International Dedication
Lonnie Messick
The 2021 International Grand Championship is posthumously dedicated to Lonnie Messick . A tremendous contributor to the Tennessee Walking Horse industry , Lonnie went to be with the Lord in December of 2020 .
Lonnie Messick grew up on a farm with horses . In 1960 , he bought a mare and started raising colts . Trainer Buddy Moore ’ s barn was near the Messick farm and Lonnie worked with the industry legend for years , showing mares , colts , and weanlings . Eventually , he earned his judges card and in 1994 and 1996 he was honored to judge the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration . In 2016 he was part of the prestigious International Grand Championships judging panel . For many years , he held memberships with the Walking Horse Owners ’ Association and the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders ’ and Exhibitors ’ Association .
Of course , it may be said that Lonnie made his greatest contributions to our industry as a DQP ( Designated Qualified Person ). He was one of the very first DQPs and , starting in 1973 , he was responsible for teaching hundreds of others to fulfill the role , including his sons Chris and Andy . In 1987 , Lonnie went to work part-time in the offices of the National Horse Show Commission ( NHSC ) as the Administrative / DQP Coordinator . In 1998 , the position became full-time . When he retired from the NHSC in 2008 , he was serving as Executive Vice President and Director of Animal Welfare / DQP Services .
A graduate of Central High School in Murfreesboro , Tennessee , Middle Tennessee State University ( MTSU ), and the FBI National Academy at Quantico , Virginia , Lonnie ’ s life was one of service . In 1965 , he went to work for the Murfreesboro Police Department . At the time he was taking classes at MTSU with the intention of becomming a teacher and coach . However , by the time he graduated , he was already making more money as an officer and had been promoted several times . When he retired from the department in 1998 , it was as Assistant Chief .
Very active in his community , Lonnie was a member of several organizaitons including the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police , FBI National Associations , Murfreesoboro Rotary Club , and the Rutherford County Crime Stoppers Board . He was also a member of the North Boulevard Church of Christ .
Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents , James Wiley and Mary Todd Messick , and sons , Brian and John . Our thoughts and prayers remain with Lonnie ’ s beloved wife , Perri , sons , Chris and wife Tara and Andy and wife Krystal , and stepsons , Spencer Dale Reed and David Lyn Reed .