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87-570: The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration (TWHNC), sometimes known as the Celebration , is the largest horse show for the Tennessee Walking Horse breed, and has been held annually in or near Shelbyville, Tennessee since its inception in 1939. The Celebration was conceived by Henry Davis, a horse trainer who along with several other horsemen, felt the Shelbyville area should have

174-451: A "leadline" or "walk-trot" division may be offered for small children or very inexperienced riders; and assorted "freestyle" classes, where a horse and rider perform a routine set to music, are also popular. Rodeos and horse pulling competitions are not technically horse shows, but they are competitive equestrian events, often with a great deal of prize money. Equestrian vaulting is not usually seen at ordinary horse shows, even though it

261-422: A USDA and HPA physical inspection for current and past evidence of soring. This includes scarring on their pastern as it is associated with soring. Soring is often confused with specialized shoeing for animated performance. While controversy also surrounds the use of long toes, stacked pads and weighted chains around the pasterns to enhance a horse’s gait , this is separate from the practice of soring. During

348-400: A brush and wear gloves when applying them. Other methods of soring include pressure shoes, where the hoof is trimmed to the quick so that the sole is in direct contact with the pad or shoe. The horse may then be "road foundered", ridden up and down hard surfaces on the over-trimmed hooves, until they are very sore. Trainers sometimes place objects, such as metal beads, nails, or screws, under

435-399: A combination of the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place colors for Champion and 2nd, 3rd, & 4th for Reserve Champion. Soring Soring is the use of chemicals, pressure or devices to cause pain to the front feet and legs of horses when they touch the ground. This results in the horses picking up their front feet higher and faster than they would do naturally. Sometimes called "fixing", it

522-753: A festival or annual event. Although the Celebration was originally held in Wartrace, Tennessee , it moved to Shelbyville, the seat of Bedford County , a few years later. The Celebration spans 11 days and nights in late August and early September annually, and finishes with the crowning of the World Grand Champion Tennessee Walker on the Saturday night before Labor Day . The TWHNC draws an estimated 2,000 horses and 250,000 spectators to Shelbyville each year. The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration

609-462: A given country. However, in North America, most horse shows provide the following range of classes: English riding classes fall into two primary styles, hunt seat and saddle seat . "Hunt type" or sport horse classes include dressage, show jumping and show hunters , eventing (also called horse trials), and English pleasure or Hunter Under Saddle, also known as a "flat" class, where the event

696-560: A horse named The Royal Dollar in the 74th annual Red Carpet Show of the South. The Royal Dollar placed third in its class, but during a post-show inspection, a veterinary officer of the U.S. Department of Agriculture determined that The Royal Dollar was sore. From 2013 to 2016, the McGartlands received further official warnings and were identified as "violators" on the USDA web site. They sued the USDA, on

783-508: A horse, (C) any tack, nail, screw, or chemical agent has been injected by a person into or used by a person on any limb of a horse, or (D) any other substance or device has been used by a person on any limb of a horse or a person has engaged in a practice involving a horse, and, as a result of such application, infliction, injection, use, or practice, such horse suffers, or can reasonably be expected to suffer, physical pain or distress, inflammation, or lameness when walking. Clinical signs of

870-699: A number of events for horses and ponies driven in harness , including Fine harness classes for saddle seat-type horses, Roadster classes that use equipment similar to that of harness racing , and the FEI-sanctioned sport of combined driving . Miniature horses also have their own shows with a number of specialized classes. Most horse shows offer Halter classes, also called "breeding", "conformation", or "in-hand" classes. In these classes horses are led without saddles, not ridden, judging conformation and gaits . To train young equestrians in halter showing techniques, horse showmanship classes are offered. They are

957-814: A single fence between 2 feet and 3 feet 3 inches. Most shows also include show jumping and working hunter sections. The British Horse Society oversees many shows at national, regional and local level as does the Pony Club , the British Show Pony Society and the British Show Horse Association . Breed societies, particularly those related to the Welsh pony and Arabian horse , also organise their own shows. At local, unaffiliated level, riding clubs across Britain organise regular shows, which are often staffed by volunteers. The newly formed Showing Council

