Unfortunately, even after all of our hard work to get sound supporters on the board, the Lickers still prevailed. There just weren't enough sound people voted onto the board--it was a simple fact of numbers. Plus, I know a lot of folks who are on the sound side couldn't make it because of the weather, and since TWHBEA is still living in the 1960s, they won't allow conference calls to make these decisions per their by-laws.
So, the Lickers, as predicted, ignored Pat Stout's poll and the clear requests to vote sound by the members.
Side note: Last year, any of the directors put together a request to start allowing conference calls and electronic voting. It was shown how much money it would save TWHBEA than sending out paper ballots (to the tune of thousands of dollars). They denied the request. I speculate that it's most likely because they know that the Lickers will lose control of TWHBEA if they actually allow anyone outside of TN to vote or participate electronically.
From the Walking Horse Chat (and yes, WHC is pro-Big Lick)...
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TWHBEA Opposes PAST Act
Sunday, December 08, 2013
The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' & Exhibitors' Association's International Board of Directors overwhelmingly supported a motion to oppose the legislation introduced by Congressman Ed Whitfield at its annual board meeting on December 7, 2013. The motion read as follows:
The International Board of Directors of the TWHBEA strongly opposes the legislation introduced by Representative Whitfield in the U.S. House of Representatives; the legislation introduced by Senator Kelly Ayotte in the U.S. Senate; and any other legislation which would make it illegal to ride or show a sound Tennessee Walking Horse.
Both of these proposed laws would make it a federal crime to show sound, healthy Tennessee Walking Horses which have never been sored, unless those horses are shown barefooted or in an "unweighted" shoe.
The great majority of Tennessee Walking Horses are shown in weighted shoes and some in pads and action devices, meeting the strict guidelines of the various divisions and the detailed regulations of the USDA. This equipment does not harm the horse.
These proposed laws would also abolish the HIO inspection system now approved and supervised by the USDA. If this system is abolished, the great majority of show horses will not be inspected or protected.
The International Board of Directors of the TWHBEA strongly supports working with the USDA and other appropriate industry stakeholders to identify and use objective, scientifically reliable testing methods to identify and eliminate sore horses.
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Never mind the fact that TWHBEA was sent a letter by Congressmen Whitfield and Cohen explaining exactly what the "weighted shoes" portion of the PAST Act will mean, and the OIG report of 2010 that proved that the HIOs are not doing their jobs.
In their ongoing effort to keep the sore horse in the ring, they have also re-retracted their attack on Pat Stout. Of course, this makes no sense...but here are the facts from Billy Go Boy's website. Click here for their article.
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AS PREDICTED, BIG LICK SORE CROWD TAKES OVER AT TWHBEA – SOUND HORSE FOLKS SWEPT OUT THE DOOR – PAT STOUT HR 1518/S 1406 POLL VENDETTA WITCH HUNT CONTINUES
Posted on December 7, 2013
LEWISBURG, TN – The TWHBEA Directors elected a new Executive Committee, and a Director from Texas Everett “Butch” Allen who campaigned on a radical Big Lick platform made a Motion to send the Pat Stout matter back to the Enforcement Committee. The Motion passed. It is not clear what the Enforcement Committee is supposed to do. The new Chairman of the Enforcement Committee is Tom Kakassy who was one of the biased conflicted persons who quarterbacked the September 27, 2013 lynch mob which tried to excommunicate Pat Stout at that time for Polling the TWHBEA membership on the HR 1518/S 1406 legislation. Kakassy prepared a Complaint and distributed it at the meeting, but did not pay the $250.00 and file it.
The former Executive Committee on whose watch all of it happened, after reviewing an Enforcement Committee report by Denise Bader Keyser, voted unanimously on Friday, December 6, 2013 to dismiss all matters involving Pat Stout.
Pat Stout, VP Horse Shows, sent ballots to 6,945 TWHBEA members seeking a YES or NO vote on HR 1518, PAST Act. The TWHBEA members voted a landslide 63% in favor of passage of HR 1518/S1406, PAST Act, which will remove the pads and chains from show horses, eliminate the corrupt HIO self regulation system and make Horse Soring a federal felony. An outstanding 26% of the members participated in the Poll.
The new Executive Committee is expected to now oppose HR 1518/S 1406 against the expressed will of its members. It will be interesting to see if they want to try and make a martyr out of Pat Stout for just asking the members how they felt on an ultimately important issue.
The newly elected Executive Committee is:
Pres. Stephen Smith – (HPA VIOLATION)
Senior VP Walter Chism;
Admin/fiscal Christy Lantis;
Breeders David Williams; (EMPLOYED BY HPA VIOLATOR)
Exhibitors Denise Keyser; (HUSBAND – HPA VIOLATION)
Performance Ford Gates;
Pleasure Jessica Hlebak;
Marketing Ashley Wadsworth;
Training/welfare Dr Lynda Montgomery; (HPA VIOLATION)
Bylaws/ enforcement Tom Kakassy; – (“PROUD” HPA VIOLATOR)
Youth Sherrie White;
Secretary Loren Sanderson
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So, I don't know about any of you, but I'm going to be asking for my money back. TWHBEA clearly does not care about their members' opinions, needs and wants...so why should I care about them?
Now, as an alternative, I want to talk about a new association: The World Walking Horse Association.
This has actually been a goal of mine for quite some time, but someone else beat me to it! Honestly, I'm so thrilled to actually be a part of this, though. I heard about it, contacted the WWHA, and they were kind enough to offer me a position as Vice President of Operations. I am also in charge of the breed registration portion of the association.
To explain, the World Walking Horse Association is going to be an alternative for those who don't want to register their horses, show, or affiliate their activities with any of the HIOs or associations that are supporting the sore horse. WWHA has two major missions: to be both FOR THE HORSE and FOR THE MEMBERS.
WWHA has announced we are FOR the PAST Act, and the goal is to provide a safe and sound location for all Walking Horse (WH) activities, including showing, trail riding, competitive riding, versatility, youth programs, registration, etc. The goal within the next year will be to ask all the sound HIOs, local clubs, 4-H groups, trail riding associations, competitive trail associations, and all kinds of places where WHs are being shown and ridden so people can gain points to win high-point awards with WWHA. We will recognize horses for their achievements in ALL areas of riding, not just the show ring. We also will put together a dressage program and maybe one day (dream of all dreams) work with the USEF to get the WH into their good graces. We want to include everyone, no matter their age or affiliations. Eventually, we will have WWHA shows and events where the focus is NOT what's on the horses' feet, but rather the horse's way of going.
We are still working out lots of details. You can read all about what we're doing on the website. January 1st will be when we roll out the registration (including a hardship registry for horses that are at least 1/2 WH). We're also going to have a contest where members can present new ideas for logos and members can vote on the official logo for WWHA. We're going to keep you UTD on all our happenings on our Facebook page: click here.
We really, really want to provide a place that is truly focusing on the horse and the members, where members have a voice, and that voice is to protect the horse. So I hope you will consider joining us! Stay tuned to the WWHA website and FB page for more!
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