WEG chooses the "natural" Walking Horse for exhibit

[hitchinmygetalong]

Link (http://www.kentucky.com/latest_news/story/998093.html)

WEG picks natural walking horses for exhibits
By Janet Patton - jpatton1@herald-leader.com
A controversial Tennessee Walking Horse group will not be allowed to participate in the Equine Village at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games after all.

Instead, the games will highlight the National Walking Horse Association, which prohibits devices and practices that exaggerate the horse's natural gait.

The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association had asked to participate in the exhibitions planned at the Kentucky Horse Park during the games next fall and, according to WEG board chairman John Long, the WEG board had decided in December to allow them.

But last month, as the board was finalizing the list of participants, they changed plans and refunded TWHBEA's $20,000 deposit instead, said Jamie Link, WEG 2010 Foundation CEO.

"We recognized there is some controversy surrounding that breed. We made the decision that it's not in our best interest to provide a showcase for a controversy like this," Link said Thursday.

A small percentage of walking horses, which have a naturally smooth gait, are trained in a highly stylized high-stepping performance gait for competitions. This sometimes involves use of illegal devices and substances to make the horse's feet sore. These practices, known as "soring," are banned under the federal Horse Protection Act, enforced by the USDA.
TWHBEA had agreed not to bring any walking horses in padded shoes or chains, and guaranteed none of the horses exhibited would be "sore."
But in the end WEG "went a different direction," Link said, although he emphasized that the board wants to support TWHBEA's efforts to rehabilitate its image and reform training methods.

"Ultimately, we decided (TWHBEA) was just probably not the best fit," Link said. "We do want to showcase the walking horse because it's inherent to Kentucky's culture."

[texang73]

Interesting... :cool:

[katarine]

Oh TWHBEA is HATING that NWHA got it. HATING it.

[blazn]

GREAT news for Walking Horse lovers. I'm very surprised, and pleased.

[ilmjumper]

Woooo Hooo :) Making the trip to go watch next year and SO glad it's gonna be NWHA and that Champagne Watchout with Jennie Jackson is who's doing the demo!

[War Admiral]

Delighted to hear! :yes:

[jazzrider]

Great news! :yes: Maybe this will motivate TWHBEA to work harder for sincere change.

[Guilherme]

It would appear that some long errant chickens have come home to roost.

There will be "sincere" changes in the TWH industry when a dozen or so old timers meet their maker. As long as they don't get replaced by "young blood."

That last issue is still open.

G.

[Tamara in TN]

It would appear that some long errant chickens have come home to roost.

There will be "sincere" changes in the TWH industry when a dozen or so old timers meet their maker. As long as they don't get replaced by "young blood."

That last issue is still open.

G.


wonder if they'll keep their favorite big mouth leashed ??:lol::lol::lol:good luck with that....

anyway,NWHA is based at the KY horse park,is a Ky entity and I think it has more to do with snubbing TN in general and less to do with NWHA...or TWHBEA...

ps do you know now they are letting in unregistered horses on gait and conformation? god can you imagine??

Glen Carter is rolling in his grave....:)

[katarine]

yeah I don't see the Preacher being the best spokesperson for the breed but he'll talk your ear off to convince you he is ;)

[Tamara in TN]

yeah I don't see the Preacher being the best spokesperson for the breed but he'll talk your ear off to convince you he is ;)



preach on it,sister!

[ManyDogs]

I will let my 2 TWH know :D . Their former owner treated them wonderfully, and they continue to be spoiled here. My little pony (Bl/Wh pinto) has been chosen for a future hunt horse. I just haven't told her yet. :lol:
Never thought I'd own TWHs, but that's what happens when DH goes on the Internet when I'm out of town......

How anyone can torture their horses just for a ribbon is beyond me :mad:.

[ilmjumper]

yeah I don't see the Preacher being the best spokesperson for the breed but he'll talk your ear off to convince you he is ;)

lol, personally I like Jennie and love eveything she's done with that stallion...but I do have to admit it's a little ironic that they chose them to do the demo, which has to just burn TWHBEA's butt even more considering all the "history" there! I don't think it was JUST a matter of NWHA's ground zero beingin KY ;)

[ChocoMare]

...but I do have to admit it's a little ironic that they chose them to do the demo, which has to just burn TWHBEA's butt even more considering all the "history" there! I don't think it was JUST a matter of NWHA's ground zero beingin KY ;)

Actually, it's "Biblical" ;) - WEG just heaped burning coals upon the TWHBEA's head. :cool:

[Tamara in TN]

I don't think it was JUST a matter of NWHA's ground zero beingin KY ;)


well given Ky's promotion of it's own horse industry (the very much publicized breeders incentive funds and such) I do not doubt that the powers that be prefer an all KY linup when they can get it...

