UNIFICATION TASK FORCE

NATIONAL HORSE SHOW COMISSION, WALKING HORSE OWNERS ASSOCIATION, WALKING HORSE TRAINERS ASSOCIATION,  KENTUCKY HIO AND THE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED BOARD OF GOVERNANCE UNITE TO FORM AN UNPARALELLED COALITION.

SHELBYVILLE, TN – A historic coalition has been formed by five major organizations to unite behind an initiative to establish a super HIO concept by taking the best from the current HIOs and adding the concepts, advice and counsel of leading equine veterinarians from various disciplines. The coalition was formed to address problems and devise permanent solutions in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.

This Super HIO will be structured to insure a fair, and medically correct exam utilizing approved medical techniques and procedures; establish an independent compliance division; and define procedures to address rules, judges and such other initiatives required to establish a transparent, accountable, demonstrative and fair environment for exhibitors, show managers, judges, DQP’s and most importantly, the horse.

The coalition is comprised of the Walking Horse Trainers Association, the National Horse Show Commission, the Walking Horse Owners Association, the Board of Governance, and Kentucky’s Horse Industry Organization.  In agreeing to address the entire HIO program, the coalition has appointed a blue-ribbon taskforce to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each program.

Members of the Unification Task Force include: Neal Holland of the Board of Governance, Charles Gleghorn of the Board of Governance, Jackie Brown of the Kentucky HIO,  David Landrum of the Walking Horse Trainers Association, Alan Callaway of the Walking Horse Trainers Association, David Pruitt of the National Horse Show Commission, and Frank Neal of the National Horse Show Commission.

Members of the Task Force will utilize the best ideas and programs of each organization to amplify the quality assurance through the implementation of programs utilizing the advice, research and recommendations obtained during an intense 6 month investigative process.

Neal Holland, Chairman of the Task Force, challenged all members and their respective organizations to bring to the group a commitment to establish such improvements in a unified plan that insures the implementation and adherence to the mission statement endorsed by each organization included in this group, and also endorsed by the Tennessee National Walking Horse Celebration.
 
Holland further announced that APHIS, Dr. Douglas Corey, DVM & Dr. Jerry Johnson, DVM have agreed to act as advisors to the coalition.  It is the intent that during the scheduled July 25th meeting further enhancements and initiatives can be presented to the advisors for their reaction and input.