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1044-413: A small wedge-shape, are used with horseshoes in many circumstances and can protect the sole of the hoof or make simple alterations to action. But when stacked into an action device, they may be up to 4 inches (10 cm) thick in the heel and 2 inches (5 cm) thick in the toe. Stacks of pads that are built up on a horseshoe have a metal band that runs across the front of the hoof to help keep them on

1131-443: A solid competitor might break even on entry fees and, if they are quite lucky, cover some travel expenses. Most money made from showing horses is indirectly earned by breeding fees paid for top horses, the sale of their offspring, or from the training fees paid to top trainers. Trophies are usually awarded to the first place horse in a class, depending on the size of the show. In a championship event, trophies may be awarded to both

1218-413: A sored horse include: One method of soring involves using chemical agents such as mustard oil , kerosene , or other caustic substances on the pasterns, bulbs of the heel, or coronary bands of the horses, causing burning or blistering of the horses' legs to accentuate their gaits. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is sometimes added to increase the effect. The treated area is then often wrapped in plastic while

1305-538: Is an abusive and prohibited practice, illegal in the U.S. under the Horse Protection Act of 1970 (HPA). It is closely associated with a unique high-stepping action of the front legs called "big lick" movement in show ring Tennessee Walking Horses . Under normal circumstances, "big lick" action is normally created by horseshoes that have added pads and weight (sometimes called "stacks"), usually combined with additional weighted chains or rollers placed around

1392-412: Is an FEI-recognized equestrian sport. Games, such as Gymkhana or O-Mok-See competition are usually held separately from ordinary horse shows, though a few of these "speed" events may be thrown in as "fun classes", particularly at 4-H , Pony Club , and other small shows. Prize money is sometimes awarded, particularly at larger competitions. The sum varies by the placing of the rider, the prestige of

1479-643: Is an international movement that teaches young people riding skills suitable for English riding competitions. To help develop positive experience and good sportsmanship, Pony Clubs also sponsor horse shows open only to young people under the age of 18 and their horses. Various nations have similar programs for developing young equestrians, such as the 4-H program in the United States. Horse shows in Australia are governed by Equestrian Australia (EA), Show Horse Council of Australia and different breed societies. Much of

1566-420: Is judged on presentation, manners and rideability of the horse. "Saddle seat" or "saddle type" classes are all on the flat and are variations on English Pleasure, though the high action "Park" style classes differ because they emphasize brilliant trotting action. Equitation classes judge the form and ability of the rider. Show jumping, eventing and dressage are sometimes called "Olympic" events, because they are

1653-663: Is now known as the Walking Horse Capital of the World. The modern Celebration spans 11 days in late August and early September prior to Labor Day every year, and finishes with the crowning of the World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse on the Saturday night before Labor Day. The TWHNC draws an estimated 2,000 horses, 250,000 spectators and US$ 41   million in revenue to Shelbyville every year. The first horse to be named World Grand Champion

1740-724: Is overseen by British Eventing . The United States Equestrian Federation is the American national body for equestrian sport and is also the recognized entity overseeing the Olympic-level United States Equestrian Team . It also organizes and sponsors horse shows for many horse breeds who wish to use the drug testing, judge certification and standardized rulemaking process of USEF. In addition, USEF sanctions events in disciplines and lower-level competitive areas that are not internationally recognized, such as show hunter and equitation . Other US organizations such as

1827-446: Is used for small classes, or in case of rain. The TWHNC features a wide variety of classes in both in-hand and performance, including divisions for youth, amateurs, and professionals. Horses may be shod with keg shoes or performance stacks; flat-shod classes are particularly popular among amateur owners who train their own horses. Leadline classes, for children under six, are a crowd favorite. All horses entered must be registered with

