SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The SHOW HIO has announced the fees for its 2011 SHOW Horse Cards. An annual card will be $150.00, up from $100.00 in 2010, and a day card will be $50.00, up from $25.00 in 2010. The increases were announced as a result of a 15-month commitment of just under $500,000.00 from the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration to the SHOW HIO for operating expenses.
“The Celebration board was asked by industry associations to start the SHOW HIO and we remain committed to its continued operation, however we simply can’t continue to put The Celebration in financial jeopardy by continuing to fund SHOW to the tune of over $300,000.00 annually,” said Celebration CEO Dr. Doyle Meadows. He continued, “It is our goal for SHOW to become self-funding and not be a financial burden to The Celebration as we move forward. However, until enough horse shows and horses affiliate with SHOW we feel obligated to the industry to continue its operation. If the industry rebounds, horse shows affiliate and more horses enter at those shows, stakeholders will see a decline in the amount charged for horse cards moving forward.”
The SHOW HIO offers its customers a fair, consistent inspection, the best administration of any HIO in the industry, 100% non-conflicted Designated Qualified Persons (DQP), collection and utilization of critical industry data, a legal advisory team that has led the HIO through recent USDA mandates, and absolute protection of show management.
SHOW is the only HIO that is led by a full-time President that is an active member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), which was recommended in the AAEP White Paper and has incorporated a new judging panel for 2011 that will assure all judges are held to the highest standard. SHOW has held the most comprehensive DQP training in the industry, garnering such acclaim from the USDA, industry forums, owner and trainer seminars and farrier training.
“It is our goal to provide our industry with an inspection process and HIO that effectuates the purposes of the HPA and assures our industry the best chance of success in the future. Unfortunately, we can’t provide those services at no charge to our participants and we look forward to growing our HIO so that each individual participant can shoulder less of the financial burden,” said SHOW President Dr. Stephen L. Mullins.
Horses shown in the lead line class will not have to have a SHOW Horse Card nor will entries at the Academy shows. All other gaited breeds besides Tennessee Walking Horses will pay a $10 inspection fee per inspection at SHOW affiliated shows.
Another change in 2011 will be an affiliation charge of $50 for each horse show affiliating with SHOW. In 2010 there was no charge for a horse show to affiliate. Horse card renewals for those horses and owners having cards in 2010 are currently being mailed out and new horse cards can be purchased online at www.showhio.com, at the SHOW office or at affiliating horse shows. The SHOW HIO can be contacted at 931-684-9506 or 1021 Colloredo Blvd., Shelbyville, TN 37160.