it’s still in its infancy but here is a place to consider joining and supporting as they work to create a better place to own and show a TWH…far from TWHBEA.
They are also on Facebook
I don’t think another Association is what the breed needs. And I’ll save my enthusiasm until I see what’s winning in the show ring: are they pinning a true Running Walk, or are horses that pace/step-pace/rack getting ribbons?
I posted this one on the other thread a while back.
I know- but I think there’s room for more than one thread about the breed. I get the sense 4 people are reading the other one…
[QUOTE=Malda;7265898]
I don’t think another Association is what the breed needs. And I’ll save my enthusiasm until I see what’s winning in the show ring: are they pinning a true Running Walk, or are horses that pace/step-pace/rack getting ribbons?[/QUOTE]
That’s fine: but for people interested in leaving TWHBEA, it’s a place to consider.
[QUOTE=katarine;7266033]
That’s fine: but for people interested in leaving TWHBEA, it’s a place to consider.[/QUOTE]
Well there’s the National Walking Horse Association, Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) which I think is mainly TWH, also Tennessee Walking Horse Heritage Society, but I don’t think they have shows. That’s all I can think of. I’m sure their intentions are good, as was yours for posting the information, but I don’t think it’s good for any breed if there are too many groups to join. Not sure why they even started the association.
I hope you don’t think I’m attacking your post. 
I don’t feel attacked, not a bit.
I believe any reader would be completely clear on your position regarding the number of organizations, and I share a little of your concern.
I am interested partly because of its leadership, and it’s inexpensive for those seeking to join early and support their efforts.
So, the leadership currently volunteering to get WWHA off the ground feels like a good mix to me. Time will tell.
It’s been a busy year, so I apologize for letting the other thread on the Tennessee Walking Horse Soring issue go by without me.
I want to weigh in on WWHA. We’ve had people express concern regarding the creation of (yes, I KNOW) yet ANOTHER walking horse organization. 13 HIOs, two or three ‘registries’, and a double handful of what are politely termed ‘industry organizations’. I like to call them Acronyms. FAST, PHSA, and any other combination of letters you can think of-- they all equal yet another attempt to create another organization.
Why? Because part of the industry is being run by crooks, and it is broken. The HIOs in existence were crooked and dirty-- NWHA and FOSH rose up to take on the task of cleaning up the show ring. FOSH went several steps further, and is actively lobbying for passage of the PAST Act, and an end to soring. NWHA held a National show this year with NO violations (pending foreign substance, if that was taken). These are successes, make no mistake.
However, NWHA has never had a strong interest in developing a true registry, and FOSH also is focused elsewhere. So while there was a place for sound horse people to show, and a way for sound people to lobby, there was ultimately the hard sick truth-- you want to register your horse? Then you have to give your money to TWHBEA. That has meant that you turn your dues and registration fees over to a group of people who are rabid about supporting pads, chains, and yes, soring. We now as an industry have a large number of horses that aren’t registered because their owners refuse to give money to TWHBEA. We have a voice, claiming to be the SOLE breed representative, sending letters claiming the PAST Act is a bad deal that will destroy the industry.
Some of us became tired of fighting to make TWHBEA become sound. Some of us realized a sickening truth-- that if forced to become sound, TWHBEA just might be perfectly happy to burn down the house behind them as the lickers and burners leave. They have been holding our breed hostage for years, claiming that the industry can’t survive without stacks and chains, and supporting members and officers who have been quoted as making nasty comments about nonpadded horses. We are done with letting them do that, and we are done with waiting on them (forty years?) to become sound horse advocates, so the World Walking Horse Association is now reality.
People can now register their horses and not wonder where the money is going, and how it will be spent. People can breed and maintain records with an organization that promotes the natural Walking Horse. WWHA will be recognizing the talented Walking Horse in all sound venues-- our goal is to work with sound HIOs for show points, and other sound organizations for programs like endurance, competitive trail, driving, and many more.
We are currently headed by Marty Irby as president, with a stellar crew of directors to support the natural sound walking horse. We are on a mission to support the growth of the Walking horse as a breed that is smooth, gentle, intelligent, and people-oriented. It’s time for the words “Walking Horse” to mean something positive to everyone. The World Walking Horse Association is giving those who left our industry to avoid the stigma of Big Lick an opportunity to come back and support this wonderful breed.
If you have any questions, let me know. I’ll check in periodically to help clarify any confusion. 
[QUOTE=Shansurri;7270314]
It’s been a busy year, so I apologize for letting the other thread on the Tennessee Walking Horse Soring issue go by without me.
I want to weigh in on WWHA. We’ve had people express concern regarding the creation of (yes, I KNOW) yet ANOTHER walking horse organization. 13 HIOs, two or three ‘registries’, and a double handful of what are politely termed ‘industry organizations’. I like to call them Acronyms. FAST, PHSA, and any other combination of letters you can think of-- they all equal yet another attempt to create another organization.
Why? Because part of the industry is being run by crooks, and it is broken. The HIOs in existence were crooked and dirty-- NWHA and FOSH rose up to take on the task of cleaning up the show ring. FOSH went several steps further, and is actively lobbying for passage of the PAST Act, and an end to soring. NWHA held a National show this year with NO violations (pending foreign substance, if that was taken). These are successes, make no mistake.
However, NWHA has never had a strong interest in developing a true registry, and FOSH also is focused elsewhere. So while there was a place for sound horse people to show, and a way for sound people to lobby, there was ultimately the hard sick truth-- you want to register your horse? Then you have to give your money to TWHBEA. That has meant that you turn your dues and registration fees over to a group of people who are rabid about supporting pads, chains, and yes, soring. We now as an industry have a large number of horses that aren’t registered because their owners refuse to give money to TWHBEA. We have a voice, claiming to be the SOLE breed representative, sending letters claiming the PAST Act is a bad deal that will destroy the industry.
Some of us became tired of fighting to make TWHBEA become sound. Some of us realized a sickening truth-- that if forced to become sound, TWHBEA just might be perfectly happy to burn down the house behind them as the lickers and burners leave. They have been holding our breed hostage for years, claiming that the industry can’t survive without stacks and chains, and supporting members and officers who have been quoted as making nasty comments about nonpadded horses. We are done with letting them do that, and we are done with waiting on them (forty years?) to become sound horse advocates, so the World Walking Horse Association is now reality.
People can now register their horses and not wonder where the money is going, and how it will be spent. People can breed and maintain records with an organization that promotes the natural Walking Horse. WWHA will be recognizing the talented Walking Horse in all sound venues-- our goal is to work with sound HIOs for show points, and other sound organizations for programs like endurance, competitive trail, driving, and many more.
We are currently headed by Marty Irby as president, with a stellar crew of directors to support the natural sound walking horse. We are on a mission to support the growth of the Walking horse as a breed that is smooth, gentle, intelligent, and people-oriented. It’s time for the words “Walking Horse” to mean something positive to everyone. The World Walking Horse Association is giving those who left our industry to avoid the stigma of Big Lick an opportunity to come back and support this wonderful breed.
If you have any questions, let me know. I’ll check in periodically to help clarify any confusion. :D[/QUOTE]
I believe with the new by law changes being currently voted upon. TWHBEA as built and lit the bonfire at association headquarters.
The bylaw rules passed at TWHBEA-- those outside of Tennessee pretty much no longer have a voice (although they didn’t have much of one before).
Who is the president now? And what are the fees to join and register horses