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1914-555: Is working towards officially overseeing all horse shows (non-FEI disciplines). The Olympic equestrian disciplines are overseen by the British Equestrian Federation . There are several subdivisions. Dressage competitions are held separately from regular horse shows and are overseen by British Dressage , show jumping competitions are overseen by the British Showjumping Association (BSJA), and eventing

2001-495: The American flag , during the singing of the American national anthem. The same flag horse often serves for years and is not allowed to compete in the Celebration itself or any other horse show during their tenure. Over the course of the Celebration, over $ 650,000 in prizes is given out. The Celebration also includes attractions such as a dog show, barbecue cookout, and barn decorating contest. The World Grand Championship, also known as

2088-712: The National Cutting Horse Association , United States Eventing Association (USEA) and United States Dressage Federation (USDF) organize competitions for specific disciplines, such as cutting , and some breed organizations such as the American Quarter Horse Association sanction their own breed-specific shows. Horse shows in the United States take several forms: Some are restricted to a particular breed, others are "open" or "all-breed" horse shows, which offer classes to all breeds as well as breed-specific classes for many different breeds. In

2175-560: The Racking Horse and the Spotted Saddle Horse . Both criminal and civil penalties can be assessed against individuals who engage in soring. Soring practices include the application of chemicals such as mustard oil or diesel fuel, misuse of mechanical devices such as overweight chains, or engaging in practices such as trimming a hoof to expose the sensitive tissue. Tennessee Walking Horses are not allowed to be shown without passing

2262-785: The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA) voted to remove themselves from the National Horse Show Commission (NHSC), the sanctioning body closest to the soring issues. The TWHBEA formed its own sanctioning body and developed a new rule book and strict guidelines for affiliated horse shows and Horse Industry Organizations [HIO] that applied and were examined by the APHIS. The issue remains very controversial, particularly in Kentucky and Tennessee. Soring has been declared "cruel" and "inhumane" by

2349-401: The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association , although some may be registered with the Spotted Saddle Horse and Racking Horse associations as well. Double registration does not affect a horse's ability to enter the Celebration. The only exception to this rule are ponies competing in lead line classes. Over 20 World Championships are awarded in different classes throughout

2436-518: The US Department of Agriculture pursuant to the Horse Protection Act numerous times between 1979 and 2012. According to Roy Exum of The Chattanoogan , "McConnell has a known record that includes over 30 unbroken years of persistent violations of the federal Horse Protection Act, but because laws have been so lax, he has done little more than wink and continue on his way." In 1986, McConnell

2523-565: The United States Congress . Similarly, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has described it as "inhumane" and "unethical". The legal definition of soring in the Horse Protection Act of 1970 is: (A) an irritating or blistering agent has been applied, internally or externally, by a person to any limb of a horse, (B) any burn, cut, or laceration has been inflicted by a person on any limb of

2610-401: The pasterns to create dramatic, high-stepping action of the horse's front legs, desired in the horse show ring. Practitioners of soring do so because they believe that the pain associated with this practice exaggerates the "big lick" to a greater degree and gives them a competitive edge over horses that are not treated in this manner. Other breeds that have a history of soring abuses include

2697-401: The "Big Stake" or "Rider's Cup, Canter" is the final class of the Celebration. It is held late on the Saturday night before Labor Day, or more often, very early Sunday morning. To compete in the stake, horses must qualify by showing in a class on the first Saturday night of the show. Previous World Grand Champions are automatically eligible to compete again. The competing horses enter the arena to

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2784-550: The 2011 annual championship found that all of the 52 horses inspected had a foreign substance applied to their front hooves, either to cause pain or to hide it. In June 2012, the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Association jointly issued a call to ban both action devices (chains, rollers, etc.) and "performance packages", e.g., stacks or pads. At

2871-468: The 2013 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, USDA testing showed that 67% of the horses tested positive for substances that could be used to hide soring. In April 2024, the USDA announced a new federal rule, effective February 2025, strengthening the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's enforcement of the Horse Protection Act regarding soring. The changes eliminate industry self-regulation and

