Back Country Horsemen of America leads the fight to save trails for horse use and the Tennessee Walking Horse is one of today’s most popular trail horses. It makes sense that BCHA and the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) form a partnership to recognize Tennessee Walking Horses and their riders that best exemplify the mission of Back Country Horsemen of America.
The innovative TWHBEA/BCHA Tennessee Walking Horse Recognition Program will present awards each year to the Tennessee Walking Horses and their riders/owners who best exemplify the mission of Back Country Horsemen of America. One horse and rider/owner will be recognized from each state in which BCHA has a formal organization. The rider/owner must be a member of TWHBEA and of the state BCHA organization. Among those recognized from each state, one horse and rider/owner will be selected for national recognition.
Although the Tennessee Walking Horse is most known as a show horse, more TWHBEA members use them for pleasure than competition. The breed’s smooth gait and quiet disposition make it an ideal trail mount. In fact, some estimate that more than half of the horses participating in Back Country Horsemen of America activities are gaited, and many of those are Tennessee Walking Horses. Gaited horses travel with a more level motion than non-gaited horses, resulting in a less bouncy ride. This quality is particularly attractive to adults new to riding or those experiencing the stiffness of age.
To find out how you can get involved with the TWHBEA/BCHA Tennessee Walking Horse Recognition Program, e-mail Back Country Horsemen of America (execsecretary@backcountryhorse.com) or see the Programs page at www.twhbea.com.
The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) is the oldest and most prestigious organization devoted to the promotion of the breed. Founded in 1935, the breed registry was established to record the pedigrees of the Tennessee Walking Horse. Its goal is to maintain the purity of the breed, to promote greater awareness of the Tennessee Walking Horse and its qualities, to encourage expansion of the breed, and to help assure its general welfare.
BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations, affiliates, and at-large members. Their efforts have brought about positive changes regarding the use of horses and stock in the wilderness and public lands. If you want to know more about Back Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website at www.backcountryhorse.com; call 888-893-5161; or write PO Box 1367, Graham, WA 98338-1367. The future of horse use on public lands is in our hands!
