SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. (August 22, 2006) – The richest one-day event in the entire Walking Horse industry – the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association National Futurity – will kick off 11 days of competition that bring together the best in the walking horse world to compete for numerous honors at both the National Futurity and the other classes at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.
In its 68th year, the TWHBEA National Futurity showcases the rising stars of the walking horse breed. To enter, the horse must be between the ages of weanling and three years old and, unlike any other event at the Celebration, horses must be nominated to be eligible to enter.
“It’s been a long time since Allan F-1, the founding sire, first amazed the original organizers of this breed with his grace and distinct gait,” said Jerrold Pedigo, president of TWHBEA. “Events like the Futurity remind us what our breed should still strive to accomplish – perfection in all riding disciplines, all with one amazing horse.”
The Futurity begins at 5:30 p.m. on August 23 in the Calsonic Arena on the Celebration grounds in Shelbyville, Tenn. For the first time, the Futurity will be aired live on a pay-per-view internet webcast beginning at 5 p.m. – including interviews with the TWHBEA executive staff.
“One of the purposes of our organization is to ensure the strong future of our industry,” said Pedigo. “It all starts with the young horses you’ll see in the TWHBEA National Futurity.”
TWHBEA recently wrote a comprehensive Sanctioning Plan that calls for the adoption of national standards for the show industry and would ensure compliance with the Horse Protection Act (1970).
“We aim to provide a solid foundation of consistent, uniform standards for the Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH) show ring that will further protect our horses while promoting the industry,” said Pedigo. “Above all, we shall be compliant with the Horse Protection Act and, through the Sanctioning Plan, we have the opportunity to grow and prosper beyond our past expectations.”
The Sanctioning Plan provides for:
· One rule book
· Uniform inspection procedures
· Trained judges and uniform judging criteria
All other Tennessee Walking Horse Industry Organizations (HIOs) are encouraged to join TWHBEA in making the commitment to the Sanctioning Plan.
The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' AssociationSM (TWHBEASM), headquartered in Lewisburg, Tenn., is the oldest and most prestigious organization devoted to the promotion of the breed. Founded in 1935, the breed registry was established to record the pedigrees of the Tennessee Walking Horse. Its goal is to maintain the purity of the breed, to promote greater awareness of the Tennessee Walking Horse and its qualities, to encourage expansion of the breed and to help assure its general welfare. For more information, visit www.twhbea.com.