2958-458: The Celebration have consistently denied the allegations. Every horse entered in the Celebration must undergo an inspection designed to detect sored horses conducted by an APHIS -employed inspector before the horse is allowed to show. Inspectors may use hoof testers (plier-like tools which direct pressure on an area of the foot to find any source of pain), leg swabs and other tools such as thermography to detect signs of horses being sored. In 2006,

3045-453: The Olympic disciplines. Classes are divided into ridden and in-hand sections and there are many different classes for different horses and ponies. For example, there are classes for mountain and moorland pony breeds , show hunters , show hacks , equitation , and show pony classes . Many clubs hold riding club classes, where a horse or pony must perform a short "show" (solo performance) and jump

3132-674: The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville while sore. For that offense, he received a $ 2,000 civil fine and a two-year disqualification from March 19, 1995, through March 18, 1997. In May 1979, he entered the sored horse Threat's Black Power in the Ninth Annual Fun Show in Shelbyville, Tennessee. A USDA veterinarian classified this horse as the "sorest horse at the show", having an "exhausted, steaming, defeated appearance" and testified that

3219-473: The Tennessee Walking Horse breed from its original use as a plow and utility horse, to its present use as a show horse . The first Celebration attracted over 40,000 people. The Celebration later moved to Shelbyville, which is located about 60 miles southeast of Nashville , due to space issues, as small Wartrace was unable to cope with the volume of visitors and horses the show attracted. Shelbyville

3306-433: The Tennessee Walking Horse have organized to oppose soring. The HPA, created specifically to stop such practices and to monitor the Tennessee Walking Horse in particular, prohibits the use of soring agents. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), part of the USDA, is working with the industry to enforce the law. Tennessee Walking Horse organizations send designated qualified persons (DQPs) to shows to inspect

3393-671: The U.S., disallows any use of devices or chemical compounds. However, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association , which sanctions many shows, is not affiliated with the USEF and exempts some devices. New legislation to update the HPA may lead to restrictions on these devices. Stacks are also called "performance packages" or "pads". Stacks are composed of multiple hoof-shaped pads, usually made of plastic, although they can also be made of leather, rubber, polyurethane or even wood. Normally, single relatively thin pads, either flat or with

3480-455: The USDA began a larger crackdown on soring within the industry. A new device known as a "sniffer" (also used to detect the chemical presence of bombs in airport security), whereby swabbed samples are taken from the horse and then "sniffed", can now be employed. At the 2006 Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration, the long-standing dispute between trainers and USDA inspectors came to a head. The inspectors disqualified six of ten horses from showing on

3567-537: The World Championship in that division, but she bypassed the class in favor of the World Grand Championship. The oldest rider to win was 81-year-old Bud Dunn on RPM in 1999. Dunn had previously been the oldest winning rider with Dark Spirit's Rebel in 1992, at the age of 74. Although there have been six horses who won the stake two years consecutively, there have been only two three-time winners in

Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration - Misplaced Pages Continue

3654-696: The World Grand Champion. The winner is awarded $ 15,000 in prize money. Horse show There are several international disciplines run under rules established by the Fédération équestre internationale (FEI): The rules of the FEI govern competitions open to riders from all nations, including the Olympic games and the World Equestrian Games . At the other end of the competition spectrum, Pony Club

3741-418: The animals with a wooden beam and an electric cattle prod to make them stand still during leg palpation. Soon after the undercover footage was released, state authorities raided McConnell's barn. After ABC News aired the footage, McConnell was banned for life from the Tennessee Walking Horse organization's biggest event and stricken from its hall of fame. In September 2012, McConnell was found in violation of

3828-473: The champion and the reserve champion, and at a national or international show trophies are sometimes given to the top five to ten competitors. Other types of objects, such as dishes, trays, or plates, are sometimes given out as alternates to trophies. Medals are given at international events such as the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics . Usually only three medals—gold, silver, and bronze—are awarded to

