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WHOA LOOKS
FORWARD TO 2010
The Walking Horse
Owners’ Association (WHOA) is looking forward to 2010
with many positive changes for its membership. WHOA will
no longer issue Amateur Cards in 2010 but will encourage
membership to WHOA by offering a variety of services and
benefits. On October 30, 2009 the WHOA Board of
Directors voted to implement a Horse Show Development
Program for 2010. This program will work toward a goal
of increasing WHOA events from 29 in 2009 to over 75
WHOA sanctioned events in 2010. These events will be for
all disciplines of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed
including Pleasure, Performance, Versatility and Youth
activities. WHOA will affiliate events with many
different HIO’s depending on the area of the country and
the discipline involved. This will ensure the Walking
Horse to be showcased around the country and expand the
marketability of our horse. Exhibitors at WHOA
sanctioned events will be required to have a current
WHOA membership. “We are excited to offer this service
to our members and to the industry. I am encouraged by
the outreach of people with the desire to start new
shows and appreciate everyone for joining WHOA in 2010
to help make the goals for the owners’ association a
reality,” said WHOA President Frank Neal.
The WHOA Board of
Directors also approved the implementation of a WHOA HIO
for 2010. This will give the owners a voice in USDA
negotiations as well as offer the membership first hand
knowledge of any changes made by the USDA or any HIO
across the country regarding inspections. The WHOA HIO
will not affiliate shows with the exception of smaller
WHOA sanctioned events in areas where no HIO is
currently available. WHOA will continue to emphasize the
promotion of the sound Tennessee Walking show horse at
all sanctioned events. WHOA looks forward to working
with all HIOs to ensure WHOA members are represented
with equal voice. “We may not always agree on every
issue but our members have one thing in common, and that
is the love of showing the Tennessee Walking Horse. WHOA
wants to unite our industry on that theme and help
create new venues for our horse,” said WHOA Executive
Director Tommy Hall.
On December 3,
2009 the WHOA Board voted to enter into a contract with
Ron Thomas starting January 1, 2010 to develop a
Sponsorship Program for WHOA.
Thomas' company, Clear Solutions, will
work on commission basis. Thomas served as CEO of the
Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration for 24
years. During his tenure he created the event’s
sponsorship program, which raised over $16 million in
revenue. For the past two years he has been under a non
compete agreement, which expires in late December. "It
will be very exciting to work with WHOA to help them
implement new goals and initiatives. A strong
representation of owners is critical to the success of
our industry. As WHOA’s shows, including the
International Grand Championship, grow and are more
successful, the industry will also benefit. I look
forward to the opportunity and the challenge of helping
improve show ring success and participation,” said
Thomas.
WHOA is
committed to supporting its membership in 2010 by
offering:
● 75+ WHOA
sanctioned shows and events across the country for
members in 2010
●
International Grand Championship Walking Horse Shows
since 1978
● WHOA
National High Point Program for the industry since 1976
open to all HIOs
● WHOA Quest
Program for Amateur and Youth Rider High Points open to
all HIOs
● WHOA
Register Of Merit program
● Academy
Program introducing new riders to the breed since 2002
● WHOA Youth
Events and Camps
For 2010 WHOA
members will also benefit by receiving discount coupons
and incentives from nationwide and industry related
companies. Details on the many discounts available to
WHOA members for 2010 will be announced in early
January. “We look forward to a great 2010. Our mission
is to promote the breed and offer new and exciting
opportunities for WHOA members. We hope to gain new
members from across the country by our endeavors in
2010. If you have suggestions or ideas feel free to let
us know. WHOA is here for you,” said WHOA Marketing
Director Mark Taylor.
To join WHOA or for more
information visit
www.walkinghorseowners.com or call 615-494-8822.
TWHBEA INFO:
The 2010 TWHBEA Executive Committee is as
follows:
President – David Pruett, TN
Senior Vice President – Dee Dee Sale, TN
VP Admin/Fiscal/Audit – Rob Cornelius, AL
VP Breeders – Jack Heffington, TN
VP Enforcement – Kasey Kesselring, FL
VP Horse Shows – Bruce Vaughn, OH
VP Marketing – Marty Irby, TN
VP Owners/Exhibitors – Stephen Brown, WA
VP Performance Horse – Ty Irby, AL
VP Pleasure Horse – Rick Weis, MT
VP Training – Wayne Dean, TN
VP Member At Large Bylaws – Lloyd Hall (Buster) Black,
GA
VP Member At Large Youth – Margo Urad, TX
VP Equine Welfare – Dr. Linda Montgomery, AL
Secretary – Sharon Brandon |
