Walking On Volume 2, Issue 5, May 2015 | Page 15

Association Scoop new facilities. The new equestrian center provided the perfect backdrop for the weekend - where visitors could move down the center isle with ease, and even the animals seem to find it quite enjoyable. Our barn display focused on our youth riders and the accomplishments of our adult riders. High-Point ribbons and trophies were on display with shining stars. You could not walk past our booth without stopping to look. We offered a photo booth and lots of information about our beloved breed. Our booth featured a sitting area, which facilitated many discussions, storytelling and plenty of opportunity to talk about our club. Plus, visitors stopped by our stalls to visit our demo horses, pet a soft nose, or ask questions about gaits and temperaments. Our gentle walking horse breed did not disappoint - as they poured on the charm and a little southern hospitality for the visitors. Nothing proves the beauty of our breed better than actually meeting our good, gentle walking horse. The future looks bright for our breed as long as we have opportunities such as The Midwest Horse Fair to promote and educate the public. And, its great to have such a wonderful team of members who helped to make the entire weekend a success: Lynn Beres (breed coordinator), Marcia Boeing (col- iseum booth coordinator), Bill Butler, Peggy Butler, Delahny Charbonneau, Tehya Crego (exhibitor), Jennifer Donze, Ashley Frones (exhibitor), Jessica Gilchrist (exhibitor), Stephanie Hogeboom, Amanda Huebner, Terre Huebner, Kricket Jewett (exhibitor), Katie Livingood (exhibitor), Bob Rodenkirch, Mick Salm, Chuck Scholl, Jim Sizer, Kim Sizer, Margaret Wittkopp (exhibitor), Gale Zinter. Of course we need to also include, Hacksaw, Angel, Roy, Pretty, and Elliot, without these wonderful horses our booth/demo would not have been complete. The team took on the challenge of delivering at the Midwest Horse Fair and did a smashing job of putting us in the limelight to promote our breed! For more information about the Wisconsin Walking Horse Association, visit www.wiscosinwalkinghorse.org or find us on Facebook. Submitted by: Renee Stasiewicz Vice President, Board of Directors and Communications Director Wisconsin Walking Horse Association Wisconsin Walking Tommy Hall Visits Wisconsin Brings With Him A Shining Report On Our Breed On the morning of Friday, May 1, Tommy Hall could be seen running through the Nashville airport, leaping small children and luggage - on a mission not to miss his plane. Next stop - Wisconsin (by way of Tampa). By the next evening, he was calm, cool and collected, and standing up in front of the Wisconsin Walking Horse Association (WWHA) membership, microphone in hand. After cocktails and a healthy banquet dinner, Tommy was introduced as our guest speaker who came to share walking horse stories, recount the history of the Walking Horse Owners Associations (WHOA), and answer questions regarding the most current breed topics on everyones’ minds. As the Executive Director of WHOA for more than 30 years, Tommy has seen a lot of change, however remains bullish for a bright future of our breed. He is the driving force behind ensuring the walking horse owner is well represented within the walking horse community. “We represent more than the show ring, WHOA offers trail, search and rescue, educational clinics and youth programs, to meet all interests of the walking horse owners,” explained Tommy. To that end, WHOA has renovated their marketing materials with new pamphlets, brochures and bookmarks to help promote the walking horse breed and all the WHOA programs at many Horse Fairs across the country - such as VA, OH, IL and WI. In fact WHOA supplied WWHA with materials to share at the Midwest Horse Fair just last month. He also stands firm on unity, “We all need to come together, to support each other in 15