I just hope that NWHA has to put up the same $20,000 that TWHBEA did...then my conspiracy theory might hold less water;)


has TWHBEA been putzheads and caved to the Trainers Association each and every time?...yep...

is NWHA the sole spotless salvation? Nope...

am I a cynic ? yep........

[War Admiral]

I *really* don't think it has anything to do with snubbing TN, Tamara, honest I don't. I think it has a lot more to do with putting the USA's best hoof forward, as it were...

HSUS has a booth and will obviously be paying strict attention; also, the Saddlebred Assn. is doing an exhibit emphasizing the ASB in sport. These are kinda your clues, IMO, that the "questionable" stuff was kind of never going to be invited to this particular party.

[Tamara in TN]

I *really* don't think it has anything to do with snubbing TN, Tamara, honest I don't. I think it has a lot more to do with putting the USA's best hoof forward, as it were...

HSUS has a booth and will obviously be paying strict attention; also, the Saddlebred Assn. is doing an exhibit emphasizing the ASB in sport. These are kinda your clues, IMO, that the "questionable" stuff was kind of never going to be invited to this particular party.

I'd like to think that,but the NWHA was a current tenant of the Ky Horse Park..how would it look to bump a paying tenant for some one from out of state ?

on another note: I wonder why the WEG declined the Mounted Archery demo ?

anyway...the walkers are none of my business...not for many years now :)

best

[katarine]

If we can crucify Anky for how she rides, can I do the same to holy Jennie caving her TWH mare's ribs in with spurs in a trail horse competition? Spur grunt jerk. Spur grunt jerk. I was front row to it, nothing misunderstood about her intent to manhandle that mare through something she was clearly freaked out about doing. It was ugly and inappropriate. She ain't all that and a bag of humane chips. Maybe I should wear a brown beanie ??

I put those facts flat at the feet of The Preacher when it happened. He had no response. His silence was golden.

There are cleaner peeps in NWHA, tis all I'm sayin'.

[ilmjumper]

Well, i have no doubts the NWHA was def a better choice for KY, which I'm sure had a lot to do with NWHA being there already, plus the sound horse thing...it's more that they picked Watchout to do the demo that I'm sure is burning TWHBEA butt ;) Given their relationship with the Jackson family...because honestly, if NWHA had picked the demo person..they would have picked someone else, simply because the Jackson family does choose to show at the Celebration...which is doubly ironic I think...cause no one else they could've picked would tick off TWHBEA as much as Watchout!!!

[ilmjumper]

There are cleaner peeps in NWHA, tis all I'm sayin'.

lol, exactly! I don't think NWHA had anything to do with picking her for the demo...they did, after all, suspend her last year...just in time for Nationals.

BTW Katarine, you didn't miss anything by not coming to MO, the weather kept most everyone away!

[Guilherme]

Ah, The Preacher. Had my ear bent many a time by that august personality.

A couple of years back we worked with a dressage master (a real one, in spite of his quirkyness). He also had been approached to work with Watchout. He declined based upon The Preacher who would not be quiet and quickly began telling a guy trained by Nunio Olivera how he should be doing business. :eek:

The genetic damage done to the Walker by 50 years of Big Lick breeding really shows and it will take decades to undo it. There are nice Walkers out there, but they won't have WGC bloodlines (at least not since '54). Sadly, the TWHBEA is as screwed up today as it ever was. Frankly, I'm not sure that NWHA is all that much of an improvement but I'm out of the breed so I guess I don't really have a dog in the fight.

It kind of sucks, though, that the WEG folks took the TWHBEA money, kept it, and then gave it back saying, "we want to go in a different direction." I guess they are not realiable contract partners.

G.

[jazzrider]

Ah, The Preacher. Had my ear bent many a time by that august personality.

He's just posted about the Games on the Dressage and Off Course forums...

[The Preacher]

yeah I don't see the Preacher being the best spokesperson for the breed but he'll talk your ear off to convince you he is ;)

Hey there Katerine, How have ya been doing? Hope all is well with you and yours...

