WHOA-HIO Approved for Kentucky Horse Breeders’ Incentive Fund Eligible Shows

The Walking Horse Owners' Association (WHOA) is proud to announce that the WHOA-HIO has been approved by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to affiliate shows that are eligible to distribute prize monies from the Kentucky Horse Breeders' Incentive Fund.  With this approval, the WHOA-HIO becomes the fourth approved horse Industry organization in the program.

Established in 2005, the Kentucky Horse Breeders' Incentive Fund consists of 7 percent of all taxes collected for breeding a stallion to a mare in the state of Kentucky. The fund is often referred to as "Non-Race" because it is set aside for all other breeds to earn money competing in shows and contests, rather than racing.  Last year $223,388 was distributed to Walking Horse owners in Kentucky through the program.

Over the past several years, WHOA's presence in Kentucky has been blossoming.  It's 2015 schedule includes an impressive 11 Kentucky Horse Breeders Incentive Fund eligible shows.  With the WHOA-HIO's new status as a KHBIF approved HIO, there is little doubt that WHOA's activities in Kentucky will continue to grow.

Remembering Sam Stockett

The Walking Horse Owners’ Association (WHOA) extends its deepest condolences to the friends and family of longtime Tennessee Walking Horse enthusiast and WHOA co-founder Sam Stockett. Sam passed away the evening of October 21, 2013, at his home following an extended illness.
A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Sam Stockett began his involvement with horses at the age of five. When he was eight years old, he made his first show ring appearance aboard a Shetland pony, three years later he made the transition to Tennessee Walking Horses. He was guided in those early years by legendary horseman J. H. Noblin. His foundation in the breed was strong, leading him to a life devoted to its betterment.
As a breeder of top-quality Tennessee Walking Horses, Sam was virtually unparalleled. In 1979 he purchased the stallion that would forever cement his name in the annals of Tennessee Walking Horse history – Pride’s Royal Master. This son of Pride Of Midnight was three years old when Sam acquired him from Tom Jones of Franklin, Tennessee. Following a very successful show career, Royal Master was retired full-time to the breeding barn where he quickly made a name for himself. As a testament to Sam’s knowledge of the breed, each and every one of Royal Master’s first crop of seven foals made successful show horses. This success encouraged Sam to focus even more intently on breeding and he redoubled his efforts to assemble a band of high-caliber broodmares. By the mid to late 1980s this band included such standouts as Tiger Lilly K.C.H.C, Rock’s Romance, Bum’s Caper, and Delight’s Ideal. Crossing his mares with Royal Master, he produced contenders such as Royal Label, Royal Seal, and Royal’s Dark Bum. Additionally, Sam found a great deal of success with his second stallion Pride’s Last Recall and he was quite the master at selecting outside stallions for his mares. In recognition of his breeding acumen, Sam Stockett was selected as a Master Breeder by the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ And Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) in 2011.
Sam will be greatly missed by all who knew him and by the Tennessee Walking Horse community at large. He was a great man, a great horseman, and great ambassador for the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. His contributions to the breed were vast and he will live on via the horses he produced and their descendants.
The funeral was held Thursday, October 24, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church located at 1390 North State Street in Jackson, MS.

WHOA Announces Partnership with TWHBEA

WHOA and TWHBEA To Require Correct Registration Papers

Grace Period Ends July 1, 2013 

Lewisburg, TN - The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' And Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA) reminds all members and potential members that the current Grace Period, which allows any transfer and/or registration, no matter how delinquent, to be completed at regular stated fees without any late fees, will end on July 1, 2013.

In order to take advantage of this special, one-time offer, members must have all paperwork associated with the transaction complete by the deadline of July 1, 2013 and that paperwork must be accompanied by the appropriate payment.

As the Walking Horse Owners' Association (WHOA) will require that up-to-date, complete TWHBEA registration papers be presented for each horse entered in any WHOA affiliated show effective July 1, 2013, this is the perfect opportunity for every owner to get their paperwork in order.

TWHBEA appreciates this partnership with WHOA and the efforts their members and exhibitors are making to ensure the integrity of our breed's registry.

Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY) Proposed Congressional Bill to Alter the Horse Protection Act

 Re: Horse Protection Act

 Dear Members,

This past week Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY) introduced a bill into congress to alter the Horse Protection Act. To date it has gained the support of 22 other legislators. In summary it seeks to:

1. Eliminate the use of a weighted shoe, pad, wedge, hoof band, or other device or material at a horse show, horse exhibition, or horse sale or auction.

2. Eliminate the use of an action device on any limb of a Tennessee Walking, a Racking, or a Spotted Saddle horse at a horse show, horse exhibition, or horse sale or auction.

There are several other amendments within this proposition that would negatively impact every discipline of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse. We urge you to contact your representative by visiting this website:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr6388?utm_campaign=govtrack_email_update&utm_source=govtrack/email_update&utm_medium=email

From this site you may read the bill in its entirety as well as instantly send feedback to your district representatives by simply entering your comments and home address. Please take the time to let your representatives know that you are strongly opposed to this bill as written.