The TWHYA youth member of the year is announced each year at the annual December meeting.  Youth members will accumulate points based on their participation in equine events throughout the year. Emphasis will be placed on volunteer work and participation at TWHBEA sponsored events.  However, members will also receive points for volunteering and participating at non-TWHBEA sponsored events.  The youth named Member of the Year will receive a cash prize, as well as the distinction of having his/her photo displayed at TWHBEA headquarters.  To earn points, youth members can submit eligible actives online anytime between November 1, 2024 and October 31, 2025. Each month, youth members who submit an activity will be entered into a drawing for $50.  Below is a breakdown of how points will be awarded.

Send completed Youth Activity Log form to the address below:

TWHBEA Programs
P.O. Box 286
Lewisburg TN 37091
programs@twhbea.com
(931) 359-0583

Recognizing that youth are vital to a successful future for the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, TWHBEA awards both graduate and undergraduate scholarships.

2025 Scholarship Winners

• Troy Wayne Williams of Liberty, Tennessee, is a recipient of a $2,500 TWHBEA/Dowell Family Scholarship. One of the highlights of his high school career was being named the 2024-2025 FFA President for the state of Tennessee at the 96th FFA State Convention. Mr. Williams is extremely passionate about agriculture and the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. He has used that passion to fuel his growth as a competitive Tennessee Walking Horse rider in the All Day Pleasure classes and as an agriculture enthusiast by pursuing a degree in Agriculture Communications and Pre-Law from Tennessee Technical University.

• Frank Clark of Arab, Alabama, is receiving a $1,000 TWHBEA/Dowell Family Scholarship. Frank has been a lifelong Tennessee Walking Horse enthusiast as his first time riding was at nine months old. His high school career consisted of being a member of the FFA, Beta Club, varsity football, and varsity baseball teams. He also held leadership roles as the President of his senior class and an officer within FFA. Frank holds a WGC title in Youth Country Pleasure and is a WGC Youth Pony rider. His passion for the breed is seen through his showing, trail riding, and colt raising. He has been enrolled in the Early Acceptance Program at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine and plans on becoming an equine veterinarian.

• JoAnn Keyser, of Shelbyville, TN, is receiving a $1000 TWHBEA/Dowell Family Scholarship. She has been a heavily involved member with Tennessee Walking Horses since the young age of seven. She has shown and won multiple championships including German Grand Champion, European Grand Champion, and Reserve World Champion in equitation at the 2024 Celebration. She is currently the International Representative on the Youth Board and is active as a youth volunteer. JoAnn will be starting college in the fall of 2026 where she plans to study business and accounting with the goal of running her own business.

• Mallory Johnson of Cookeville, Tennessee, is receiving the Jane Hardy Meredith Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to be used for her studies in Agriculture Business at Murray State University in Kentucky. She is a highly decorated high school FFA and 4H participant with winnings across several agricultural related interests including horse judging, poultry, and rifle sports. Mallory found her love of the Tennessee Walking Horse at a young age and remains active in exhibiting Tennessee Walking Horses, especially in versatility. She plans on putting her degree to use by promoting agriculture and the Tennessee Walking Horse to future generations.

• Harper Grider of Columbia, Kentucky, will be receiving the Keith Reed Undergraduate Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. Through high school, she was an active member of FFA, Beta Club, and the National Honors Society while exhibiting her TWHs. She is attending college at Morehead State University where she is studying pre-veterinary medicine. After obtaining this degree she plans on attending vet school and specializing in the equine field to further her involvement in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.

• Taylor Strickler of Kingsport, Tennessee, is receiving a $1,000 scholarship from the Southwest Walking Horse Breeders Association. Her involvement with the breed is extensive as she has been a youth member, Juvenile Auxiliary Member, and successful rider taking home multiple Championship and Reserve Championship awards. She was also heavily involved in school clubs including Student Government, Beta Club, Key Club, FFA, the National Honors Society, and culinary programs. She is attending the Appalachian College of Pharmacy to obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and become a licensed Pharmacist. She looks forward to improving the lives of others by providing them with assistance through personalized medication therapies.

• Ella Grace Healon of Sumter, South Carolina, is receiving a $1,000 scholarship from the Southwest Walking Horse Breeders Association. She has been involved with Tennessee Walking Horses since a very young age and has won many High Point and Championship honors through her showing career. Outside of her horse showing career, she is a member of the Anchor Club, Science Clubs, Foreign Language Club, Beta Club, and holds a leadership position as the 2025 Cat Tracks Assistant Editor. She will be attending college in the fall of 2026 and aspires to promote the future of the Tennessee Walking Horse by going into either the legal or medical fields. She is very interested in representing the breed through a law degree or through a veterinarian education.

The Tennessee Walking Horse Youth Association hosted its  annual Horse Bowl competition. The competition is open to youth competitors from across the nation. Horse Bowl is an exciting and fun approach to equine knowledge and provides participants the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of equine related subject matter as well as information specific to the Tennessee Walking Horse. These youth competitors answered questions like, “How many bones make up the skeleton of a horse?” and “Name the oldest horse to win the World Grand Championship.”

2025 Horse Bowl Winners 

(there wasn’t a 2025 competition)

Junior Team Champions

Senior Team Champions