Wartrace show steps on

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Trainer Jimmy McConnell and Busting Special wait for the floral horseshoe of the championship at the 2008 Wartrace Horse Show. This year's show will be Aug. 1.
(T-G File Photo by Mary Reeves)
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With more than a century of history behind it, the Wartrace Horse Show is known as one of the oldest in the state. But this year, it almost became known as the show that wasn't.

"What began as a shaky start is now full steam ahead," said show manager Roy Ferguson. "The show will go on."

Increased attendance from the USDA inspectors and decreased attendance from the audience and exhibitors are some of the reasons the show's future was uncertain -- those, and the economic environment. Class sponsorships weren't coming in like they had in the past.

"There was some question as to whether or not the Wartrace Horse Show would continue its long tradition as the show committee began work on the 2009 show," said Ferguson in a press release. "But the horse community and the local community have thrown tremendous support to this historic event."

Money pours in

Slated Aug. 1 at the Wartrace show grounds, this will be the 103rd show, and the box seats are already sold out. Recent issues within the industry haven't affected the fact that there has been a waiting list for years for these seats.

Sponsors from corporate to individual levels came through when it looked as thought the traditional show might be canceled, with funds coming in from around the nation, including California, Mississippi, Texas and North Carolina. Local businesses and individuals in the horse industry have also shown support for the show, with more than $6,000 already committed in the first pre-show efforts of the show committee.

"There are still a few classes available for sponsorship for $300 each," said Ferguson. "'Blue Ribbon' sponsorships are available for $75, 'Red Ribbon' sponsorships are $50 and 'Yellow Ribbon' sponsorships are available for $25."

Help still needed

He stressed all levels of sponsorships are important for the success of the show and for the continued funding of important community projects -- the purpose behind the show. The Wartrace Horse Show is a joint community volunteer effort of the East Bedford Civic Club and the Cascade Parent Teachers Organization. Once a year, the two groups join to form the "Civic Enterprises of Wartrace" and sponsor the Wartrace Horse Show.

East Bedford Civic Club, which focuses its contributions primarily to community youth's activities, is the largest contributor and supporter of Cascade School, donating over $10,000 each year to school projects and activities. The Wartrace Horse Show and the Celebration's popcorn stand are the two primary sources of revenue for the community projects.

New classes

Since Wartrace is known as "The Cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse," the show's commitment to colt classes is still strong, with classes offered in weanling fillies, weanling colts, yearling fillies and yearling horse colts. Classes have been added to include youth and adult trail classes and country pleasure divisions, and Wartrace is working closely with Belfast, its "sister city" when it comes to one-night shows.

"The two shows are 'sharing' classes in the aged divisions to make sure everyone who wants to show has a class. For instance, Wartrace will be offering the Two-Year-Old Stud class and Belfast will be offering the Two-Year-Old Mares/Gelding Class. Belfast will offer the Three-Year-Old Stud class and Wartrace will list the Three-Year-Old Mares/Gelding class. Belfast will be held the Friday night before Wartrace on Friday, July 31," stated the release.

A 'homecoming'

"Both shows are very traditional shows with deep community roots and history in the horse industry," said Nancy Edwards, who chairs the event. "Families from the horse industry with deep ties to the early horse history in the area are still key supporters of the show, including the Dement and Brantley families, along with many others. The show has become a homecoming celebration for these families, the horse community and the local community."

According to show manager Ferguson, "the most valuable support our community can provide is by actually attending the show; bringing your families, having supper with us at the concession stand and helping us continue this long-standing tradition as a community."

If you go

The Wartrace Horse Show begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at the show grounds. General admission tickets are $5 each, with children 12 and under admitted free. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Comments

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I just hope the USDA inspectors dont ruin this event again this year because this helps fund many great causes in the area and especially for children.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Wed, Jul 8, 2009, at 11:47 AM

Although the USDA may seem to be a major stumbling block for some, what they do is very humane for the horses. The gait of the TN Walking Horse is a beautiful site and can be achieved without torturing the hooves of these animals. Sometimes too many people get so focused on the "dollar" sign $$$$$$ they have no concern for the feelings of the wonderful animal that has brought such prosperity to this community over the years. Show your horses, and show your pride but do it the right way...without any harm to the animal. All would be better off that way.

-- Posted by picmoma on Wed, Jul 8, 2009, at 1:23 PM

I live in Wartrace most of my life. And it still feel like home to me. I have a picture postard of the Walking Horse Hotel, when it was a Show Place. It has the owner setting in the lobby with all Grand Champion's Pictures. Instead of moving the W.H.M to Lynchburg, it would been better to had it in the Hotel, because Strolling Jim is buried behind there and it would all been together. So good luck with Horse Show and as they always say "LET THEM WALK ON!"

-- Posted by tnwoman1948 on Wed, Jul 8, 2009, at 2:12 PM

The USDA has nothing to do with the so called mess of the last 2 or 3 years.

The mess was created by so called 'trainers' who have no idea how to truly train an animal so they have to resort to cruelty to achieve their own greedy needs.

I do also believe the USDA could have used much better methods in what they did but by being so incredibly public at least the word of their no nonsense actions spread far and wide.

The truth today is pretty simple. Horses being shown today for the most part are trained not tortured to learn their required behavior.

-- Posted by BobM on Wed, Jul 8, 2009, at 4:29 PM

I was born and raised up in wartrace, married and move away, but if time permit I would come to the horse and meet old friends, it has been the high light of my visits to wartrace, now that I have moved back to shelbyville, and older I still enjoy the Wartrace Horse Show. My Daddy passed away in 1990 and it really hasn't been the same, but horses is the most beautiful animals to me there is.

Libby

-- Posted by libbywh@gmail.com on Wed, Jul 8, 2009, at 6:19 PM

Get ready, the USDA will be there doing their best to put an end to the show. If they really and truly wanted to stop the bad trainers all they would have to do is perform unannounced visits to training barns. Only horses recorded at and tracible to the barn can be shown. A trainer that is caught using unapproved training methods could be caught in the act and removed. The DQP would be needed to regulate at the show grounds to insure that the horse is not harmed from the barn to the show. We can cry and scream foul but they (the USDA) don't care because they have the power and don't mind flexing their muscles. I could go on and say more but it is just a waste of breath/time. It seems apparent that the (USDA) sought after end to this is to close the walking horse industry down. That would be a shame and unfair to many people, including me. I hope that it doesn't come to that. Good luck to the Show. I hope that things improve so that people can continue to enjoy the horses as I have for so many years.

-- Posted by thebadguy on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 9:38 AM