MURFREESBORO, TENN -- Three of the World Grand Champions crowned at last month’s Celebration will exhibit this week at the International Grand Championship Walking Horse Show in Murfreesboro. The exhibitions will feature STAR, 2006 Four-Year-Old WGC; THE SKY COMMAND, 2006 Owner-Amateur Specialty WGC; and GEN ON THE RUN, 2005 Two-Year-Old WGC and 2006 Three-Year-Old WGC. All three exhibitions will be during Saturday night’s performance at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum.
The International, which runs Thursday through Saturday this week, has established itself as one of the premier shows in the Walking Horse industry. A win at the International is one of the most prestigious titles a horse can earn. “The last two World Grand Champions were International Grand Champions first - that’s the caliber of horses we have here,” says Tommy Hall, show manager. Since the International began in 1979 a total of five International Grand Champions have gone on to be crowned World Grand Champions at the Celebration.
According to Hall, the past several years have been banner years for the show. That success has not gone unnoticed by Walking Horse enthusiasts. Last year the International was voted “Best Multi-Night Horse Show” by the readers of the Walking Horse Report and in 2004 was voted “Horse Show of the Year” by the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association and “Best Multi-Night Show” by the readers of the Voice Magazine.
Visitors to the International have to come to expect the top Walking Horses in the world competing in the show ring, and this year is expected to continue that tradition. Several new attractions await visitors to this year’s show including a Kid’s Zone, presented by Bob Parks Realty, and an Arts and Crafts Fair. The Kid’s Zone will have free pony rides and face painting. Visitors can also browse booths featuring western wear, jewelry, apparel and the work of local artists. On Saturday there will be demonstrations on woodworking, sheep sheering and the making of horse shoes. The Kid’s Zone and Arts and Crafts Fair will open at 4:00 pm on Thursday and Friday and Noon on Saturday. The horse show begins at 7:00 pm each evening. Admission is free until 6:00 pm each day; after 6 general admission is $5 for everyone 12 years of age and older.
For more information on the show, call 615-494-8822 or visit www.walkinghorseowners.com. The Tennessee Miller Coliseum is located at 304 W. Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, right across from Siegel Middle School.