MURFREESBORO, TENN -- The Walking Horse Owners’ Association (WHOA) would like to commend the leadership of the Celebration, the National Horse Show Commission and the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association during this past weekend’s events at the Celebration.  “Our industry was united and worked together to quickly get our World Championship show back on track,” says Tommy Hall, WHOA executive director.  “It was an unfortunate incident for the Celebration and the thousands of  walking horse enthusiasts that travel to Shelbyville for the show, but we salute the volunteers who serve on the Celebration Board of Directors and other industry leaders for using common sense and good judgment to insure the ‘show will go on.’”
    Hall acknowledges that there is still work to be done.  “We remain committed to continuing dialog with the USDA and other industry organizations to make sure this type of incident doesn’t happen again.  We all want the same thing - to insure the protection and welfare of our horses and to provide a fair and consistent show environment.”

The Walking Horse Owners’ Association is headquartered in Murfreesboro, Tennessee at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum.  Their mission is to vigorously represent the interest of all owners, amateurs and members in all matters pertaining to the Tennessee Walking Horse; to advocate for fair play and equal treatment of all owners, amateurs and members; to promote the well-being of the Tennessee Walking Horse so as to ensure the humane treatment of all Tennessee Walking Horses; to aid in the development of standards and rules which will eliminate unfair or unlawful practices.