Trainers Show ends on positive note

At 5:45 Saturday evening, the announcement came across the barn intercom in the voice of National Trainers' Show Co-chairman Benny Johnson:

"The officials of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have told me they are pleased with the way the show is running. They approve of the inspection process of the National Horse Show Commission (NHSC) and their Designated Qualified Person (DQP) program. They are pleased, they report, of the care taken of the horses at this show. Congratulations, trainers! Let's show our horses!"

Cheers throughout the barn area and inside the warm up ring rose as a collective sigh was released and the walking horse trainers prepared to do battle in competition rather than on a federal level. Unlike the negotiations held prior to the final days of the National Celebration last August, the agreement to follow rules established by the NHSC under federal guidelines prevailed and the show was a true success for all involved.

David Finger, DQP coordinator of the NHSC, said the show would go down in history as a show that under any circumstances could only be called "great."

"This week has been so gratifying for all of us who have waged the battle for the walking horse industry," he said. "The USDA inspectors were great to work with in all areas. They were very pleased with the way the trainers turned out their horses in both pre- and post-show inspections.

"They were pleased with the DQP program and the way the plan works in the inspection station. Our industry has come a long way since the [National) Celebration in working with the government. We know they have federal regulations to enforce and those regulations are the same as the NHSC. The differences are in the penalties because one is the federal government."

Finger said the overall violation rate throughout the show was less than 1 percent.

"The trainers brought good, clean, sound horses to show, he said. "That doesn't mean that they haven't always shown those horses because more than a few of those shown this week are aged horses that are veterans of the show ring. It simply means that the USDA is confident that the care and attention trainers are giving their horses is working. With 99 percent of those horses checked both pre- and post-show in compliance of the federal regulations, I don't think you can call it anything but fantastic."

Many accolades were given to the trainers as a whole and their current president Wink Groover who has visited with officials several times since he assumed his position in January. Groover has been in negotiations with USDA officials regarding the signing of the Operating Plan 2007-2009 that enforces the Horse Protection Act (HPA) to ensure equine safety. Presently the NHSC has not signed the agreement due to wording conflicts between the two organizations.

"Just because we haven't signed the Operating Plan," said Groover, "doesn't mean we won't. It simply means that as it reads now, it is not acceptable to the NHSC and the trainers and owners that the organization represents. Until the agreement is signed, the shows affiliated with the NHSC will be governed under the rules and regulations of the NHSC."

Though the nerves regarding the beginning of a show season with the USDA present left many trainers questioning their participation, the 39th chapter of the event saw over 650 horses competing for awards. Many of these same champions, according to Trainers' Show history, will repeat their wins in the Calsonic and Celebration ovals come late August.

Announcer Mark Farrar complimented the excitement of the crowd as well as the contenders.

"It is so good to hear your applause," he began, "and to know that you are appreciative of what the walking horse means to Shelbyville and Bedford County. As this county celebrates its 200th anniversary, we are proud to have supporters like you in the stands and entries like these in the show ring."

When asked to show their appreciation to the trainers for the exciting show, the audience rose to their feet to award the show a standing ovation. Members of the show committee saluted the audience as the contenders for the championship stake were called to the show ring.

Like the tradition established by The Celebration years ago, the entries were introduced one-by-one to the audience, building the excitement and letting the horses show their talent. With a heated workout and an extra running walk, the crowd enthusiastically cheered for their favorites.

"This is wonderful," said a lady near the rail. "I haven't heard the crowd so excited about a horse show in a long time."

Despite a thrown shoe that was quickly replaced by the show farrier at lineup, Jeff Hatcher and I'm Packin A Pistol rode away with the roses for Charlene Gibson. Hatcher recently moved his training operation to the Shelbyville area to be nearer a customer base but Gibson is a customer who followed him. She is a resident of Maryland.

Reserve champions were More of the Major and Joe Cotton for Jim and Kay Green while Generators Champion and Joel Weaver rounded out the top three for Brett and Lisa Jones.

Reginald Pimentel of Wartrace is the owner of the Show Pleasure Specialty Champion, Coin's Black Stroke. Trainer John Puckett rode to the roses.

"We have had a great show," said Johnson. "Every year has its obstacles and this one is no exception. But that just makes the victories sweeter. The trainers can be proud of the job they do and the people of this town should be proud of this breed. We're all in it together and the victory is one we all share."