In response to your observation and thoughts...I'd tend to agree with you in your observation and experience with me...and as soon as I read your post a scripture came to mind..."For god choses the follish things of this world to confound the wise"

You must be a very wise person...

Good to see you again...your wit always made my heart pump...

The Preacher

[The Preacher]

Ah, The Preacher. Had my ear bent many a time by that august personality.

A couple of years back we worked with a dressage master (a real one, in spite of his quirkyness). He also had been approached to work with Watchout. He declined based upon The Preacher who would not be quiet and quickly began telling a guy trained by Nunio Olivera how he should be doing business. :eek:

The genetic damage done to the Walker by 50 years of Big Lick breeding really shows and it will take decades to undo it. There are nice Walkers out there, but they won't have WGC bloodlines (at least not since '54). Sadly, the TWHBEA is as screwed up today as it ever was. Frankly, I'm not sure that NWHA is all that much of an improvement but I'm out of the breed so I guess I don't really have a dog in the fight.

It kind of sucks, though, that the WEG folks took the TWHBEA money, kept it, and then gave it back saying, "we want to go in a different direction." I guess they are not realiable contract partners.

G.

Ahhh Guilherme...also good to hear from you and I hope all is also well with you and yours...

Interesting thing "The Truth" is...we worked several times with JP on several different occasions...even left WO with him....

But I was, as you said a little hesitant in wanting him to teach WO to trot...we wanted to enhance his ability, through natural methods...to gait....

We DISCUSSED things...agreed on some and disagreed on others...then went down the street to Bill's Cafe and had a beer....

Things do not always appear as you heard them second and third hand...it really is one of those "you had to be there"

The Preacher

[The Preacher]

Actually, it's "Biblical" ;) - WEG just heaped burning coals upon the TWHBEA's head. :cool:

Thanks Chocomare...for the kind of talkin I like!

I see it more like "The stone that the builders rejected, became chief" (cornerstone)...

The Preacher

[katarine]

Hey there Katerine, How have ya been doing? Hope all is well with you and yours...

In response to your observation and thoughts...I'd tend to agree with you in your observation and experience with me...and as soon as I read your post a scripture came to mind..."For god choses the follish things of this world to confound the wise"

You must be a very wise person...

Good to see you again...your wit always made my heart pump...

The Preacher

Yes, it's confounds me to watch a holier than thou DVD-shillin' horse trainer gig the crap out of a frightened horse with her spurs in front of an audience. An audience that finally said, loud enough for Miss Jennie to hear, now that's enough. That poor mare grunted hard with every gig, gig gig, all because she was afraid to cross a tarp with poles laid over it. Front row seats, Preacher. You were about 12 rows up. Got quiet when your horses fell apart.

Follish? I'm not sure of. Foolish? Yes, to be sure. I admired your efforts to show an honest TWH until I watched your wife manhandle a confused Watchout who did not like the whole course from Word Go, and physically assault a black mare for being afraid. Sorry, I didn't catch the mare's name.

I was there, Preacher. And I'm not alone in my ability to separate wheat from chaff.

[The Preacher]

Yes, it's confounds me to watch a holier than thou DVD-shillin' horse trainer gig the crap out of a frightened horse with her spurs in front of an audience. An audience that finally said, loud enough for Miss Jennie to hear, now that's enough. That poor mare grunted hard with every gig, gig gig, all because she was afraid to cross a tarp with poles laid over it. Front row seats, Preacher. You were about 12 rows up. Got quiet when your horses fell apart.

Follish? I'm not sure of. Foolish? Yes, to be sure. I admired your efforts to show an honest TWH until I watched your wife manhandle a confused Watchout who did not like the whole course from Word Go, and physically assault a black mare for being afraid. Sorry, I didn't catch the mare's name.

I was there, Preacher. And I'm not alone in my ability to separate wheat from chaff.

For the life of me...I ask myself, why is this lady so mean-spirited? What if anything positive does she have to contribute?

We have worked very hard to be recognized and promote this breed that has been so maligned, by the actions and behavior of such a few, rightfully so, but out of the chaos...some people take a stand..speak up...actually does something to change the condition the way horses are treated for the better.

We were chosen because of standing up against the negative downfall and have presented an image people can feel proud to say I belong...

