SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The SHOW HIO will host an open industry forum before the Saturday night performance of the 2010 Spring Fun Show, May 29, 2010.  The forum will take place on the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration show grounds in the Calsonic Arena Hall of Fame room.  The forum will begin at 4:30PM CST with the Saturday night performance to follow at 6:00PM CST in the outdoor arena.

The SHOW HIO began operations in April 2009 and has now been in operation for over a year.  The HIO held a forum similar to this before the beginning of the 2009 Celebration.  The forum was well-attended and was helpful for industry participants to get an update on the progress and evolution of the SHOW HIO.

Moderating the industry forum will be Frank Eichler, an instrumental figure in the formation of SHOW and its strategic plan.   SHOW released a new rule book in 2010 as well as implemented new judging standards.   Dr. Stephen L. Mullins, President of SHOW and Tony Edwards, DQP Coordinator for SHOW will be attendance.  The intent of the forum is designed to allow industry participants to ask questions on items they would like clarification or haven’t been given the answers to previously. The forum will be kept to one hour and attendees will be able to move across the show grounds in plenty of time to see opening ceremonies for the Saturday performance of the Spring Fun Show.

A review of the SHOW HIO’s formation and accomplishments through its first year will be given along with an update of the strategic direction for its future.  Updates will be given on the number of horse shows that have been affiliated as well as the compliance of those entries.  SHOW recently released that 97.8% of entries at SHOW affiliated events have been in compliance with the Horse Protection Act.