TWHBEA To Host Show and Name World Grand Champion
Friday, September 22, 2006
Copyright WHR 2006
LEWISBURG, Tenn. (Sept. 21, 2006) -- The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association announced today that it will host a world-class fall horse show, The Tennessee Walking Horse Invitational, at which the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association 2006 World Grand Champion will be crowned.
The Tennessee Walking Horse Invitational will be held Nov. 24 and 25 at Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The show will be comprised of more than 50 classes over the two-day period and will culminate in the final class from which the TWHBEA World Grand Champion will be named.
The Tennessee Walking Horse Invitational will be the richest two-day event in the industry with a total purse of $150,000 with the World Grand Champion receiving a $15,000 prize.
“A healthy show industry is critical to the continued success of our breed,” said Jerrold Pedigo, president of TWHBEA. “The World Grand Champion is the pinnacle of success that we all strive to achieve. As breed Registrar, it is our responsibility to ensure that we continue to have a champion that represents the more than 18,000 members and 300,000 horses of our Association, and we believe The Tennessee Walking Horse Invitational is an ideal venue to showcase the breed and the entire industry is invited to come and compete.”
Pedigo explained that the show circuit is one of the most important ways that the breed gains popularity among the general public and horse enthusiasts. When some shows were cancelled in light of the events at the National Celebration, breeders and trainers as well as the communities and organizations that host shows were negatively impacted.
“The Tennessee Walking Horse Invitational is a venue for show horses to exhibit their talents and compete, which is one of the best ways to support this breed and ensure the health of the industry,” he said.
“As breed Registrar, TWHBEA is working to establish standards for the entire show industry that includes one rulebook, trained judges and a fair and equitable inspection process,” Pedigo explained.
The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA), 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.