2008 Woodie Awards
National horse championship canters through Murfreesboro
Angelea Smith
Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: News
Coming from barns spanning the county, 1,400 horses are expected to make appearances at the National Walking Horse Association 2006 National Championship that started Wednesday.
"We have entries from across the country, including Pennsylvania, Indiana, Florida, Georgia, Texas and Kentucky," said Connie Holbrook, the NWHA 2006 Show Co-Chairperson.
The show will feature a variety of attractions including the best of the flat shod Tennessee walking horse, naturally gaited horses and an auction to benefit the Association.
"This is our fifth one, and it is the biggest turn out ever. There are a record number of stalls reserved," said Val Delana, a volunteer member on the NWHA board.
The show is being held in Murfreesboro for the third time due to its central location and the accessibility to its members and participants.
In a recent controversy in Shelbyville, showings dealt with illegal tactics used on the horse to make the natural gait better. The tactic used is known as soring.
The Association's main purpose is to eliminate soring, and they have a zero tolerance policy for soring, in addition to an excellent record of enforcing this policy, Delana said.
"It is sad to say, but that should not be a surprise," Delana said. "Kentucky and Missouri shows have been canceled. It isn't as many trainers as before using these illegal tactics and it has gotten better, but better is not good enough. The things that some people will do to win, it is not right at all."
The Association has always followed the United States Department of Agriculture guidelines and will continue the same at all their shows across the country, Delana said.
"If you have nothing to hide, there is no problem with the USDA inspection," Holbrook said. "We have nothing but respect for any organization and department who promotes the welfare of our beautiful horses."
The National Walking Horse Association was founded in 1998 and is an alliance of people committed to preserving the natural abilities and welfare of the walking horse.
They host a national walking horse championship ever year.
"There will be many horse vendors and non-horse vendors, as well as the Tennessee Black Horse Drill Team Performing," Delana said. "The show will open with the NWHA flag team. I am very excited and I can't wait."
The show will feature 131 different classes, many different vendors and a wide variety of trainers and performances.
The Championship starts at noon each day and will be held at Murfreesboro's Miller's Coliseum. The competition will end Saturday.
"We have entries from across the country, including Pennsylvania, Indiana, Florida, Georgia, Texas and Kentucky," said Connie Holbrook, the NWHA 2006 Show Co-Chairperson.
The show will feature a variety of attractions including the best of the flat shod Tennessee walking horse, naturally gaited horses and an auction to benefit the Association.
"This is our fifth one, and it is the biggest turn out ever. There are a record number of stalls reserved," said Val Delana, a volunteer member on the NWHA board.
The show is being held in Murfreesboro for the third time due to its central location and the accessibility to its members and participants.
In a recent controversy in Shelbyville, showings dealt with illegal tactics used on the horse to make the natural gait better. The tactic used is known as soring.
The Association's main purpose is to eliminate soring, and they have a zero tolerance policy for soring, in addition to an excellent record of enforcing this policy, Delana said.
"It is sad to say, but that should not be a surprise," Delana said. "Kentucky and Missouri shows have been canceled. It isn't as many trainers as before using these illegal tactics and it has gotten better, but better is not good enough. The things that some people will do to win, it is not right at all."
The Association has always followed the United States Department of Agriculture guidelines and will continue the same at all their shows across the country, Delana said.
"If you have nothing to hide, there is no problem with the USDA inspection," Holbrook said. "We have nothing but respect for any organization and department who promotes the welfare of our beautiful horses."
The National Walking Horse Association was founded in 1998 and is an alliance of people committed to preserving the natural abilities and welfare of the walking horse.
They host a national walking horse championship ever year.
"There will be many horse vendors and non-horse vendors, as well as the Tennessee Black Horse Drill Team Performing," Delana said. "The show will open with the NWHA flag team. I am very excited and I can't wait."
The show will feature 131 different classes, many different vendors and a wide variety of trainers and performances.
The Championship starts at noon each day and will be held at Murfreesboro's Miller's Coliseum. The competition will end Saturday.
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