I said I didn't wanna come out here and fight...but there is always two or three that are so green with envy or yellow with jealousy that they have to throw cold water on the forward progress of others and the well meaning group at-large.

For several years we were under the microscope of The WEGs...we beleive they showed up at events we were at and showing, they questioned us and believe they took vidoes...

At first they encouraged us to connect with our breed orgs and show with them...but upon futher investigation they saw what we knew...they were not gonna do that...and as they say...they wanted to show World Class Demonstrations...of which they decided we were...THIS we earned, its was not just given to us...

Katarine...we are not the enemy, we are simple people that believe in something...and are willing to do something about that belief.

Our showing will do two things among others...instill pride back into a breed of horse that has had to hang it's head in shame for many many years....AND promote the great discpline of Dressage!

I think, in my humble opinion...the founding fathers of this discipline would be proud to see that what they stumbled upon all those years ago was on point...

Dressage is great for horse and rider applied to any of breed of horse...and one more thing...make America proud of it's inherent breed of horse.

Why do you want to pick at the scab of something that has such a potential for goodness as that?

I ain't mad....Jesus was perfect in all respects...and look what they did to Him...and He left a word to us that believe that we would endure the same and more...He told me not to be dismayed at folks llike you et al who walk around with measuring sticks...He has already confirmed to us that we measure up to what He in many respects would like to see...and it is His measuring stick that I am most concerned with...not yours or those that believe as you..

I just bet, if someone was to follow you around all for a day with a camera they would find you fall short of the mark in many things...did you brush your teeth for 2 minutes?...Did you come to a full stop at that corner?...Did you say thank you and please?

Sooo....can you help us in any way to be better?..If so, please do contirbute, we would really like some good input for those that know...we ain't that proud....

When you slam us...you slam many here who are proud and happy for us because they feel a part of this..and will be riding that horse along with Jennie.....pryaing all along that they do good in front of the world.....what did they do to deserve such indictments?

I didn't coin this adage...but how does it go.."If you don't have anything nice to say?..." Well you know the rest...why would someone think of that and why would it last so many years...there must be something to it...I would think.:confused:

And one more thing I thought about over the night in RE: to another post about JP...not only did we leave WO with him...we left four other horses there along with my two children who took lessons from him....now that does not sound like someone who would not take us in....funny thing about the truth...it makes those who espouse falsities...look real shallow...

The Preacher

[The Preacher]

lol, exactly! I don't think NWHA had anything to do with picking her for the demo...they did, after all, suspend her last year...just in time for Nationals.

Again, the Truth of a matter is defense in itself....Jennie has been in TWHs since I believe 1974...

We have been an outspoken critic of issues with our breed since 1983....

In all these years...some have wanted to nail her and us for something..and finally one brave sould said "I'll do it!"....so he alledged that she did not reutrn to the DQP area after a class...for post inspection...a Technical violation...which we took several credible witnesses to the trial and they said..."Yes! she did! we were there!"

But the lawyer they had refused to let me try the case because I was not a lawyer and the rules said "Representation" which he said .."Well in TN that means lawyer"....

The vote was 3-2 against her...some on thepanel came out afterwords and said that "the deck was stacked against her and we could do nothing about it"

Now does that surprize many knowing the history of how these people work?

So bad was this trial...we were not charged $$$ for it...mens reas...a guilty mind. I can say that now because NHSc is no longer in business...Hmmm I just wonder if a higher power did something about that miscarriage of justice....

So she served a suspension for that..it was not one of this industries most shining moments....but the good thing that came out of it is that she now qualifies to be Trainer of The Year now that she has a ticket on her record :D

Seeings that every one of them that has recieved this award has....

So let's examine the source of the suspension and put it in its right persepctive....people knew what it was all about...they knew....now you do.

The Preacher

[katarine]

You say nothing about what I saw, which is telling. Because her treatment and riding is indefensible.

You tell me I must be wise to be troubled by foolish things- a noncompliment if there ever was one, you must think me simple to think I'd fall for it. You say unkind things about others here who have opposing opinions, and mock us in many words, and that's ok by you? Why? Because you quote the bible as you beat me with your words? Classy, Preacher. And who's mean-spirited here? I'd rather get slapped open handed than be hugged by a man reaching in my purse.

