NEWS and ARTICLES - More Members of the BOD of WHOA Resign

I have not heard any information regarding any decertifications as of yet. I will post as soon as I hear any news.

In the meantime, more of WHOA's members of the board are resigning. Rats deserting a sinking ship? Or rats revealing themselves for what they truly are? I am disappointed in the lot of them--it's clear to me what they think of the new decision. I guess following the law is not in these folks' vision of what WHOA is.

Below is the information from The Walking Horse Report. In brackets is the information on violations by these past BOD members.

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Herschel Blessing Resigns From WHOA

Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Walking Horse Report has confirmed that Director Herschel Blessing from Bristol, Tenn., has resigned from his directorship at the Walking Horse Owners' Association today. This brings the total number of resignations from the WHOA board to five following the annual board of directors meeting on Feb. 12, 2011.

WHOA directors who have previously resigned include Bruce Vaughn, Valley City, Ohio [violation 2002, 1 1/2 year suspension 1992-1993]; Kathy Zeis, Douglasville, Ga. [violation 2005]; Virginia Stewart, Bell Buckle, Tenn. [violation 2001]; and George-Ann Pratt, Shelbyville, Tenn. The Report is contacting other board members regarding their status as members of the board of directors.

During the annual meeting of the WHOA board, an executive session was called and the board voted to continue its HIO and to accept the mandatory penalties proposed by the United States Department of Agriculture.

WHOA has since issued a news release explaining the reasoning behind the board's decision.

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Two More Resignations from WHOA Board

Thursday, February 24, 2011

The Walking Horse Report has confirmed that two more directors of the Walking Horse Owners Association have resigned this afternoon following on the heels of Herschel Blessing’s resignation this morning.

Deborah Williams, Argyle, Tx. [a Debbie Williams received a violation in 1995] and Newton Parks, Christiana, Tenn. bring to seven the number of resignations from the WHOA Board since their controversial annual board meeting on Feb. 12, 2011.

The Feb. 12 board meeting was held in executive session, an unusual development. WHOA meetings have traditionally been open to other association members and the press. During this executive session, the board voted to continue its HIO and adopt the mandatory penalties proposed by the United State Department of Agriculture for the 2011 season.

WHOA has since issued a news release explaining the reasoning behind the board’s decision but this has done little to quell the controversy surrounding WHOA and its recent actions.

Other directors who have previously resigned include Herschel Blessing, Bristol, Tenn.; Bruce Vaughn, Valley City, Ohio [violation 2002, 1 1/2 year suspension 1992-1993]; Kathy Zeis, Douglasville, Ga. [violation 2005]; Virginia Stewart, Bell Buckle, Tenn. [violation 2001]; and George-Ann Pratt, Shelbyville, Tenn.