MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The TWHBEA Academy Show held Saturday, Jan. 27, at MTSU began with a problem. Judge Regan Mercer led the flag horse to the DQP station. The DQP Jim Singleton, trained under Donna Benefield’s Horse Protection Commission, turned the horse down, reportedly for bilateral soreness. There was a scene at the DQP station and Mercer left the arena with the horse in tow.
            Mercer loaded the horse and left the show grounds and the show had to find a replacement. Carol Smithson judged the event.
           Following the DQP inspection, Jerry Harris of What A Horse, filmed the horse outside the arena as Mercer palpated the horse. He related that the horse did not move during the filming. Craig Evans was called and he arrived at the Academy Show and went to inspections. TWHBEA President Jerrold Pedigo also arrived at the show. There were no further problems noted. A small number of padded horses showed.
            Donna Benefield, Executive Director of HPC commented on the situation, “This is a pending case and it would not be proper to discuss it with anyone. There were numerous padded horses that showed. They all passed inspection both pre-show and post-show,”
            Craig Evans said, “ I would not discuss a particular horse and findings until that owner or trainer has exhausted their due process. To discuss these matters by findings or names in advance of the final adjudication is unfair to everyone.”