The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration will affiliate its 2008 events with the National Horse Show Commission. Taking part in the announcement were (from left) David L. Howard, Celebration Chairman; National Horse Show Commission Chairman and Walking Horse Owners' Association President Frank E. Neal; and Walking Horse Trainers Association President Link Webb. (Submitted photo) [Click to enlarge]

The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration announced that its 70th world championship horse show and the 38th Annual Celebration Spring Fun Show will be affiliated with the National Horse Show Commission (NHSC).

The Celebration will select its judging panel for both shows from the NHSC's pool of judges. The NHSC will also provide DQPs (Designated Qualified Persons) to inspect all entries at each of the events.

"I'm very glad we are able to make this announcement before the show season ever begins," Celebration Chairman David L. Howard said. "We have been affiliated with the NHSC since its inception and felt there was no need to change that."

The Celebration's board of directors made it clear in 2007 that it wanted the event to be affiliated with a horse industry organization that had signed the 2007-09 USDA Operating Plan. The NHSC is a signatory of that document.

"We're very proud of our relationship with The Celebration and Spring Fun Show," NHSC Chairman Frank E. Neal said. "The Operating Plan has proven to be workable for our trainers and owners and, most importantly, continues to ensure the health and safety of the animals at horse shows all across the country."

The NHSC DQPs work closely with the Veterinary Medical Officers (VMOs) from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"The working relationship between the DQPs, VMOs, trainers, owners, exhibitors, and show management was outstanding last year," Walking Horse Trainers' Association President Link Webb said. "This agreement allows all parties to continue that positive momentum into this show season."

In addition to the affiliation agreement with the NHSC, The Celebration put in place several initiatives in 2007 geared toward protecting all the animals on site, the integrity of the event, and the enforcement of the Horse Protection Act. The initiatives were described as a "model for other shows to work from" by USDA officials.