Welcomes you to a great show
July 18-27, 2024
Thank you to everyone that participated in the 45th International
The show was a great success with 1,917 entries. This year's show was up 6% over last year and the number of Horses participating was also up 20%. And for the first time all stalls and camper spots were sold out.
To say we are grateful is an understatement. We couldn't have done this without all the great Sponsors, Owners, Trainers and the many volunteers that make this show possible each and every year.
THANK YOU!!
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WHOA International Judges Announcement 46th Annual Pleasure & Colt Grand Championship TBA |
The Walking Horse Owners' Association will announce ballots to select Judge's for the 46th Annual International Grand Championship will be announced in 2024.. |
Program - 2023 International Pleasure & Colt Grand Championship
Additional 2023 International Sponsors
PRE-ENTRIES REQUIRED - No reservations are taken through the WHOA office
2024 Rules, Deadlines Regulations, Shoe Chart, Fees TBA
How to sign-up for show using Horse Shows Online
2024 International Class Schedule TBA
Patterns Showmanship, Equitation, 4-H
Patterns Trail Obstacle, Western Riding, Reining
Horse Shows Online - Tips for Trainers
Register for show: HORSESHOWSONLINE.COM TBA
Changes to entries or reservations other than Elite Stall Mat, use the Horse Shows Online link - use for any changes that need to be made after a horse is entered – to add classes, scratch classes, change classes and change exhibitors.
The Maiden LLC - Guidelines - Closed
WHOA Introduces the All Day Pleasure Challenge
PATTERN - All Day Pleasure Challenge
Reserve Elite Stall Mat Rentals Here
STALL ASSIGNMENTS
CAMPER ASSIGNMENTS
FOOD VENDORS - MENU
2024 International Sponsor (Printable Form) Sponsorship - Must be paid in advance
Show Patterns will be available in the Show Office
If you do not know your WHOA Membership Number please call/email the WHOA Office at 615-494-8822, 8-4 pm cst, join on-line or login to Wild Apricot.
MTSU Camper Map
Scott's Septic Service, RV Sanitation service. Sign up for service in Show Room. Cash or check. Next service date Friday, July 28th.
Golf Cart Rental Mikey's Motors
Host Hotel: None
Join WHOA using Wild Apricot (log-in) Printable membership card. Membership required for owners to qualify to earn WHOA High Points.
HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL
The first International Championship Show was held in 1979 at the Old Fort Park in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The show was the creation of the newly formed Walking Horse Owners Association (WHOA).
The founders of WHOA realized that for any organization to succeed it not only needed a purpose, but also needed to sponsor activities in order to demonstrate and support that purpose, and so The International Championship was conceived.
The support for that first show was very encouraging. Most of the top show horses in the industry participated that first year. One of the biggest supporters was the Kentucky Walking Horse Association. In fact the International Grand Champion that first year was “The Pusher CG” owned by Joe Dietz; this roan stallion went on to be crowned the World Grand Champion.
Over the next few years participation grew in this prestigious event. Year after year, winners of the International went on to win consistently at the Celebration, where ''the best meet the best ''. In fact, several International Grand Championship winners have gone on to capture the World Grand Championship in Shelbyville, TN. These winners include The Pusher CG, Pride's Jubilee Star, Dark Spirit's Rebel, The Black Night Shade, Main Power, Santana’s El Nino, and The Coach.
The men & women who started the International Championship Show poured thousands of dollars of their personal funds in to the endeavor, and many great horses from throughout the nation helped to give this new show an enigmatic start. In a short time it was recognized as one of the most prestigious shows in this industry, second only to the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.
Pleasure horses, as well as performance horses, have always played an important role in the life of the International Walking Horse Show. The International is proud to have been instrumental in the development of the Pleasure Horse Division and the popularity it enjoys today. Exhibitors from throughout the nation recognize the International as the leading Championship Show for the Pleasure Tennessee Walking Horse.
The change in the physical location of the International over the years has some real significance. From its beginning in 1979 at Old Fort Park in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the show moved to the Livestock Center of Middle Tennessee State University in 1988 where it enjoyed a large indoor facility for many years. In the early 1990's MTSU was awarded, through the estate of John C. and Mary Miller of Lewisburg, Tennessee and Anchorage, Alaska, to receive a gift of twenty million plus dollars for the construction of a horse facility in Murfreesboro, TN. The Millers were noted organizers and supporters of the Walking Horse Owners' Association and the International Grand Championship Walking Horse Show. Following Mary's death, this generous donation was used to construct the state of the art facility known as Tennessee Miller Coliseum in memory of her late husband who died in 1984. While the Miller Coliseum was being built during 2001 and 2002, the performance International Horse Show moved to the Williamson County Expo Park in Franklin, Tennessee due to the need for an additional show date that was not available at MTSU. The 2003 edition of the International not only celebrated its 25th Anniversary but also the culmination of a long awaited home for the International Walking Horse Shows.
The Miller Coliseum and the accompanying buildings are an unparalleled venue for equine competition.
The arena has been the site of the National Equitation Championship show for colleges and universities throughout America, and many other equine events of national acclaim are scheduled each year at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum as well.
Over the years the format of the show has varied in several ways. For several years the owners who participated in the International Horse Show had an opportunity to select the judges who officiated the following year. Prospective judges were contracted to determine their availability and were then placed on the official judge’s ballot and voted on. This method of selecting judges proved popular over the years.
Board members of the Walking Horse Owners' Association serve to assist the show manager by helping to raise sponsorship funds and organizing a silent auction that takes place during the show. The Board and WHOA staff, as well as the citizens of Murfreesboro, welcome all owners, trainers, and visitors to the International and wish you all the best of luck.