The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

2013 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration

16K views 102 replies 23 participants last post by  SouthernTrails 
#1 ·
Anyone here at or going to the 2013 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration?

I need you to sent me several of those delicious fresh piping hot donuts.

I must admit I am curious how things are going. Whether you show pleasure, versatility, or padded, so long as you are showing a 100% sound horse, you have my best wishes.

I have many fond memories of the big show in Shelbyville. I started with walkers in the 1960's so I have seen a lot, both the good and the bad. I have shown both the padded and the pleasure type horse. And, yes, I have done evil to my horses in the quest for that elusive blue ribbon. Today my horses go sound and mostly barefoot, and my conscience rests easy.

I find myself walking the showground in my memory, talking to people from all over the world about horses, watching the classes, sitting on my hands at the sales, visiting with friends new and old, touring the countryside and walking the civil war battlefields, enjoying southern hospitality at the local restaurants, and just remembering my taste of the relaxed southern lifestyle.

So how is the show? What is the atmosphere like? How are the class sizes? Is there much of a crowd? Have you been to any sales or been barn storming? Help us experience 2013 in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
 
See less See more
#2 · (Edited)
They have a lot of new rules and regulations this year all for the better. :thumbsup:

No coolers- you have to purchace your food and drink there and theyll be selling cold beer this year! :mrgreen: they usually have real good eats!

I love the calsonic arena!
its always a good environment lots of different venders for different things-- friendly people and helpful staff-- I usually go for reining events and cuttings.. They will be doing ten different tests this year to cut out the bad eggs so it sould be a great show!

Amature events earlier today.

Shelbyville is a nice little town and will have lots of shopping and things like that too.

Im sure the hotels will be pretty booked up tonight too if you havent booked in advance you might need to travel a little ways.. hope you enjoy your time in shelbyville and good luck in the showring!
 
  • Like
Reactions: KigerQueen
#7 ·
Some interesting observations; look at the pictures.

Billy Go Boy Chat – Tennessee Walking Horse – "The Lickers and The Flatters" | Speaking Truth To Power Since 1996 ….

The Celebration appears to be having a rather difficult time. I don't rejoice in their difficulties (some worthy charities are likely to be "skunked" this year). Still, it seems that the Celebration/SHOW leadership has called down the thunder upon themselves. All decisions have consequences. Their decisions have been narrow and self serving; they have sown the wind; now they reap the whirlwind.

G.
 
#15 ·
I'm afraid I'm with Joe though I wouldn't word it so harshly. I do feel for Ma and Pa selling fried dough and not making their seasons money. However I think a line needs to drawn in the sand and I think now is the time. I'm pretty much looking at as seeing a dog or kid locked in a hot car and not busting the window out and walking away.

I've got to wonder about the mentality of these BL people. They know the USDA is there and checking hard and still they are coming up with soring violations. Do they honestly believe they are above the law?
 
#16 ·
YOU CANT HAVE BIG LICK WITHOUT ABUSE !
The shows are guilty as well for even keeping the category.
But they know the law will go unenforced. Or its slap on hand level penalties.
As long as people show up and give them money it will continue. THATS why the word needs to get out.
DOnt care if little orphan anny is selling lemonade, she is profiting off a horrible act. Find somewhere else to run a business.
 
#19 ·
umm actually it is keeping bums out of the seats. The stands are empty. Do away with all but flat shod, enforce soring rules and laws, the spirit of them, not just the letter.
For instance that Honor horse, trainer and owner should all get lifetime bans. The TWHBEA should get on board as well, revoke his registration. Ban the owner and trainer from any future registrations.
Or they can keep giving it the lip service they do now and go bankrupt.
 
#20 ·
Historically, Joe, you are in error. The BL developed to put more "excitment" into the TWH show world and it worked. The fact that the stands are empty, and indeed emptied when the BL favorite was a "no show", validates my premise.

At our local show venue, the Henry Ag. Center at Roane State CC, it is a "ghost town" until the BL classes start. Then there is a crowd; a small one, mind you, but a lot more than for Versitility or any of the flat shod classes.

I am not at all happy with this situation, but the reality is that the BL is the stand-filler.

G.
 
#21 ·
As with most horse sports that do not count points, the non BL takes a bit of study to understand and pick the winner. The average joe (obviously, this excludes present company), loses interest and goes to get beer. I was bored by it, but I can watch dressage all day, because I have studied it. Bores others to tears.

BL does fill the stands, and spectators have a much better chance of successfully picking the winner. They leave the show feeling good. Sad it at the expense of the animals.

Nancy
 
#24 ·
Honors Highlight video - YouTube


Honors ... he's 3 FGS.

The boy in my avatar is 3, still a baby, just learning how to carry himself with a rider.

That poor horse has lived a lifetime in his short 3 years. And he doesn't even know any different ..

ugh
That video makes me sick. Makes me want to go out back and give my horses a kiss and exclaim, "You are my good girls!" as I've already done 10 times today. Poor animals in those horrific places. I've said this before, and I'm generally a mild-mannered person, but there is a special place in hell reserved for those people.
 
#25 ·
You are absolutely correct that "stylized barbarism" is very popular. With people who know it's just "barabarism." With the "civilians" is entertainment.

The thing is the "civilians" pay money for tickets and the don't pay to see stuff that's not "exciting."

So if the BL goes away then watch for more "excitement" in the flat shod world. I hope that, as a group, we don't regret what we have wished for. :cry:

G.
 
#28 ·
After watching the abuse these horses take, I came to the realization that because these horses were bred to be family horses, they don't fight the abuse. My twh is a wonderful polite respectful horse and it would be so easy to sore him if that was my choosing and I know he'd put up with it. I had a horse that would have turned on me had I tried to inflict pain on him.
 
#29 ·
I couldn't watch Honors more than a few seconds. It was hideous. And this is coming from somebody who loves a pretty horse no matter what the breed.

If they want entertainment then they should run a carnival, state fair type midway and leave the horse showing to sound horses and horsemen with a heart.

They want to entertain the masses hold a regular speed racking race.

Lame horses flailing at the sky isn't entertainment.
 
#31 ·
Ya know, growing up I had a best friend and neighbor whose family owned and showed the Big Licks. I went to a few shows with them and it was exciting (at the time) to see these horses show. I thought there wasn't anything wrong with it. I remember seeing the chains, big pads, and horses with saran wrap wrapped around their legs. I grew up, did some research, and heard horror stories of what they do to these poor horses. Watching that video of Honors made me sick to my stomach. It looks so unnatural and to think, I actually use to like watching a horse stepping high like that. Ugh. Thankfully, my old friend/neighbors stopped showing "because of the politics surrounding it" and now all they do is trail ride.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top