Link Webb, President of the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association and Chairman of the National Horse Show Commission, would like to clarify the content of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) clinic on February 27, 2009 at the Calsonic Arena in Shelbyville. 

“After the VMO/DQP joint training session, many questions were asked about the enforcement of the scar rule in 2009.  At that time I thought it would be a good idea to have a scar rule clinic in conjunction with the already planned thermography clinic scheduled for February 27, 2009.  Andy Messick and Frank Neal have asked Dr. Rachel Cezar for the opportunity to combine these two clinics on the 27th, however because of scheduling conflicts, the USDA has declined that request and will only have a thermography clinic on the 27th.  Dr. Cezar has agreed to do a scar rule clinic on either March 28, 2009 or April 4, 2009,” said Webb.

In the last two months the USDA has made presentations at the VMO/DQP joint training and Walking Horse Owners’ Association (WHOA) regarding its enhanced inspection procedures in 2009.  At the WHOA meeting, Dr. Cezar and Dr. Chester Gipson conducted a question and answer session regarding these inspection procedures.  At that meeting, they agreed to host a scar rule clinic.  The need for this clinic before the 2009 horse show season is critical.  The 2009 Trainers’ Show is scheduled for March 18-21, 2009 at the Calsonic Arena in Shelbyville, Tenn.