Walking Horse Trainers’ Association
P.O. Box 61
Shelbyville, TN 37162
Phone: (931) 684-5866
Fax: (931)684-5895

 September 16, 2006

 Dear WHTA Member:

This letter is to inform you of action taken by the WHTA Board of Directors in order to make our association a stronger, more Informed and organized group. On Thursday, September 7, me WHTA Board brought attorney, Charles R. Terry of Morristown, Tennessee, in as our new advisor. The same day, the Association contracted with Alday Communications of Franklin, Tennessee, to provide public relations services and insure that all the information concerning the action of the Board of Directors and Committees of the Association will be promptly distributed to the press and members of the Association.

 A committee was formed to assist Mr. Terry with his advisory position. The committee includes:

Advisor
Charles R. Terry (attorney)
P. O. Box 724
Morristown, TN 37814
800-518-3779

Chairman Wink Groover
1112 Bark Ranch Road
Longview, TX 75605
903- 668-4619

Link Webb
2460 Hwy 64W
Lewisburg, TN 37091
931-359-6801

Mack Motes
4785 Hwy. 41 A, North
Eagleville, TN 37060
615- 274-6144

Justin Jenne'
P.O. Box 723
Shelbyville, TN 37162
800-684-7884

Leigh Bennett
636 Mt, Lebanon Road
Alvaton, KY 42122
270-781-8237

Allan Callaway
1447 Hwy 64 W
Shelbyville, TN 37160
931-685-0053

The Advisory Committee met for the first time on Tuesday, September 12. Mr. Terry requested that each member list ideas for discussion that would address and attempt to provide solutions to problems that have plagued our industry and our Association. Below you will find topics that will be implemented immediately.

1.  Mr. Terry will be the "voice" or spokesperson for the WHTA.

2.  Alday Communications will be responsible for our press releases and generating publicity.

3.  The statistics for our show season and the Celebration are available. These statistics show how hard our association is working to comply with the HPA. (There was a great deal of improvement in the number of horses turned down for alleged bilateral sensitivity at the Celebration from last year to this year (2005-19: 2006 - 10), this is a 53% decrease in one year.) The 2006 Celebration inspected 3,241 horses, with only 10 horses in alleged violation of bilateral sensitivity. This is .31%.

4.  The Advisory Committee has recognized the need for a line of communication by fax, letter or phone between the Board of Directors and Advisory Committee to all members of the Association. There will be an open line of communication, at all times, between the Board of Directors, Advisory Committee and membership. A line of communication will be set up so that you, as a member, are made aware of decisions that are being made.

5.  We want the membership to be proactive. This will include making phone calls and sending letters, when necessary. One such issue needing your help will be the Slaughter Bill (S-1915) coming up for a vote in the Senate. You will be given information pertaining to your Senators and how to reach them by phone or fax. We encourage you to get support and help from your customers, employees, friends and family on this issue. The bill has already passed in the House of Representatives and it is imperative for our industry that this bill fails in the Senate. You will be provided with all of the tools you need to make this a simple process.

6.  We want to see private practice veterinarians that are checking our horses have a stronger voice. They are great allies and assets for our association mat will be utilized more in the future. A number of equine veterinarians in the Middle Tennessee area have expressed an interest in becoming more proactive and lending a strong voice of support for the Walking Horse Industry. In many instances they are or will be making statements that are supportive of our industry and our efforts to be in complete compliance with all rules, regulations and plans.

 7.  The Trainers Association will set up and advise the membership that the Advisory Committee discussed, at length and in detail, a lot of ideas and plans that they will recommend and implement to insure that the Trainers Association has the credibility that it deserves in dealing with all the issues that the trainers face and will face in the months ahead. The Association will make every effort to become politically active for the purpose of generating good will and/or legislation that will be beneficial to the Walking Horse Industry.

8.  Your Board of Directors and Advisory Committee is keenly aware of the problems that developed at the Celebration and we can assure you they arc receiving our undivided attention.

9.  Please take time to fill out the enclosed questionnaire so that we may better serve you. It is very important that we are able to update the files at the WHTA so that you can be reached. We need your current address, phone number, (including cell), your fax number and an e-mail address. We also realize you have contacts that can make our Association stronger, and our voice be heard. This may be a connection to a newspaper, TV or even a congressman or woman. Our customers also want to help. Please share any information that may help our Association.

10. There will be a space on the questionnaire for your comments and suggestions. They will be read and discussed.

Your participation with this questionnaire is critical to our success.

We are acutely aware of the problems that are feeing each of us, as trainers, and our breed as a whole. We want you to be confident that your Association is working on your behalf to address and solve these problems in a timely manner.

Thank you for your time and response. It is truly an important time to be involved.

Sincerely,

The Advisory Committee