Copyright WHR 2006

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - The newly created Advisory Committee of the Walking Horse Trainers Association conducted its first meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12. This group was formed by the WHTA Board of Directors at its board meeting on Sept. 7 to identify key goals for the organization and implement strategy to meet these goals.

Charles R. Terry, a renowned attorney and longtime Walking Horse advocate from Morristown, Tenn., oversees the committee. Terry was named by the Board as the association's official advisor.

“The Walking Horse trainers need to have a voice in the future of our industry. We have gathered an excellent committee that will work diligently to serve the needs of our membership,” said Terry.

Members of the committee include Wink Groover (chairman) of Longview, Texas; Link Webb of Lewisburg, Tenn.; Mack Motes of Eagleville, Tenn.; Justin Jenne of Shelbyville, Tenn.; Leigh Bennett of Alvaton, Kent.; and Allan Callaway of Shelbyville, Tenn.

At the Sept. 12 meeting, this committee affirmed the need to create an open line of communication between the association and its members. “For us to be successful and impactful as an organization, our members have to be informed and involved,” said Terry. “We are immediately implementing a system to communicate to our members on a regular basis.”

The committee is also going to work with Alday Communications, Inc., a Franklin, Tenn.-based public relations firm, to create an ongoing campaign to educate the industry and the general public about trainers' efforts to be in compliance with all rules and regulations as well as to spread good news about the trainers.

Based in Shelbyville, the Walking Horse Trainers Association was founded in 1968. Its mission is to promote and develop activities on behalf of and in the interest of the members of its association. More information can be found at www.walkinghorsetrainers.com.