Longtime DQP Messick ready to retire

Lonnie Messick, who is retiring as the director of animal welfare/DQP services for the National Horse Show Commission, demonstrates how to detect signs of soring. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

While Lonnie Messick was laid up with a bum knee earlier this year, he had a lot of time to think.

"I got to thinking about it was time to go out and have some fun," said the executive vice president and director of animal welfare/DQP services for the National Horse Show Commission.

And that's exactly what he's going to do. Messick recently announced his retirement and was honored for his work Dec. 6 at the Walking Horse Trainers' Association's annual banquet.

"Lonnie has seen our industry through some major changes and has been a steadfast leader," said emcee Bobby Sands, quoting Mark Farrar, NHSC chairman. "His dedication to fairness and the welfare of our horses is unparalleled in the history of the walking horse industry."

Early DQP

Messick was one of the very first Designated Qualified Persons -- the officials who inspect the horses before and after the class, making sure the horse is sound. The DQPs inspect for evidence of illegal training practices and injuries that may harm the horse, such as soring; or evidence that those activities have taken place, via the "Scar Rule."

Since 1973, Messick has not only observed and examined horses and trainers, he's taught hundreds of others how to do so as well. It's a passion that has passed into family tradition. His two surviving sons, Christopher, a teacher in Florida, and Andy, an attorney in Murfreesboro, are DQPs. His middle son, Brian, was killed in a car wreck in 1990.

How Messick got into horses is no surprise.

"I grew up on a farm all my life and we had horses," the Murfreesboro native said. "I bought a mare in 1960 and started raising some colts."

Trainer Buddy Moore lived nearby and Messick worked with the industry legend for years, showing mares, colts and weanlings. Messick soon learned to judge the shows as well, and even officiated at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in 1994 and 1996.

Cop on 'patrol'

How Messick came to be a DQP is also no surprise. Who better to become a policing agent for the walking horse industry than a policeman?

"I went to work for the Murfreesboro Police Department in 1965," he said.

Messick was taking classes at Middle Tennessee State University at the time, with intentions of becoming a teacher and a coach. But by the time he graduated, he was already making more money as an officer and had already been promoted several times. When he retired 32 years later, in 1998, it was as assistant chief.

He had done DQP and judging work in the horse show industry all along, but when he came to the NHSC offices in 1998, it was to a full time position. As the DQP coordinator, he had a full plate ready for him.

"It's four jobs rolled into one," said Messick. "I assign DQPs to shows. I monitor their performance, I put together refresher courses, and I work with the Department of Agriculture to make sure the Horse Protection Act is enforced at horse shows and sales."

It hasn't exactly been an easy job, especially with the implementation of the Scar Rule, which many in the industry believe is too subjective and open to misinterpretation.

"We have joint refresher courses for the DQPs and VMOs (veterinary medical officers)," he said. "Their interpretations sometimes differ. In joint training, we try to come to some kind of an agreement, but we still run into situations when we have troubles."

Originally, the DQPs would simply disqualified a horse from showing at that particular show if it showed signs of soring, but since they started issuing citations, the paperwork has mounted up in the NHSC offices, and Messick got to deal with that, as well as coordinating the hearings where owners and trainers have the chance to appeal those citations.

Supportive staff

All of those factors make Messick extremely grateful for support, from the office staff to the board of directors.

"The staff here is excellent," he said. "We have an outstanding group of people. I've been lucky to have had people of that quality to work with."

The feeling is mutual. Both Penny Isaacs, penalties coordinator, and Rachel Reed, the NHSC secretary/treasurer, say there is a reason Messick's replacement has yet to be found.

"He can't be replaced," said Reed.

"He's absolutely wonderful," said Isaacs.

The walking horse industry itself -- which has more than once found itself in conflict with government regulations and HPA enforcers -- has shown its appreciation for Messick's work. Besides the reception and gift from the WHTA, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association also recognized him, honoring him with a plaque and proclaiming him a breed ambassador of the performance horse for 2008.

Labor of love

A major reason is probably because Messick truly loves the breed and truly wants to see it prosper. Need proof? Messick has two walking horses himself, a broodmare and a gelding he showed as a two- and three-year-old -- more than 20 years ago.

"They'll be with me 'til they die," he said, grinning.

He is happy with the progress the industry has made since the days when soring was common, and he hopes to see the trend continue.

"People in the industry have changed," he said. "It's been a continuation of working together for the horse and I think we're moving forward in that effort.

"You don't see (soring) that much any more," he said. "Most people are working hard and trying to keep the horses in real good shape."

Messick will continue to make that happen, too. He may be retiring from the NHSC position, but he will continue to work as a judge and a DQP. He'll also be working for the city of Murfreesboro again, part time, 10 years exactly after he retired as a 'Boro police officer.

"I don't think I'll ever get to really retire," he joked. "But I never got to take a good vacation until now. I'm looking forward to that."

Messick plans to take some free time and "get out on the lake" more, spending time with his bride of four months, Perri.