The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA) is pleased to announced the Judges for the 2007 National Futurity to be held on Wednesday evening, August 22, 2007 at the Calsonic Arena in Shelbyville, TN beginning at 5:30 PM.  The Judges panel includes Tom Davis, Texas; Ronald Sapp, Tennesssee; Ken Shrum, Tennessee; Vernon Stamper, Kentucky; Leslie Topham, Utah. 

The National Futurity is the premier showcase for this breed’s youngsters and is the richest purse of any one-day event in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.  “This year represents the 69th annual National Futurity and it is the pinnacle event for the TWHBEA.  Earlier this year the TWHBEA sponsored an intensive, multi-day judges training course that had over 110 individuals submit applications to participate.  The conclusion of that event resulted in 75 highly-qualified individuals being licensed. The goal in the judging selection process for the National Futurity was to have a seasoned and diverse panel both in terms of geography and range of experience. We have assembled an exceptional group of judges and we have great confidence in their abilities to judge our Futurity.” said Chuck Cadle, TWHBEA Executive Director. 

In addition to holding a HIO Committee Sanctioning Plan license, Mr. Tom Davis from Elkhart, Texas is currently a licensed judge for Heart of America Walking Horse Association (HAWHA), Tennessee Walking Horse Shows of America (TWHSA), Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association (KMSHA), United Mountain Horse Association (UMHA) and was formerly licensed by the Kentucky Walking Horse Association (KWHA) and the Independent Judges Association (IJA).  Mr. Davis has a wealth of experience in the center of the ring.  Mr. Ronald “Ronnie” Sapp from Pikeville, Tennessee is a well-recognized Spotted Saddle Horse trainer.  In addition to the HIO Committee Sanctioning Plan license, Mr. Sapp has been licensed as a judge by the Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (SSHBEA) since 1992.  Mr. Sapp is very familiar with the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.   Mr. Ken Shrum from Murfreesboro, Tennessee has been actively involved in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry for over 40 years.  Mr. Shrum has owned several World and Reserve World Champions in both the Walking and Racking horse industries.   Mr. Shrum holds a HIO Committee Sanctioning Plan license and, in addition, has judged the International Racking Horse Championships, the Tennessee State Racking Championships and other Tennessee Walking horse one-night shows across the country.  Mr. Vernon Stamper from Sharpsburg, Kentucky has been a horse enthusiast his entire life.  He has judged and shown walking horses for over 35 years.  Mr. Stamper currently holds a HIO Committee Sanctioning Plan license in addition to licenses with the United Mountain Horse Association (UMHA), Kentucky Mountain Horse Association (KMHA) and National Walking Horse Association (NWHA).  Mrs. Leslie Topham from Lehi, Utah currently owns and operates a breeding facility for Tennessee Walking Horses and Spotted Saddle Horses.  Mrs. Topham formerly held a pleasure license with the National Horse Show Commission (NHSC).  She currently holds a HIO Committee Sanctioning Plan license.  Mrs. Topham has an abundance of knowledge across multiple breeds and currently serves as the Vice President for the Utah All Breed Horse Association.     

The 69th Annual National Futurity is being affiliated by the TWHBEA and the Show Chairman will be Chuck Cadle with Lori Puckett serving as Assistant Show Chairman.  If you have any questions or are in need of any assistant, please feel free to contact Miss Puckett at 931-359-1574.