(Copyright, 2006, Walking Horse Report)
TWHBEA President Jerrold Pedigo sent the following response to the two letters sent to the Association from the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.
Mr. John T. Bobo, Chairman
The Celebration
Post Office Box 1010
Shelbyville, TN 37162
Dear John T.:
Thank you for the opportunity to meet with The Celebration Board of Directors and for your letters of June 23 and June 30, 2006. I want to express my personal gratitude for The Celebration's willingness, commitment, and acceptance of a partnership with TWHBEA. I look forward to the multitude of resulting benefits to be enjoyed by the Tennessee Walking Horse and the entire walking horse industry. Additionally, your endorsement of our HIO Sanctioning Plan will undoubtedly be the catalyst in unifying the industry under one rule book, one judging criteria, and one effective consistent inspection process. As partners, with the benefit of input and direction from the National Horse Protection Society, I am convinced that, together, despite resistance from any segment, we will be successful in implementing the necessary changes that will lead to eliminating the practice of soring, elevating our breed and industry to further prominence and credibility, and providing stability which will lead to growth and prosperity for all of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.
It is with great anticipation that I view the balance of the thirty day period set forth in your letter of June 23. I pledge my personal commitment of time and effort to finalize the modifications of our HIO Sanctioning Plan in order for the industry to move forward. I suggest that we continue our dialogue on a daily basis and after the holiday meet every day as deemed necessary. The Celebration's suggestion of and commitment to this process is indeed admirable.
The Celebration's request of TWHBEA contained in your letter of June 23rd will be revisited and plans finalized in TWHBEA's Executive Committee meeting on Monday July 3, 2006. At the conclusion of the meeting, I will consult with you in regard to the decisions.
Again, I thank you and am excited by the opportunity.
Sincerely,
Jerrold Don Pedigo
President