3915-429: The chemicals are absorbed. The chemical agents cause extreme pain, and usually lead to scarring . A distinctive scarring pattern is a characteristic indication of soring, so practitioners may attempt to disguise the scarring with a dye, or the horse's legs may be treated with salicylic acid to reduce scarring. These chemicals are harmful, usually quite toxic, and sometimes carcinogenic , such that practitioners must use

4002-446: The concerns escalated between trainers and inspectors from APHIS. Initially, trainers refused to submit their horses for inspection, creating a stand-off that required law enforcement intervention. Then, prior to the World Grand Championship finals, inspectors disqualified all but three of the finalists. A group of approximately 150 people gathered, demanding that the disqualified horses be allowed to show. However, citing safety concerns,

4089-537: The course of the Celebration, including the Lead Line Ponies World Championship, Park Performance, Four-Year-Old, Three-Year-Old, Two-Year-Old, Weanling, Trail Pleasure, Show Pleasure, and Lite Shod. The most anticipated class, however, is the World Grand Championship, the largest honor in the Tennessee Walking Horse breed. Competition at the Celebration is traditionally opened each night by a white or gray Tennessee Walking Horse and rider carrying

4176-575: The development of the show horse discipline (also referred to as saddle horse) was developed over the last 40 years by Fran Cleland through her involvement with the Equestrian Australia's Victorian branch (now known as EV). Fran Cleland is the wife of Reg Cleland who was the longest serving Chairman of the Victorian branch of the EFA which was in turn responsible for running The Barastoc Horse of The Year Show

4263-473: The equestrian sports included in the Olympic Games . Western or stock horse competition includes working cattle events, such as cutting , team penning and working cow horse in the United States, and campdrafting in Australia. They also include "dry" classes (without cattle) that include western pleasure , reining and equitation . There are also specialized classes for draft horse showing , and

4350-465: The federal Horse Protection Act; he was sentenced to three years probation and fined $ 75,000. McConnell faced 52 counts of transporting and showing abused horses. He pleaded guilty to a single charge of animal cruelty in an agreement with prosecutors. US District Judge Harry Sandlin Mattice Jr. accepted McConnell's plea. McConnell faced up to five years in prison if the agreement had not been accepted. He

4437-416: The front pasterns of the horse, but to be legal, must weigh no more than 6 ounces (170 g). They are intended to be used with a lubricant to allow them to slide easily along the pastern. Users of chains do not believe they cause the horse pain, stating that it creates a similar feeling to a loose bracelet. However, they may be harmful above a certain weight. In 1982, a study at Auburn University examined

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4524-409: The gray mare Garnier's White Star , owned by W.V. Garnier and ridden by Percy Moss, was crowned as the World Grand Champion. Incidentally, 23-year-old Moss was also the youngest rider to win the stake at the time. The first female rider to win the World Grand Championship was Betty Sain on Shaker's Shocker in 1966. Sain had previously competed in the four-year-old age division and was expected to win

4611-422: The halter equivalent of equitation because the handler, not the horse, is judged. Classes may be broken down by the age of horse or rider, by the number of first place ribbons earned by horse or rider, and by size or breed of horse or pony. In addition, there are numerous other regional or specialty classes that may be offered. Various types of costume classes are frequently offered; sidesaddle classes are common;

4698-577: The health effects of action devices on gaited horses through the use of thermography. The researchers conclude that chains "altered thermal patterns as early as day 2 of exercise with chains. These altered thermal patterns persisted as long as chains were used," with thermal patterns not returning to normal until 20 days after last use. A stallion in the study developed lesions from 8-ounce (230 g) chains, after wearing them in nine 15-minute exercise periods over 11 days. Whereas 2-, 4-, and 6-ounce chains (55, 115, and 170 g) produced no adverse effects in

4785-548: The history of the Celebration: The Talk of the Town in 1951, 1952 and 1953, and I Am Jose in 2013, 2014, and 2015. I Am Jose was also notable for being the first four-year-old winner since 1966. The Celebration has often been criticized with allegations of soring of horses at the event, an abusive practice designed to make horses step higher and illegal under federal law by the Horse Protection Act of 1970 . The sponsors of

