National Walking Horse Association . . .
Walking at the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games
 
Wonderful!  Awesome!  Wow!  Those were just a few of the comments heard coming from the audience as the National Walking Horse Association team performed in the Equine Village Arena at the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. 
 
The four performances were the culmination of a process that started over two years ago.  Our ten horses and riders presented the naturally-gaited walking horse to the “world.”  As the official breed representative for The Tennessee Walking Horse, NWHA is so proud and honored to have been chosen by WEG to represent this great breed at the Games.
 
Team horses were selected for their true “walking” gait and accomplishments both in the show ring and versatility events.  Team members were from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina.
 
The team entered the arena together and then executed their routines in pairs to some exciting music selected especially for the occasion by choreographer Scot MacGregor.  The riders and horses were:  Jim Potter and Rock Solid Rev;  Mag Ranft and Extra Classic;  Melissa Davidson and Master Revelation;  Jennifer Batts and Count On Spirit O’Three; Allison Thorson and Vigor’s Dixie Chick; Elissa Dauberman and Craving Blue; Rachel Baker and Allen All Around; Jason Crawhorn and Cocoa’s Red Zone; Lynn MacGregor and Cash’s Prime Time;  and, Scot MacGregor and Banner’s Dixie Belle.   Narration was provided by Wayne Williams of “Speaking of Horses” fame.   The crowd was singing, dancing, and cheering them on! 
 
Following each performance, the horses and riders “greeted” the audience at the rail and also in the Meet-and-Greet areas.  They all were true ambassadors for the NWHA and the Tennessee Walking Horse breed. 
 
The team said of their experience, “there are no words to express how proud we were to represent the Tennessee Walking Horse to such a diverse crowd from around the world and to overwhelming support of this wonderful breed of horse.”
 
In addition, the National Walking Horse Association had a promotional booth in the Equine Village.  The booth was made possible by generous donations from the membership and much preparation by Val Delana.  During the 16 days of the Games, volunteers at the NWHA booth greeted visitors from all over the United States and from Japan, England, Ireland, India, New Zealand, Brazil, and more.  The Youth Committee provided NWHA buttons that were distributed along with magazines, brochures, and lots of smiles. 
 
Special thanks to those that so generously contributed to ensure NWHA’s presence at the Games . . . the sponsors, exhibitors, grooms, booth volunteers, etc that made it all possible.  The WEG visitors were treated to NWHA’s best! 
 
Please continue scrolling down for some pictures of your NWHA WEG Team!   More pictures will be available shortly.   Also, please plan to attend our Annual Meeting on November 12-14 to share in the tribute to our WEG Team including beautiful photos and videos of the event!  Visit our supporters!
 
 

 

 

NWHA Selects Representatives for
2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG) Exhibition

The National Walking Horse Association has selected the following equine representatives for the 2010 World Equestrian Games:

Rock Solid Rev/Jim Potter – Jim and “Rico” bring excitement and presentation to the ring and they are 3 time National Grand Champions.
Owners- Henri and Gary Williams, Grafton, OH  
 
Extra Classic/Mag Ranft – Mag and “Classy” bring together an amateur rider with show horse brilliance. They are 5 time National Champions.
Owner- Mag Ranft, Groveport, OH
 
Master Revelation/Melissa Davidson – “Missy” and “Petie” have performed many exhibitions for NWHA. “Petie” is an NWHA All Around Versatility Champion, a National Grand Champion and a TWHBEA Supreme Versatility Champion.
Owners- Rick and Melissa Davidson, Lenoir City, TN
 
Count on Spirit O’Three/ Jennifer Batts – This team represents great winning diversity. “Jennifer” has won the NWHA All Around Versatility Championship and is a multi-National Champion.
Owners- Gary and Jennifer Batts, Rocky Mount, NC
 
Vigor’s Dixie Chick/Allison Thorson – This top winning juvenile team presents the beautiful Walking Horse motion. “Dixie” and “Allison” are 3 time National Grand Champions and 2 time NWHA Trail Pleasure High Point Youth.
Owner- Allison Thorson, Huron, OH
 
Craving Blue/Elissa Dauberman – This team has a long history of winning on the East coast including being 4 time National Grand Champions and the 2007 NWHA High Point Adult.          
Owner Elissa Dauberman – Halifax, PA
 
Allen All Around/Rachel Baker – “Allen” has represented NWHA at many past exhibitions in the U.S. and Canada. Allen is an 18 time National Grand Champion and an NWHA All Around Versatility Champion; and “Rachel” is a 3 time National Champion Youth Rider.       
Owners- Lee & Linda Ritter, Columbia, TN
 
Cocoa’s Red Zone/Jason Crawhorn – “Jason” and “Red Zone” create a wonderful presentation of form and movement between horse and rider and are 2 time National Grand Champions.
Owners- Lisa Bowen & Tiffany Crawhorn, Franklin, KY
 
Cash’s Prime Time/Lynn MacGregor – This brilliant team bring flash and power to the arena which led to winning the 2009 Plantation Pleasure 2 gait Grand Championship.
Owner- Charles Fulton, Marietta, GA
 
Banner’s Dixie Belle/ Scot MacGregor – This Model Mare National Champion brings the beauty of the Walking Horse to the arena while exhibiting the timing and power of the running walk and the rocking chair canter.
Owner- Marilynne MacLeod, Murfreesboro, TN

We feel these horses and riders showcase the best of NWHA. They will present an exciting and informative insight into the qualities of our naturally gaited breed. Also, the principles for which our organization, NWHA, was formed and continues to promote. Please join us in supporting and celebrating these outstanding naturally gaited horses to the World Equestrian Games and to the world!

Sponsors and volunteers are needed to support NWHA’s efforts. To learn more about these opportunities please contact the NWHA Office.

NWHA’s 2010 World Equestrian Games Demonstration Horse Photos Now Available!

www.photosbyhenri.com
 
On my web site shown above, you will find photos of the NWHA horses and riders going to the World Equestrian Games .  This includes the WEG NWHA team photo of all ten horses and riders. 
 
These photos will be used on a large computerized marquee (jumbo TV) in the arena during our WEG demonstrations.  Ten horses and riders will participate in a 30 minute presentation each day.  The photos will help personalize and identify the horses and riders to the observers.  The pictures will also be used at the NWHA booth during the entire WEG and at the NWHA National Championship Horse Show.
 
Because these ten horses will go down in the history of the Walking Horse, the team photo will be framed, with the horses names, and will be hung at the NWHA office in the Kentucky Horse Park.
 
All photos are being donated to NWHA for the Games.  They are also available to anyone for purchase. 
 
This is only one tiny little part of the picture (pun intended)!  Lots of people are working hard and doing all sorts of creative things so that we can tell the world about the Walking Horse.  We are taking full advantage of the World Equestrian Games opportunity.  You wouldn't believe what's going on behind the scenes...ask...maybe you could be a part of it!
 
Photos…by Henri
www.photosbyhenri.com
440-213-5837