The Tennessee Walking Horse has long been recognized as a superior trail mount because they are smart, strong, surefooted and smooth. The Tennessee Walking Horse was originally bred to be a utility horse capable of carrying a rider over the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee in comfort and style. This inherent ability translates perfectly to most any terrain or situation. TWHBEA offers Distance, Competitive Trail Riding, Endurance, Limited Distance and Open Gaited Breed Distance programs for this discipline.

The Utility/Sport discipline of the Tennessee Walking Horse includes (but is not necessarily limited to) reining, western riding, over fences, trail obstacle, obstacle driving, dressage, service horse, therapeutic riding, and field trial. The Tennessee Walking Horse was originally bred to be a utility horse capable of carrying a rider over the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee in comfort and style, plow the fields and ride on hunts. Harnessed to surreys or wagons, it took families to church and the county fair. It was a practical breed of horse. Today, the horse is no longer a necessity in a lot of cases, but rather a source of pleasure. TWHBEA offers a Versatility Program (World Series), and Service Horse program for this discipline.

The flat-shod “Pleasure Horse” has brilliance and show presence while performing true walking gaits. The three, easy-riding gaits are the flat-foot walk, the running walk, and the canter. They are all natural, inherited gaits. This discipline of the Tennessee Walking Horse can go from the show ring on Saturday to the trail on Sunday to therapeutic horse on Monday. Classes in this division are offered from 11 and Under to Elite 70 and Over.

The “Performance” Tennessee Walking Horse (sometimes referred to as padded or built-up) is shown in English attire and tack. It executes the basic natural gaits; the flat-foot walk, the running walk and the canter with more animation and accentuated brilliance. This discipline of the Tennessee Walking Horse is shown by riders 11 and Under to Elite 70 and Over.