4872-447: The horse for lameness , assessing its stance, and palpating the lower legs. Some trainers can bypass inspectors by training horses not to react to the pain that palpation may cause, often by severely punishing the horse for flinching after the sored area is palpated. The practice is sometimes called "stewarding" in reference to the horse show steward , who is often the first line of rule enforcement at any horse show. Trainers may also time

4959-436: The horse's foot. This design is an extension of a base shoe, and can be taken off or changed without having to completely re-shoe the horse. While the design is intended to exaggerate the horse's action, the shape of the stacks and added weight to the horse's foot cause the foot to strike with more force and at an abnormal angle. Soring occurs when items are concealed between the pad and hoof such that painful pressure occurs to

5046-405: The horse's front legs were covered with raised scars that when touched were found to be "very sore" causing "extreme pain". McConnell received a $ 750 civil penalty and a six-month disqualification from September 9, 1985, through March 8, 1986. McConnell was also disqualified for a violation of a unilateral sore (September 12, 2006, to September 25, 2006). McConnell was disqualified for a violation of

5133-482: The horses being studied. More important than the weight of the chains is the application of caustic materials on the skin of the horse under the chains—such as oil of mustard, croton oil, kerosene, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)—followed by wrapping the legs to "cook" the chemicals into the skin to render them tender. The chains then irritate the horse's legs. Measures are taken to obscure scars, lesions, and raw skin before show time. Considered legal "action devices" in

5220-500: The horses, and, as funding permits, APHIS sends federally employed veterinary medical officers to work with DQPs at some shows. Trainers who oppose soring have formed and joined alternative breed organizations, including the National Walking Horse Association (NWHA) and Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH). All of these organizations promote the sound Tennessee Walking Horse. In addition, in 2005, the national directors of

5307-434: The industry, chains themselves are not harmful, but they rub against the already irritated skin and increase the horse’s pain. In response, his gait becomes flashy: He picks up his sored feet more quickly and lifts them higher than normal, and he shifts some of his weight to his hind end to escape the pain up front. Soring has been prohibited at sales and shows for decades but is still practiced. It can be detected by observing

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5394-457: The last few decades, American open horse shows have tended to become specialized by discipline into hunter - jumper or "sport horse" shows, dressage shows, and shows featuring English or Western riding events. However, there are still some multi-day, all-breed events that feature multiple breeds and disciplines. There are a range of competitive equestrian events available and specific offerings range widely by nation and even by region within

5481-474: The late 1940s and early 1950s, when Tennessee Walking Horses enjoyed a surge of widespread popularity with the general public, as the exaggerated front leg action, especially at the running walk, drew spectators to horse shows and helped increase the popularity of the breed. This action was also rewarded by judges. This began the rage for "big lick" movement. While "lite shod" horses with naturally good movement could comfortably perform this crowd-pleasing gait at

5568-450: The night of Friday, August 25, 2006. The trainers denied soring and challenged the monitoring methods. The result was that a number of celebration championship classes were canceled; considerable controversy over the situation still exists. After a yearlong discussion between the industry and the USDA over the issues raised at the 2006 show, the 2007 championship went off without significant controversy. An investigation by ABC News into

5655-443: The pad, causing intense pressure, although this practice has begun to decrease with the use of fluoroscopy to detect such methods. Abusive use of chains (such as using them with chemical soring agents) is also a common practice. "Action devices" include "stacks", which are multiple pads between hoof and ground; and "chains", bracelet-like chains or rollers placed around the pastern . Illegal use occurs if irritants have been placed on

5742-425: The pain. Correspondingly, the horse steps under itself as far as possible with its hind legs to relieve the forelegs of weight. This results in the "squatting" body outline (hindquarters extremely lowered, forelegs flung very high) typical of the "big lick" horse. Such abuses are illegal under the Horse Protection Act of 1970 but are still practiced. Measures have been taken to stop the practice, and many supporters of

