Exhibitor and Horse Cards to be Introduced for 2024 Show Season
Two Horse Industry Organizations (HIO) for Tennessee Walking Horses and Racking Horses will require cards for exhibitors and horses in order for them to compete at their affiliated shows in 2024. The sale of the cards will be administered by the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) and the cards will be required at shows affiliated with American Horse Services and S.H.O.W.-HIO.
The implementation of the Exhibitor Card and Horse Card will raise funds for the industry’s impending challenges to the USDA rulemaking as well as to challenge the due process issues that have plagued the industry for years. The industry will be forced to defend the show horse from the proposed rulemaking which would affect both the performance and pleasure flat shod Tennessee Walking Horse.
In addition, and given that the USDA agrees that it has significant problems with due process under the HPA, it is paramount that the Industry challenge the USDA’s lack of due process in the current enforcement of the HPA at horse shows that result in disqualifications without the guaranteed notice and hearing thus violating the Horse Protection Act (HPA), Due Process under the Constitution and under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).
The ability for the industry to fund these legal challenges relies heavily on income derived from the sale of Exhibitor and Horse Cards.
PARTICIPATING HIOS
Tennessee Walking Horses and Racking Horses who participate in shows affiliated with the following HIOs will be required to purchase an annual Horse Card in order to compete. Exhibitors of those horses will be required to purchase an annual Exhibitor Card in order to compete.
- American Horse Services
- S.H.O.W.-HIO
HORSE CARDS
For the 2024 show season all Tennessee Walking Horses and Racking Horses who participate in shows affiliated with participating HIOs will be required to purchase a Horse Card. All of the money received for Horse Cards will be used to pay legal fees as described above.
- The cost is $100 per horse for each Horse Card.
- All Horse Cards for the 2024 show season will expire on December 31, 2024.
- Horse Cards follow the horse. If a horse is transferred during the year, the new owner will not be required to purchase a new Horse Card if one was previously purchased for the year.
- Horse Cards are required for Tennessee Walking Horses and Racking Horses. They are not required in halter classes, versatility classes, or open breed classes (i.e. local pleasure).
EXHIBITOR CARDS
For shows affiliated with participating HIOs, all exhibitors of Tennessee Walking Horses and Racking Horses will be required to have an Exhibitor Card in order to show. All money received will be used to pay legal fees as described above.
- The cost is $100 for each Exhibitor Card.
- All Exhibitor Cards for the 2024 show season will expire on December 31, 2024.
- Exhibitor Cards will be required for everyone showing Tennessee Walking Horses and Racking Horses. They are not required in versatility or open breed classes.
- Youth exhibitors can show one time during the year without the requirement of an Exhibitor Card.
PURCHASING YOUR CARDS
In support of the industry, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) has agreed to donate staff time and resources necessary to administer the cards. Exhibitor Cards and Horse Cards can be purchased the following ways:
- Online at twhbea.com/ShowCard
- By Phone (with credit card) by calling 931-359-1574
- By Mail by sending a check (payable to TWHBEA) with form to PO Box 286, Lewisburg, TN 37091
A 3% convenience fee will be applied to all credit card transactions.
ENFORCEMENT
Following each show the status of each horse and exhibitor will be verified as the show results are entered. The first time a horse and/or exhibitor shows without the required card they will receive a courtesy notice reminding them to purchase the card(s). If any horse or exhibitor shows a second time without the required card(s), their name will be sent to all participating HIOs and they won’t be allowed to participate in shows affiliated with any of the participating HIOs until the card is purchased.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What cards am I required to purchase? Exhibitors of a Tennessee Walking Horse or Racking horse that shows at a show affiliated with American Horse Services or S.H.O.W.-HIO must purchase an Exhibitor Card. In addition, each Tennessee Walking Horse or Racking Horse that is exhibited at a show affiliated with these three HIOs must have a Horse Card.
If I purchase a Horse Card and then sell the horse, do the new owners have to purchase another one?No. A Horse Card follows the horse and only has to be purchased once during the calendar year.
Will I receive an actual card in the mail? No, but you will receive email confirmation. We’re trying to keep our overhead low so all of the money collected can be used for its designated purpose.
Can I purchase the cards at horse shows? You can purchase the cards at any time online, including when you’re at a horse show. Go to www.twhbea.com/ShowCard to purchase the cards online or download a form that can be mailed with a check.
Do I need separate cards for each HIO? No, one card covers you for all the participating HIOs.