Thursday, 09/21/06

Walking horse breeders to stage world championship in November

The largest Tennessee walking horse organization says it will hold a new event in November to name a grand champion, after the breed's annual show in Shelbyville ended in controversy amid federal inspections for animal abuse.

The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association told The Associated Press today that it planned the new event after several top horses were disqualified from the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration held Aug. 23 to Sept. 2.

Organizers said the show would be held Nov. 24 and 25 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, offering a total purse of $150,000.

Only three of nine horses in the World Grand Championship class passed a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection and a top horse owner was banned for two years after offering to pay those three trainers not to compete.

The USDA inspects walking horses for signs of soring, the practice of irritating the horse's foreleg and hoof to force the high-stepping gait known as the "Big Lick."

The association, which also serves as the breed's registry, wanted to name a top horse this year to dampen any negative publicity that resulted from not naming a champion at the Celebration, president Jerrold Pedigo told the AP.

"The world grand champion becomes the face of our industry for 12 months," Pedigo said. "We have an obligation to continue such a grand tradition."

A similar show scheduled for this week in Kentucky was canceled as well.

Pedigo said he believes walking horse enthusiasts will continue to support the show circuit, which is very important to the breed.

"It's disappointing to see shows that have chosen not to continue, but we need to continue to provide successful venues for people to show these horses," Pedigo said.

The Tennessee Walking Horse Invitational will comprise 50 different classes with the final class naming the world grand champion for a purse of $15,000.

The inspection process will follow USDA guidelines with no difference from any other TWHBEA show, Pedigo said.

"The inspections will be in compliance with the Horse Protection Act," Pedigo said.

Post a Comment   View All Comments This is sad to me because one of the three that should have competed at the Celebration has died. MG Above the Rest died of colic yesterday. Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:55 pm Post a Comment   View All Comments