SHOW HIO issued a press release on November 5 regarding further negotiations with the Walking Horse Owners' Association. Charles McDonald, representing SHOW, made a phone call to WHOA President, Frank Neal on Monday November 9. Mr. McDonald requested a meeting to continue negotiations between WHOA and SHOW pertaining to the possibility of WHOA affiliating events with SHOW HIO in 2010. Mr. Neal informed Mr. McDonald on November 12 that further negotiations would not be prudent at this time considering the fact that the WHOA Board has met and made decisions regarding this matter. “WHOA appreciates SHOW's concern but the decisions of the WHOA Board are in place and WHOA is moving forward with plans for 2010,” said President Frank Neal.
 
On October 30, 2009 the WHOA Board voted unanimously to go forward with a WHOA Horse Show Development program that would increase the number of WHOA events to at least 75 in 2010. The board also voted unanimously to give WHOA Executive Director, Tommy Hall the authority to affiliate WHOA events with any HIO necessary. This would be dependent on the area of the country and the discipline involved. “SHOW HIO will certainly be considered when affiliating WHOA events in 2010 and nothing to the contrary has been discussed. WHOA appreciates the efforts of SHOW and will continue to work with SHOW as needed,” said Neal.