WHOA Dispatch
International To Be Dedicated
To Steve Brown and Ada Wright
Murfreesboro, TN - The Walking Horse Owners’ Association (WHOA) is proud to reveal that the 2015 International
Pleasure and Colt Grand Championship will be dedicated
in memory of Steve Brown and Ada Wright. Both of these
outstanding individuals were great advocates for the Tennessee Walking Horse and for the walking horse industry. Their
passings in 2014 left a void in our community and it is an
honor to be able to recognize them at what has become our
industry’s premier pleasure horse and colt showcase.
Steve Brown
A Tennessee Wa lking
Horse enthusiast for over 30
years, Steve was a fan of every
facet of the breed. Over the
years, he proudly showed in
each division our industry
has offered. As a breeder, he
produced countless talented horses including world
grand champion The Wicked
Master. A longtime student of
the breed, Steve’s knowledge
of its history and of what makes a quality Tennessee Walking
Horse was nearly without match. Not surprisingly, he was
an accomplished horse show judge. He counted among his
proudest moments, those spent judging our industry’s top
shows including the Celebration, Fun Show, Mississippi State
Charity Show, and the International Grand Championships.
When he wasn’t judging a show, he could often be found announcing or serving as show manager. His belief in our great
horse led him to promote the breed throughout the United
States, Canada, Europe, and Central America.
Our industry’s associations and organizations were fortunate to benefit from the services of Steve Brown. Throughout
his time in the industry he held leadership positions with a
number of groups. For the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ And Exhibitors’ Association he served multiple terms as
a director and was the Owners/Exhibitors/International Vice
President for three years. For two terms he served as president of the Western International Walking Horse Association. He was also a past president of the Tennessee Walking
Horse Foundation and a director for the Walking Horse
Owners’ Association.
A former schoolteacher and school administrator, Steve
4 • Walking On
devoted his life to helping others. He was a generous and
supportive friend with an adept sense of humor. He will be
greatly missed by all who knew him and by the breed that so
benefited from his interest and allegiance.
The Tennessee Walking Horse industry has lost a great
friend and advocate when Stephen Brown of Vancouver,
Washington, passed away Monday, October 13, 2014, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Ada Wright
Born in the Noah Community of Middle Tennessee, Ada was
the daughter of early, influential Tennessee Walking Horse
breeder John French Brantley
and Mary Graham Wilson
Brantley.
A lifelong horse enthusiast,
Ada continued her family’s
tradition of involvement in
the Tennessee Walking Horse
industry and, over the years,
received several awards for her
promotion of the Flat Shod Tennessee Walking Horse. An
individual with a truly giving spirit, Ada was always quick to
volunteer at various horse events, especially at the versatility
shows hosted by the Walking Horse Owners’ Association.
Ada was a homemaker and a member of the First United
Methodist Church of Manchester. As a citizen of Manchester,
she was a leader and volunteer in the Cub Scouts and Girl
Scouts, a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, the Manchester
Recreation Commission, the Band Boosters, and community
baseball and girls softball programs. Additionally, she was a
charter member of the “Dig’n Dream Garden Club,” the Jaycee’s Shooting Education Program, and the American Legion
Auxiliary. Ada was also active in the “Keep Coffee County
Beautiful” Program and the Methodist Women Organization.
A member of one of our breed’s founding families, a true
horse lover, a lifelong advocate for the Tennessee Walking
Horse, and a knowledgeable and generous volunteer, Ada
Brantley Wright will be greatly missed. Her legacy will continue through her many family members and her spirit will
live on in our memories and in the many ways she touched
our lives.