Professional golfer Tiger Woods once said, "In order to get better you must first get worse." Throughout the decades of professional competition of the walking horse industry, much the same can be said.

In 20-year cycles, according to Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration CEO Ron Thomas, the industry has often gotten worse before getting better.

Thomas first attended The Celebration at the age of 13, a time when many young men his age were playing baseball or fishing by the lake. Thomas was thrilled with the horses and the competition, a pleasure that still takes his blood racing. In 1973 he joined the staff of the show professionally and has been perfecting his techniques of quality ever since.

"I can remember as a young man sleeping on a cot with the colts in one of the back barns," Thomas reminisces. "That was in the day when along about two in the morning someone would run through the barns screaming that Bob McQuerry was going to work Pusher up on the hill. Everyone would go running to watch. They don't do that anymore."

There is a twinkle in his eye as he recalls the majestic gray stallion and his Kentucky trainer that later earned the title of World Grand Champion. The excitement of the big horse and the post-midnight training session still lives on in Thomas' heart.

"The trainers don't work horses like that anymore," he said again. "They don't because things have changed. Times have changed. The resistance to change is one of our biggest problems."

Believing that everything is relative to the period of "today," Thomas related that changes have taken place over the life of The Celebration because of changes mandated in the industry itself.

"In the 1950s horses were trained in one way," said Thomas, "and that way was OK in the context of that time but it would not be acceptable today. The Horse Protection Act (HPA) of 1970 saved our lives."

Thomas said the training techniques prior to the HPA often left scars due to the heavy training bracelets and the methods used on horses' feet. The HPA set specific guidelines as to training practices in hopes of eliminating these practices.

"No law ever eliminates a problem," Thomas admitted, "it simply tries to control it. In 1988 Judge Oliver Gash shut down the (National) Trainers Show in (Decatur) Alabama. He specifically called for less foot, less pad and less weight. The trainers were against all the changes but the changes had to be made."

Thomas said the result of complying with the court order gave the industry a swingier horse. Now today, almost two decades later, America has changed again, and again, the worst had to happen for the better industry to arise.

Thomas recalled the 2006 Celebration events with regret, saying decisions had to be made on a moment's notice in some cases. Mediation and other events caused classes to be rescheduled or completely omitted. Though The Celebration took a hard hit financially, Thomas said the Celebration directors are committed to standing with the walking horse industry.

"Americans today see horses like any other companion animal, not as livestock," Thomas explained. "They expect horses to receive the same treatment as other companion animals. But the horse is not. It's an athlete -- conditioned well. In order to get an athlete, you have to work it as an athlete."

Thomas referenced the logging mules used in the mid-state area as an example of a true athlete. According to Thomas, each day the mule is taken from his stall and readied for a day's work. At the end of the day, the harness is removed and calluses are seen. These calluses are formed from the continual work the animal has done. The mule is cooled down, given feed, hay and water and allowed to rest. The next day, the athlete trains again. Thomas said that the walking horse contender is the same. Each day the athlete trains to become conditioned and honed at his skill. Calluses are often formed on pasterns from training devices but not from abuse.

"One of the biggest mistakes we (the industry) made in 1970 was the Scar Rule. We allowed the callus to be called a scar. This is wrong. Sometimes a callus has to be formed in any athletic training."

A clinic to be held Feb. 10 at Calsonic arena will allow media and participants of the Designated Qualified Persons (DQPs) and Veterinary Medical Officers (VMOs) a first hand opportunity to work with representatives of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the definitions of "scar" vs "callus." The clinic will allow the understanding, both by visual and physical detection, of what a true callus is.

"The Walking Horse Trainers Association (WHTA) board and president Wink Groover are doing a great job in working on these examples," Thomas said. "They may not like all the changes to get the industry back on track, but they understand the changes are necessary. They know that a positive image, a sound horse in the show ring is the only thing that will keep the industry alive."

When asked how The Celebration was preparing for the new season of shows that kicks off in late March with the National Trainers Show scheduled in Calsonic Arena, Thomas was optimistic but reserved.

"In 1988, the changes made gave us an exciting show horse," he began. "Today, we can still have exciting horses but the ball is in the trainers' court. They will have to follow the rules.

"One of our biggest strengths has been our (The Celebration's) independence. We are made up of independent business people on a board. That's a real strength. We are going to take a proactive rule in the industry, encouraging good clean, sound horses in the show ring.."

Thomas said the rules for the industry would be released sometime in March through the website of the USDA. The Operating Plan 2007-2009 would outline specifics for trainers and owners alike.

"Trainers are the real key here," Thomas said, "because owners are here to have fun. This is the thing they do on the weekends while the trainers are the ones who make a living from this. The trainers must follow the rules.

"Can our industry be better? Yes. Does our horse live a good life today? Yes, a very good life but we can try to do even better."

Thomas said The Celebration Board of Directors would be watching the industry closely for the next 60 days. During that time an executive director for the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA) is expected to be announced. The National Horse Show Commission (NHSC) had recently created new committees and will hire heads of those divisions. An inspection coordinator is expected as one of these changes.

Thomas said they will also be watching to see the reaction by the trainers and others to the clinics offered like the Feb. 10 event in addition to the USDA's interpretation of the scar rule and the official wording of the Operating Plan.

"Then there's the Trainers' Show," said Thomas. "What are trainers bringing to the show? We expect a different look. The trainers are really the only ones that can follow through."

In the end, Thomas is still expecting an exciting horse. He and the board are expecting a horse that will have the west grandstands rising to their feet come August's edition of The Celebration.

"Last year was a disappointment for the fans," he said with remorse. "Not only was there no final class (World Grand Championship crowning event was canceled) but many of the classes had only a few entries in the ring.

"I promise one thing this year. I promise our guests a Celebration that will be exciting and have them on their feet. We want the people to have fun and we want excitement in the ring again."

Thomas outlined several new items that will take place throughout the 10-day event, including a Charity Night. He explained proceeds from one night this past year benefited Hurricane Katrina victims with over $20,000 in donations.

"Americans are very giving people," he said. "They reach down and give and give. The board has decided to do that same type donation for one charity in Bedford County each year."

He explained that the Charity Night guidelines would be released in coming weeks but said that any charitable organization in Bedford County would be eligible to apply.

As Thomas remembered his Celebrations of the past, it was obvious to this writer the true admiration he holds for the breed. After 24 years of heading The Celebration, his enthusiasm for the longest continually running event in the state is abundant.

"This horse is a wonderfully talented breed," he said. "I can remember the excitement in the stands when horses were called in to the grass because the visitors knew there was a workout between the selected few coming. That excitement will return to The Celebration, I promise that.

"I believe in this industry. In 1988, changes had to be made. They did it then and I believe they (trainers) will make the needed changes again. We as an industry must present, beginning with the first show of 2007, a different horse. The Celebration is here for the industry. We are optimistic."