or more member shows . For this plan to work everyone would have to agree not to participate in anything other than an association show . ( 2 ) A Celebration Network — If the Celebration would set up a point system and rate all shows according to prize money and number of Walking Horse classes , they could " qualify ” all horses for the World Championship show . This would apply to all association shows as well as independent shows and could certainly provide enforcement at all levels . Anyone — exhibitor , judge , or horse show manager — that did not follow the rules would forfeit their " qualifying ” status . ( 3 ) Licensed Trainers — It has been suggested that all professional trainers be required to have a state or federal license to train and show Tennessee Walking Horses . This would certainly control this phase of the business . For years , several organizations have issued Judges ’ Licenses but with
no control over the independent shows , they have no real value . This would be the problem with Trainers ’
Licenses , too . ( 4 ) Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders ’ Association — We could empower the Breeders ’ Association to have control over all of our horse activity . To do so would require a membership vote to change the by-laws as they do not have any authority over judges , exhibitors or horse shows at the present . This plan works in several other breeds , but the structure of our Association is somewhat different from those which have such authority .
These are just a few of the many suggestions that we have had regarding the current situation in the Walking Horse business . If we are going to defeat the proposed federal legislation , which would put us all out of business , we had better have something to suggest in its place . If we don ’ t we will eventually be controlled by law , whether we like it or not .
ELLINGTON ASKS TOUGH LAW TO HALT SORING OF HORSES
EDITOR ’ S NOTE : Tennessee Governor Buford Ellington , in a surprise move , recently came out with proposed state legislation that would prevent the practice of soring Walking Horses for showring purposes . The following AP article appeared September 30 in the nation ’ s news media .
Official opposition mounted against the practice of soring Tennessee Walking Horses to make them fancier steppers .
Gov . Buford Ellington announced he favors legislation " with teeth in it ” to prevent the practice , and Congressman Dan Kuykendall declared in a House speech that he was " declaring war ” against those who mistreat show horses .
Ellington said , " The present law has no teeth . I certainly do not want to see any cover-up legislation , but I will support legislation that will be effective .”
The governor said " it is much too early to decide ” who will introduce the legislation or what it will contain . The next session of the legislature begins in January .
Ellington , himself the owner of three world champion
walking horses , says he is vitally interested in the solution to the problem of soring , even though he has no more horses presently in competition .
Kuykendall told his colleagues in the House that " as a Tennessean , the practice of soring makes me so man I start boiling everytime I think about it .” He introduced legislation in the House similar to that introduced by Sen . Joseph Tydings in the Senate . The bill proposes federal action to stop the practice .
Soring involves making the horses lower legs or hoofs sore so the animals will step higher and more quickly because of the pain . Theoretically , the fancier steps impress the judges .
ITEMS OF INTEREST : We Made The Society Page !
In a recent installment of " Betty Beale ’ s Letter ,” a syndicated column that appears in newspapers around the country , entitled WASHINGTON SOCIAL LIFE , it was pointed out that " the social season is on and Washington is really swinging ." In referring to one social affair , obviously a cocktail party at which many of the world ’ s " financial wheels ” were present , the
writer noted that " attractive new Democratic presidential possibility Senator Joe Tydings of Maryland was there .” She went on to say , " Joe Tydings was being congratulated on his humaneness in introducing a bill to make illegal the soring of horses ’ feet . Tennessee Walkers are trained in a hurry by use of . . .” and she went on in her " social letter ” to elaborate on the drastic situation regarding our breed .
With the Viet Nam war , the war on poverty , the Electoral College issue and a few other similarly important problems currently hanging over our heads , we are pleased that this " attractive presidential possibility ” felt that the issue of our training techniques was important enough to demand star billing at a cocktail party .
It was also brought to our attention that the only Sub-Committee member present at the hearing on Tennessee Walking Horses was Sen . Tydings . He was backed up by representatives of the Animal Welfare Institute , a group of self-appointed authorities on the training of Tennessee Walking Horses .
We Made LIFE Magazine , Also . . .
As most of you know , the Walking Horse industry suffered a scathing rebuff recently in the October 3 issue of LIFE Magazine . Sen . Joe Tydings ( pictured below ) was depicted as " a sportsman who has been riding since he was four ,” and was therefore qualified to make decisions regarding Tennessee Walking Horses . ( He is a Hunter-Jumper enthusiast .) Regarding the issue of Walking Horses , the senator said , " If we can close down some shows , we ’ ll put a stop to all this .” And that , my friends , is the whole idea .
SPEAK UP AND SOUND OFF
By using Western Union ’ s flat rate public opinion message telegraph service , you can inform the President of the United States , a Senator or Representative of your opinion on public issue for a flat charge of only $ 1.00 plus tax . Limited to fifteen words , your exact text is transmitted by telegraph and delivered like a regular telegram the same day . This is certainly an advantageous means of letting your legislators know how you feel about the various bills before them .
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