5829-726: The premier horse Show in Australia for over 40 years and under the direction of Fran Cleland introduced Newcomer, Show-hunter, leading rein, first ridden, owner rider and working Hunter classes into the Australian Show Horse scene. The governing body for Equestrian activities in Canada is Equine Canada (EC). In the United Kingdom there is a distinct difference between "horse competitions" such as dressage or eventing and horse shows. Horse shows provide an opportunity for riders and owners to exhibit their animals without taking part in any of

5916-466: The problem. Under normal conditions, if a stack is lost, it usually only affects the pads and not the base shoe, which remains intact. Injuries are usually very limited from "throwing" (accidental separation of) a set of pads. It is dangerous if a horse wearing stacks pulls off a shoe, as not only will the stack come off, but the band may tear off part of the hoof wall. Horses wearing stacks should not be turned out. Bracelet-like chains are attached around

6003-401: The same area of the horse's foot or leg. The movement of a chain over a chemically traumatized area of the leg increases the painful response, resulting in the exaggerated gait. Soring is always illegal under federal law, but use of chains varies depending on the show-sanctioning organization. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the national governing body for equestrian sport in

6090-688: The scar rule (September 6, 2005, to September 19, 2005). He was disqualified for a NHSC 5 Pt. Exam Score (August 8, 2004, to August 21, 2004). He was disqualified for a bilateral sore from August 31, 2003, to April 30, 2004. He was disqualified for a unilateral sore from October 6, 2002, to October 19, 2002. McConnell was disqualified for violation of terms of a five-year USDA disqualification and suspended from November 19, 2009, to May 18, 2010. In April and May 2011, an undercover investigator shot footage at McConnell's stable. The footage revealed two workers, Jeff Dockery and John Mays, applying caustic substances that cause soring to horses' legs and hooves and beating

6177-462: The show management cancelled the class altogether and no World Grand Champion was crowned that year. The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is held in Shelbyville at the 105-acre Celebration Grounds, which encompasses Calsonic Arena . The facility contains 60 barns and two arenas, with warm-up areas. The outdoor arena has seating for 30,000, including box seats, and is the one used for most classes. The indoor arena has seating for 4,500 and

6264-404: The show ring, and as ever-higher and more dramatic action was rewarded by the judges, some trainers turned to less savory methods to produce high action in a hurry. These methods include excessively heavy weighted chains, use of tacks deliberately placed under the shoe into the "white line", or quick , of the hoof , trimming the sole of the hoof to the point that it bleeds or is bruised, increasing

6351-466: The show, and the difficulty of the class. Horse shows do not offer cash purses as large as in the Thoroughbred racing industry, though a few of the biggest show jumping, cutting and reining competitions may offer purse money into the low five figures. However, most show horses in the United States, especially those at the amateur levels, rarely win significant cash prizes during their show career. At best,

6438-400: The sole of the hoof making the horse lift its feet faster and higher. Permissible thickness and weight vary between categories of competition. The use of stacks is controversial. Some criticize the band that holds the stack on, which they believe cuts into the hoof and may wear a slot into it. However, trainers commonly loosen the band when the horse is not being exercised, which may minimize

6525-433: The song "Flat Walk Boogie" which was composed and is played by official TWHNC organist Larry Bright. Horses are required to perform the flat walk, running walk and canter twice each in two separate workouts. Between workouts, riders dismount and unsaddle their horses so the judges can evaluate their conformation . The winner is announced while a spotlight sweeps back and forth along the line-up of horses and then settles on

6612-487: The time, it took both natural ability and considerable time to properly train and condition the horse. Some individuals, wishing to produce similar movement in less talented horses or in less time, borrowed practices used by other breeds to enhance movement. This included action devices such as weighted shoes, "stacks" (stacked pads), and the use of weighted chains around the pasterns, all of which were allowed within certain limits. As these methods produced horses that won in

6699-408: The top three individuals or teams. Rosettes or ribbons are often given for the top placings in a class. Often ribbons are given through the top six place entries, although some of the larger shows may award ribbons to the top ten. Ribbon color varies from country to country, as shown in the following chart. Champion & Reserve Champion ribbons are commonly called Tri-colors . They are usually

