LEWISBURG, Tenn. – In its ongoing commitment to the long-term financial health of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA), the Association’s Executive Committee unanimously decided to no longer offer  free foal registration or free transfer of ownership.

This new rule will take effect February 20, 2014 and will only apply to new memberships and renewals. It will not apply to Lifetime Members or to anyone purchasing a Lifetime Membership between now and May 24, 2014, the date of TWHBEA’s Semi-Annual Board of Directors’ meeting.

In addition, current members can still claim their unused free registration or free transfer until their membership expires. Those individuals with expired memberships have until February 20, 2014 to rejoin and ensure the free membership or free transfer option for one more membership cycle.

Last year alone, TWHBEA gave away more than $88,000 in free registration and transfer fees.  “This was a tough, yet necessary decision on the part of the Executive Committee,” said Executive Director Tracy Boyd. “It was the financially prudent thing to do. TWHBEA will honor all of its current membership contracts as this new rule will only affect those individuals who renew or join after February 20.”