Walking On Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2016 | Page 6

Bits and Pieces

Some Thoughts to Welcome 2016
As 2016 gets underway, I personally want to thank
each of you reading this for your help in making 2015
a good year for the Walking Horse Owners’ Association. WHOA affiliated/sponsored 90 shows in 13 states
during 2015. The association could not have managed
this without the help, assistance, and encouragement
of our members, volunteers and, of course, our exhibitors. To all of you, THANKS for a remarkable year. 
Please keep in mind during the coming year(s) that
WHOA does provide you a place to show your wonderful Tennessee Walking Horse. The staff is on the
road almost every weekend from March thru November. Yes, it is our job (no one is complaining, at least
I have not heard it -welllll maybe just a wee bit when
we are driving home at 11 at night and are bone tired
knowing we will hit the road again in the morning
anywhere from 4 to 5 a.m.). Please keep in mind that
although we are not getting BIG BUCKS we do this
weekend after weekend because of YOU. We enjoy
seeing our horse show friends across the country that
we would not get to see without the shows; however
some weekends we might prefer to stay at home and go
trail riding or to a movie with our family or just sleep
in! Knowing it is our responsibility to produce a show
for you, we wake up and hit the road. When we arrive
at the show, it is not the dollars we will receive but
the friendship and the chance to view different horses
across the states that keep the WHOA staff going. We
thank you for your help throughout the year and your
awesome smiles.
OK, while I am on my tack box I would like to
address a subject that, as most of you are aware, I am
somewhat obsessed with - adding classes once the
show bill has been publicized. My thoughts are as follows: there may be folks that could not attend the show
because of family obligations, mild sickness that day,
lost a shoe on their mount a couple of days prior to the
show, etc. This person might have made an extra effort
to attend the show IF  they had known that particular
class had been added. That particular class might just
be the one that would make their horse High Point for
the year or finish their versatility points. I strongly feel
that the addition of any extra classes is unfair to the
ones that are not at the show and did not know about
6 • Walking On

the class. Now, if an exhibitor is wanting the class added in order to “just have a class for that horse on that
day,” add the class BUT  it should not count for points
and the class fee for any added class should be double
the normal fee. Just a thought...no need to get out the
sticks and stones!!!
This kind of weather - at least around here - brings
out the love of horses in the owners.  At five AM with a
light dusting of snow on the ground I am DEEEELITED to be up and out in the cold to feed the pasture
ornaments. Honestly, those of us that have the pleasure
of taking care of our own equines - and it is a pleasure
- are very fortunate. When we get disgusted with the
chores because of the cold, there are always those battling the heat and/or bugs for the same privilege.  Our
horses are our friends, our four legged family and our
smooth rides. We love ‘em all!
Since I have been going on about the weather let me
put forth a few ideas for this time when a lot of us are
not in the horse show mode. Please try the following at
some time when you have a spare day (yeah I know when  would that be???) Call a local nursing home and
make a date to take your horse to visit! YES it will need
to be warm weather - but you may need to call now to
get the ball rolling. You will be so very blessed after the
visit is complete OR I will buy you a coke!  The look on
the patients’ faces is priceless. 
Another project I have for you is to either take your
horse to a girl scout or a cub scout meeting, explain the
care and financial responsibilities involved in owning
a horse. Let the children pet, brush, clean tack, etc. I
guarantee you will have “hooked” some little girl or
boy for life. Why not show a Tennessee Walking Horse
to these youngsters and brag on our smooth gait so
when they get old enough to buy a horse, our breed is
the one they will remember???  Go to the local school
with your horse or with pictures and talk to the 4H
group. 4H Leaders love to have others give the program for them and they will be delighted to have you
speak to their group. Of course you can always invite
the scouts and 4 H members to your barn and show
them the intricacies of horse care. Put F