6786-519: The training methods of Tennessee Walking Horses revealed that many horses had been beaten to produce their signature high-stepping gait. In a video shot by the Humane Society of the United States , high-profile trainer Jackie McConnell is seen beating horses, using electric cattle prods, and soring their hooves with caustic chemicals. Additionally, a random inspection by the Department of Agriculture at

6873-475: The use of chemical soring, action devices, stacks, and shoeing abuses. Jackie McConnell, a Tennessee Walking Horse trainer, owns Whittier Stables in Collierville, Tennessee . Once a prominent figure in the industry and hall of fame trainer, in 2012 McConnell pleaded guilty to 12 counts of animal cruelty and of violating the federal Horse Protection Act. Formal sanctions were imposed on Jackie McConnell by

6960-512: The use of the agents so that chemicals will not be detected when the horse is examined, but will be in effect when the rider goes into the ring. Others use topical anesthetics, which are timed to wear off before the horse goes into the show ring. Pressure shoeing is also used, eliminating use of chemicals altogether. Trainers who sore their horses leave the show grounds when they find that the more stringent federal inspectors are present. In 2006, owing to new techniques in both soring and detection,

7047-450: The weight of the stacked pads by driving in a large number of concealed nails and the controversial practice of "soring", which is the application of a caustic chemical agent to the pastern of the front legs to cause pain when the chains bang against the pastern with every step. The outcome of these practices is so much pain in the horse's front hooves that the horse snatches its feet off the ground as fast as possible in an attempt to alleviate

7134-404: Was Strolling Jim in 1939. Strolling Jim was a former plow horse retrained for show by Floyd Carothers and Henry Davis, and was only three years old at the time of his win. Although Strolling Jim was a gelding,many World Grand Champions were stallions who became notable sires. Midnight Sun , winner in 1945 and 1946, sired over 2,600 foals, of which five became World Grand Champions. Midnight Sun

7221-474: Was founded in 1939. A Wartrace resident, Henry Davis, went to Winchester, Tennessee to buy hay and while there observed the Crimson Clover Festival being held. He felt that Wartrace should have a similar festival, and proposed the idea to a group of fellow horsemen, who accepted it. The first Celebration was held in 1939. It began with a parade and elaborate pageant that depicted the evolution of

7308-592: Was named Trainer of the Year by the Walking Horse Trainers Association. However, he had a long history of violations: In September 1998, McConnell entered a sored horse, Regal By Generator, in the 1998 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration and received a civil fine of $ 2,200 and a five-year disqualification from October 31, 2006, through October 30, 2011. In September 1989, McConnell was charged for exhibiting Executive Order (owned by Floyd Sherman) in

7395-540: Was required by the court to write a letter about the soring of horses, the pain it causes, the long-term effects, and its widespread use. McConnell also pleaded guilty in state court to 12 of 22 counts of animal cruelty in 2012. He was sentenced to one year of house arrest and a $ 25,000 fine. The Circuit Judge Weber McGraw sentenced Jackie McConnell and two co-defendants in July 2013. Jeff Dockery pleaded guilty to three counts of animal cruelty and John K. Mays to fourteen. Dockery

7482-423: Was ridden and trained by Fred Walker, and owned by Harlinsdale Farm . The World Grand Champion in 1947 and 1948, Merry Go Boy , was known for producing the most desirable Tennessee Walker conformation type in his offspring, as well as his "duel" with Midnight Sun when he tried to defeat the older horse in 1946. The stake is traditionally a stallions ' class, and has not been won by a mare or gelding since 1954, when

7569-418: Was sentenced to three years of probation and Mays to four years of probation. Under the state plea agreement, McConnell is not allowed to either own or train horses for 20 years. The judge gave McConnell 120 days to sell his two remaining horses. According to The Commercial Appeal , "This is the second time all three men have pleaded guilty rather than face trial." In 2013 Lee and Mike McGartland entered

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