The Tennessee Walking Horse Foundation, a non-profit organization that was reactivated in February to provide funding to promote the breed, has a newly-elected board of directors and newly-constructed web site.

Though the Foundation is independent of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA), several of its board members also serve on the executive committee of TWHBEA. The Foundation's intent is to assist TWHBEA through its fundraising efforts.

Kathy Zeis, board president of the Foundation, said the Foundation became active again, after several years of serving in a limited capacity, to help TWHBEA through financial hardships.

"In January, when the financial situation of TWHBEA became known, the Foundation was asked to become more active and a new board was elected to help find funding for established programs that might become defunct without their assistance," said Zeis.

"The Foundation is exploring the process of applying for grant monies to fund areas that the Foundation board feels are vital to the industry and to the horse."

The Foundation Board is comprised of Zeis, president; Dee Dee Sale, secretary/treasurer; Bob Cherry; Jack Heffington; Joni Jenné; David Pruett; Janice Fostek; Debra Jack; Christy Lantis; and Kasey Kesselring, grant committee chairman.

Through its web site (www.tennesseewalkinghorsefoundation.org), the Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization, is collecting funds to promote the following key areas: youth programs, public education, animal welfare, historical preservation and protection for the heritage of the breed, and therapeutic riding programs.

The Foundation has already provided funding for a Youth Challenge Program, which is sponsored by TWHBEA and the Walking Horse Owners' Association (WHOA). This program ensures the availability of youth canter classes across the country.

"The Tennessee Walking Horse is renowned for its famous 'rocking chair canter' and the Foundation feels it is important this gait remain a part of the future of the breed," said Janice Fostek, board member.

Another more immediately goal of the Foundation is to provide funding for the industry's academy program, a program that provides new riders of all ages with a chance to take riding lessons from certified riding instructors.

Long term goals include assisting with the funding of public education, animal welfare and historical preservation.

"Work has begun to establish committees to organize and implement various methods of fundraising for the organization," said Fostek. "The vision of [the board] is to establish a substantial endowment fund to equitably provide for the Tennessee Walking Horse and the industry."

In 1989, TWHBEA formed the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' Foundation with its primary goal being to promote the walking horse.

"In 1999 an exploratory committee was formed by TWHBEA to widen the scope of the Foundation and the name was changed to the Tennessee Walking Horse Foundation," said Zeis.

"Though a certain number of directors come from the TWHBEA executive committee and the [Foundation board] must be approved by the TWHBEA executive board, the Foundation board is a separate entity and the scope has been enlarged to provide a way to help all Tennessee Walking Horses and all parts of the industry."

Contributors who make online contributions are given the choice to donate to the following funds: General, Academy, animal welfare, Rick Major's adult Make-A-Wish, scholarship, therapeutic or endowment. Donations are tax deductible.