![[SeMissourian.com]](http://www.t-g.com/images/nameplate.png)
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Post comment
Share link
del.icio.us
Digg
StumbleUpon
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Furl
Reddit
GoogleThe National Horse Show Commission (NHSC), made up of representatives of the WHTA A and the Walking Horse Owners' Association (WHOA), concurred with the vote of the Trainers, accepting the Plan with the proposed changes in a 7-1 decision in a separate meeting.
Wink Groover serves as both the president of the WHTA and the chairman of the NHSC.
"I am thrilled with the decision and the process it represents," said Groover by phone last night. "This is a great step forward for the Walking Horse industry."
Speaking to the 147 WHTA voting members present at the office on North Main Street yesterday, Groover said he wanted each trainer there to make a decision based on his or her personal belief for what was the best path for the breed.
The votes were cast after an open floor discussion of the Operating Plan and the proposed changes to that proposal.
"Whatever the majority of us agree on," said Groover to the standing room only crowd, "let's hold our heads high and all go along with the same thing. Let's not have any bickering, arguing, and splintering among us."
Bill Hawks of AgWorks Solutions spoke to the members as well.
Hawks, CEO of the negotiating group representing the WHTA and the NHSC in Washington with USDA officials, was called a "savior" by Groover.
"This gentleman has been our savior this year, along with all of you," Groover said. "This is the first time in our history that we have had someone to open doors in high levels in the (USDA) Department. We have to trust that he knows what he is doing … He's telling us this (signing the plan) is the thing to do."
After further discussion of the proposed USDA agreement, and Hawks' answers to floor-posed questions, the assembly voted two to one to accept and sign the Operating Plan.
"I think it's really a good thing for the industry," said Groover last night. "I think we have turned a corner and the industry is headed in the right direction."
Though Groover said he hadn't discussed the affiliation program offered through the NHSC with The Celebration, he had faith that a decision would be forthcoming in the next few days as to which HIO-program the world grand championship event would affiliate.
"This vote by the Trainers and the Commission is good for the industry," he reiterated. "I am proud of the way the meeting was handled and in the work of Bill Hawks. I am just as proud of the way the trainers have presented their horses this year.
"I think the decision by the trainers to fully invest in this program shows they are more than willing to cooperate with the rules and regulations of the USDA. They have been (cooperating) all year long. This vote is positive move for the Walking Horse industry."
Following the vote yesterday, Hawks commended the trainers and thanked those remaining at the WHTA office for their decision.
The vote, he said, "gives us the ability to continue to do the things we've been doing (in Washington). Thank you for the job you are doing. You (the trainers) are empowering us to be strong advocates for you. You took the recommendation. Thank you."
With the acceptance of the Operating Plan, the WHTA and the NHSC will fall under federal guidelines for showing or exhibiting any horse as outlined in the Horse Protection Act which includes the Scar Rule, originated in 1972.
Throughout this show season, although the Plan was not officially signed, the NHSC, the governing body of the Walking Horse industry, has continued to implement the rules developed under USDA guidelines of past Operating Plans.
By accepting the newest proposal by the USDA, the trainers, owners and Commission will show under the same basic guidelines of the past with a few updated penalty phases. These penalties, as well as the re-wording of a handful of rules in the Plan, had been the sticking point for trainers and Commission members since it's unveiling in January.