Editors' Note: The following clarification was submitted by the chairpersons of the SHOW Judges Committee and Rules Committee in order to answer questions regarding the purpose and authority of each committee.

UNDERSTANDING THE COMMITTEES BEHIND S.H.O.W.

There are two main committees operating on behalf of SHOW to help streamline any issues or rule changes that may arise during a show season, the Judges Committee and the Rules Committee. Both committees are volunteer based and are comprised of individuals with a passion for the breed who want to see the industry advance in positive directions. Each committee member agrees to work towards the development and enforcement of the rules as they pertain to the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry.

Countless hours are put into handling issues, rewriting and revising rules, and answering emails, texts and calls.  In most situations, the committees work independently of each other but there are occasions where they work jointly when rule changes and modifications can affect both committees.

JUDGES COMMITTEE

The Judges Committee was formed to review and address judging evaluations and other judging issues that may arise and to establish an efficient and consistent form for handling any issues. This committee has the responsibility to educate and offer guidance to the current judges and new applicants as well as conducting seminars and refresher courses for continuing education purposes. The committee also continually reviews the standards, rules and regulations that affect the judging and make recommendations to the SHOW Executive Committee if a change needs to be made.

The Judges Committee consists of four experienced Master Judges, whose primary occupation is outside of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, and at least one member that holds a judging license in another breed or a retired Master Judge from the Walking Horse industry.  One member will be named as the committee chairperson by the Executive Committee. Each committee member holds a three year term and rotates off after their term is up. A committee member can request to stay on for one additional term if approved by the Executive Committee (EC) but must sit out one year after serving two consecutive terms.

The Chairperson will be the contact person for the SHOW Secretary and the SHOW Executive Committee. The Chairperson’s responsibilities include notifying the committee when there are issues to be reviewed and addressed and recording votes in decisions made by the committee. The Chairperson then notifies the EC of the Judges Committee’s recommendations. From there, the EC then makes the final decision when there is an issue involving judging or if there is a proposed rule change or modification that affects the Judges Section of the SHOW Rule Book. The EC may not always follow the recommendation of the committee and may modify their final decision from that of the recommendation. The chairperson also gives monthly committee reports to the SHOW Board.


RULES COMMITTEE

The Rules Committee handles all issues pertaining to the SHOW Rule Book. This includes responding to questions, clarifications, and complaints that exhibitors, owners and trainers may have throughout the show season. The committee is constantly reviewing, and working on modifications and clarifications to the current Rule Book. 

The committee consists of eight members that include owners, exhibitors, breeders, and trainers. Like the Judges Committee, each member holds a three year term and rotates off after their term is up. A committee member rotating off can request to stay on for an additional term if approved by the EC.

This committee also has a Chairperson that is the contact between the SHOW Secretary and the SHOW EC. Their responsibilities include notifying the committee when a rule violation has occurred or if a rule clarification needs to be made, gathering the votes from the committee and forwarding any of the committee’s recommendations to the EC for the EC’s final approval. Again, the EC may or may not take the committee’s recommendation as proposed and may make modifications as they feel necessary. The chairperson also gives monthly reports to the SHOW Board with any issues the committee has addressed.


Anyone may contact either committee via the SHOW Secretary, Rachel Reed, if there are questions or issues they would like reviewed at 931-684-9506 or [email protected].