I don't like the overuse of spurs and aggressive riding. No more than you like stacks and chains. It's all bad. I have lobbied the trail horse competition management to instill a warning whistle if riders get too aggressive with the spurring and yanking. We're both standing up for the horse's welfare. I'm nobody in TWH circles, couldn't care less what they do or what beef they have with you. I just didn't care for how your wife publicly managed frightened horses. It was not pretty. I didn't go behind the barn hunting it. She was the only rider in the pen, being judged, and chose to show her worst colors.

You going against the TWHBEA grain is courageous, it's taking a stand, it's doing what's right.
Me pointing out your wife riding abusively in competition: is mean. Or personal. It's apparently anything but what it plainly is: a fellow competitor being appalled at her lack of good horsemanship, getting after a scared horse.


I'm not green, yellow, red, or any other color of interest. Just a TWH owner who takes dressage instruction on him, :yes: that doesn't care for the image your wife put out there, showing, publicly, in competition, how she handles frightened horses. I have that right to speak up and say so. And you can't do a darn thing about it.

Carry on, prove me wrong, that's the best thing you can do at this point. Continuing to henpeck and belittle me, says more about you, than it ever would about me.

[The Preacher]

You say nothing about what I saw, which is telling. Because her treatment and riding is indefensible.

You tell me I must be wise to be troubled by foolish things- a noncompliment if there ever was one, you must think me simple to think I'd fall for it. You say unkind things about others here who have opposing opinions, and mock us in many words, and that's ok by you? Why? Because you quote the bible as you beat me with your words? Classy, Preacher. And who's mean-spirited here? I'd rather get slapped open handed than be hugged by a man reaching in my purse.

I don't like the overuse of spurs and aggressive riding. No more than you like stacks and chains. It's all bad. I have lobbied the trail horse competition management to instill a warning whistle if riders get too aggressive with the spurring and yanking. We're both standing up for the horse's welfare. You going against the TWHBEA grain is courageous: me pointing out your wife riding abusively in competition: is mean. Go figure.

Not green, yellow, red, or any other color of interest. Just a TWH owner who takes dressage instruction on him, :yes: that doesn't care for the image your wife put out there, showing, publicly, in competition, how she handles frightened horses. I have that right to speak up and say so. And you can't do a darn thing about it.

Carry on, prove me wrong, that's the best thing you can do at this point.

Katarine;

dear lady...don't know you or who you are...but if we should ever meet I would extend a hand of friend ship, not sure you would take it...if you were at a show I was at and did not introduce yourself, then thats something i can't so anything about...you think my words are harsh?...

Are you married, any children?..How would you feel if someone came out publically and started to say bad things about the? How would anyone here feel?

I think what you propose about the stopping of over enthusiam is great! and I would suport you in that drive...

but his horse is dead, rigamoris is setting in...let's move on to something else...there is nothing I can say about how someone else is riding a horse that I am not in the saddle with them...that would satisfy what you are seeking here today.

I just ownder...do you know you fight against what you don't like has probably sparked a rebllion against you...just how does that feel when you know you are right?...please try to apply that feeling to me here...

You have knocked me from everything from mispelling a word to the person I married 26 years ago...would you feel better if I wrote the WEGs and withdrew our acceptance?

Would this make the world in your eyes a better place to live in?

I really do not wanna fight with you...so let's agree to disagree..is that doable?

Anything less than that proposal is sour grapes

The Preacher

[scrtwh]

Oy Vey ...
I for one am glad it's the NWHA and not TWHBEA, but there are so many nicer, dressage TWH and rider teams out there, too bad the NWHA could not have found one with a little less political, incendiary issues.

And Guilherme, I agree, the TWH's of today have lost alot of what made this breed great. I have the good fortune to have two solid, gaiting, brainiac foundation horses that make some of the "newer" version of the breed look a tad on the unsubstantial side, shades of the ASB, but ... I digress.

[jazzrider]

You say nothing about what I saw, which is telling. Because her treatment and riding is indefensible.

Not just once, but twice. Very telling. I remember when you when you saw that ride and how it offended you. I know nothing about this guy, but my impression of his posts is that it's grease disguised by sugar. Clearly he's just going to talk, and talk, and talk around in circles and not address your point. Not worth the effort it takes to type "well bless your heart!" :no: I'm so glad I'm clueless as to the politics of these two associations and their representatives. I just love my naturally gaited TWH, and will hope they can be respectfully represented at WEG.