WHOA Dispatch
4 • Walking On
WHOA Annual Convention
WHOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The Walking Horse Owners ’ Association ( WHOA ) held its board of directors meeting on Saturday , February 11 , 2017 , at the Miller Coliseum in Murfreeboro , Tennessee . An attendance call revealed 23 of 26 board members present .
During the financial report it was stated that the International showed a profit of $ 62,706.25 in 2016 , the highest profit ever for the show . The association ’ s balance sheet showed profits totalling $ 43,389.27 as of December 31 , 2016 . Its profit and loss sheet indicated that net income was up $ 13,513.22 over the previous year .
Discussing the 2016 show season it was noted that only one show lost money , the three-day Carolina Mountain Classic , which was down significantly in entries . This year , Four Beats For Pleasure will help support this show and any profit will be halved between them and WHOA . The show will be two days instead of three and Four Beats For Pleasure has already raised around $ 4,000 in sponsorships .
In his report , Executive Direcotor Tommy Hall noted that , over the last nine years , WHOA has sponsored or affiliated 522 shows with a total of 96,102 entries . Focusing in on 2016 , he reported that there were 71 shows in 11 states . He also related that in 2016 WHOA had attended six multi-day horse events , including Equine Affaire , in states including Tennessee , Illinois , Ohio , Kentucky , and Michigan . The association also hosted three Service Horse Competitions during the year .
Both Hall and President Rhonda Martocci stressed the need to grow the membership and encouraged everyone to show regardless of show affiliation or HIOs . Martocci tasked the directors with finding new ways to improve membership and increase sponsorships . She expressed her pride in WHOA and remarked “ We need to be inclusive , not exclusive . We represent all walking horses . The reason for promoting flat-shod shows is that it has been profitable for WHOA .”
WHOA MEMBERSHIP MEETING The WHOA membership meeting was also held on
Saturday , February 11 , 2017 , at the Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro , Tennessee . The meeting began with Frank Neal expressing the group ’ s gratitude to Executive Director Tommy Hall and inspiring a standing ovation .
Next , a number of show dates were provided and it was noted that shows will be added to the website as they are received . Ken Estes stated that the Walking For The Future group would host three shows in East Tennessee while Shannon Gibbs gave three show dates for the Carolinas .
Providing the HIO report , David Pruett related that numbers per show had increased . He also stated that a joint DQP and USDA training session with all HIOs was scheduled .
To close out the meeting , Shelby Finch , Linda Starnes , and Ernie Brewbaker gave a presentation on the “ Just Say Whoa to Drinking , Drugs , and Bad Decisions ” program . The program is ongoing and available to all . Overall , it was a very positive meeting .
WHOA AWARDS BANQUET
Following the days ’ meetings , WHOA hosted its annual awards banquet the evening of Saturday , February 11 , 2017 , at the James Union Building on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University . The banquet attracted 270 attendees from throughout the country . The evening began with a cocktail hour . This was followed by the presentation of the Versatility , Register of Merit , and Kentucky Breeders Incentive Program Awards . Next up was a delicious dinner and then it was time for the presentation of the National High Point Awards .
In addition to the awards presentations , the evening featured a silent auction , a 50 / 50 drawing , and an auction for the front and back covers of the 2017 International Program . New this year was the WHOA Gives Back Program , funded by a generous $ 2,500 donation from Phyllis Langley . Names were drawn throughout the evening with $ 250 given to a trainer in each division and $ 250 given to an amateur in each division . In the All Day Pleasure two amateur names were drawn .
For a full list of award recipients turn page 10 of this issue .