April 2, 2012 Shelbyville, Tenn. – The Unified Horse Show Development Program (UHDP), an arm of the Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse (FAST), is pleased to announce they have awarded the Alabama Ladies Auxiliary a grant to assist with their horse show in Baileyton, Ala. on May 5, 2012. The Parkside School Athletic Booster Club is a co-host of the horse show along with the Alabama Ladies Auxiliary.
“We are pleased to assist in strengthening this show with the Alabama Ladies Auxiliary. Horse shows are the base of our breed. Shows are what introduce people to our horse and influence breeding directions in our industry. Keeping shows healthy enables the Tennessee Walking Horse industry to grow. UHDP and FAST appreciate the efforts of the Auxiliary and other groups that put on Walking Horse show,” said UHDP Chair Diana McMurtrey. Previously this year, UHDP announced a grant to help with horse shows in Mississippi and Iowa.
The Alabama Ladies Auxiliary and Parkside School Athletic Booster Club Horse Show will be affiliated with the PRIDE HIO. This is the inaugural year for the horse show in Baileyton, Al show and it will be managed by Valerie Smith and J.T. Scott. The 36-class schedule features both pleasure and performance Tennessee Walking Horse classes.
The UHDP program was started less than one year ago and the Alabama Ladies Auxiliary and Parkside School Athletic Booster Club show marks the sixth horse show supported by UHDP.
The UHDP was formed to assist new horse show development as well as help existing shows that need financial aid. The group will also seek to revitalize previous Walking Horse venues and help with walking horse events across the nation. The UHDP will focus its aid to horse shows primarily outside of the states of Tennessee and Kentucky. Horse events and shows will have to apply to the UHDP for financial aid. Applications can be found at www.fastwalkingshowhorse.org.
The program also includes a mentoring program. UHDP will offer mentoring services to groups that request help with organizing their shows and putting together events. The UHDP and FAST proudly promote all show disciplines of the Tennessee Walking Horse.