In the best interest of the Walking Horse Owners' Association's constituency, and in consideration for the overall Show Horse Industry due to the APHIS threatened HIO decertification action, the WHOA Board Of Directors after discussion and consideration voted to potentially satisfy the APHIS demands that the 2011 WHOA Rule Book include the Points of Emphasis Penalty Structure for the following reasons:
First and foremost to base decisions on sound business logic.
To maintain and advance the voice of the Owners in all disciplines including performance. To keep that voice viable as it has for the past 35 years.
To assure that all disciplines including the performance horse have a certified HIO positioned to function successfully in the event other HIOs are unable to meet the USDA inspection requirements.
To assure the performance horse industry constituency will have continuing representation and a voice at Joint HIO Committee meetings with the USDA.
To assure WHOA the ability to serve its various programs for the disciplines unaffected by the APHIS mandated requirements should this action become necessary.
This action affords the ability for interaction and non-confrontational dialogue with the federal government in behalf of the Show Horse Industry.
WHOA can and will continue affiliating WHOA sponsored events with HIOs other than the WHOA HIO. Affiliation will be determined on a show by show basis. WHOA will have the option to utilize the WHOA HIO if other HIOs are unable to fulfill the necessary inspection requirements. WHOA will work to evaluate and determine which HIO will provide the best and most satisfactory service for each specific area of the country.
APHIS certified the WHOA HIO in May 2010. In accord with the APHIS requirement for activation of the HIO, a WHOA HIO affiliated horse show was held on November 27, 2010.
In 2010 the Walking Horse Owners Association’s Horse Show Development Program provided 58 WHOA Horse Shows including, 11 Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund shows, which totaled 7,209 entries in nine states. With those events WHOA affiliated horse shows as follows:
37 horse shows with the SHOW HIO
9 horse shows with the International Walking Horse Association HIO
4 horse shows with the PRIDE HIO
4 horse shows with the National Walking Horse Association HIO
2 horse shows with the Kentucky HIO
1 horse show with the Heart of America HIO
1 horse show with the WHOA HIO.
Following the May 2010 certification of the WHOA HIO, it has participated monthly in the Joint HIO Committee conference calls, DQP training, as well as communications with the USDA.
In 2011 WHOA will continue its Horse Show Development program offering as many Horse Shows as possible in as many areas of the country as possible. WHOA will continue to evaluate all programs and work towards achieving the maximum participation from Trainers, Owners, and Exhibitors.
In 2011 WHOA will continue its partnership with the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association in providing the Academy Program as well as the 2011 WHOA / TWHBEA Youth Camp. The WHOA / TWHBEA Academy events in 2011 will be affiliated with the SHOW HIO as in 2010.
In the best interest of promoting the Tennessee Walking Horse, WHOA will continue all programs presently in place, including but not exclusive to the following:
• Horse Show Development
• Versatility Program
• WHOA/TWHBEA Academy Program
• National High Point Program
• Register of Merit Program
• WHOA Quest High Point Program
• Youth Programs and The Walking Horse Owners' Youth Association
• WHOA/TWHBEA Youth Camp
For more information on WHOA go to www.walkinghorseowners.com