Please mark your calendars for our 58th Annual National Trainers Show, March 26-28th, 2026. The show will be held at Cooper Steele Arena with a 5:30 pm start time each night. Please click the link below for more event information.

58th Annual National Trainers Show

TrainersShowClassSheet2026.pdf

The 58th Annual WHTA Awards Banquet will take place February 13-14th, 2026 at the Embassy Suites in Franklin, TN. Please click on the link below for full event information including ticket purchasing and hotel reservations. Please note, the deadline to receive the hotel rate is January 22nd, 2026.  Contact Kailin at the office by phone (931)808-0955 or email at whtrainers@gmail.com with any questions. We look forward to celebrating with you!

WHTA Awards Banquet

Horse of the Year Voting will take place January 4th-14th, 2026 online at the link below. Please have your trainers license number readily available to log in. If you should have any trouble logging in, please contact Kailin at the office by call/text at (931)808-0955 or by email at whtrainers@gmail.com

VOTE HERE

Welcome to our new website!

While this site functions essentially the same as our previous site to the public, there are a few new perks such as event registration, sponsorship opportunity applications, and payment abilities! For our trainers however, this website operates as membership system with the ability view and renew your license, locate member contacts, vote in polls, participate in forums, and access member sensitive information. Internally, we are able to better track involvement and communicate more effectively.

Please check your e-mail for a notification that your membership has been activated on whta.wildapricot.org with directions to set up your new password. We will transfer our walkinghorsetrainers.com domain to this website in the near future. Check back for news, events, updates, and more and please reach out if you have questions or need any assistance! 

Date: October 13, 2025

To: All Licensed Trainers, Exhibitors, and Show Management
From: Board of Directors, Walking Horse Trainers’ Association (WHTA)
Subject: Immediate Rule Implementation – Use of Bungies and Hind Limb Action Devices

During the WHTA Board of Directors Meeting on October 9, 2025, the following was passed:

Effective immediately – The use of bungies on any limb or any type of action device, such as chains, rollers, etc. on the hind limbs of any Tennessee Walking Horse are not permitted on show grounds at any time.

This decision reflects the Association’s continued commitment to horse welfare and the integrity of our sport. All trainers, exhibitors, and participants are expected to adhere to this directive without exception.

Violation of this rule will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the WHTA Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Thank you for your cooperation and dedication to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism within our industry.

Approved by:
Board of Directors
Walking Horse Trainers’ Association, Inc

A NOTE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

Hope everyone is doing well! I just wanted to send a note of encouragement to everyone as we go into the fall portion of our show season. We are working on having one of the best show seasons we’ve had in recent years and I encourage us all to finish strong in presentation and participation. After witnessing one of the best Celebrations in recent years as far as participation, excitement, attendance, and heavy competition, it is crucial that we continue this upward momentum. We have ALL worked hard together to improve so that we can see our business flourish and grow and only we, the TRAINERS, can continue to make that happen. We have covered a lot of ground but there is still more ground to go! Let’s all maintain a positive vision for our future as we continue to do what we love. Again, I am asking all of us to continue to present our horses at the shows the best that we ever have, to participate in numbers, and to finish strong on this successful show season! Good luck and thank you to all!

Spencer Benedict

President, WHTA