2016 Annual Meeting & High Point Banquet
Point champions to commemorate
all their hard work throughout the
year and not just one division of High
Point competition but many.
The Overall Versatility High Point
champion was none other than a
horse very familiar to the NWHA high
point program. Congratulations to
Katie Tanner and Simpley Shocking
for winning this award!
upon members were yet to be
awarded.
The NWHA Pegasus award is
presented each year to the NWHA
member who goes above and
beyond. Each year someone who
put their heart and soul, time, and
many resources into advancing the
organization is recognized with this
award. These awards frequently
bring about an emotional time in
the evening, and this year was no
exception.
The Overall Rail High Point champion
also went to a horse that many in
the organization recognize and love.
Prowln’ Golden Opportunity Took
home this high honor.
The final High Point Award of the
evening was the 2015 Overall High
Point Grand Champion. All those
attending the high point banquet
that evening applauded loudly
as Prowln’ Golden Opportunity
was announced as the winner.
Congratulations to the entire
Bochenek family for all of their
hard work throughout the year of
competition!
But the night was not over yet! The
two highest honors the National
Walking Horse Association bestows
Jean Marie Degville was chosen as
the 2015 recipient of the Pegasus
Award. After listing many but not all
of the things Jean Marie does for
the organization, she was given the
floor for a speech. With tears running
down her face and down the faces
of many in the room, she simply
said “Thank you for this honor.” This
was a great part of the evening and
thank you Jean Marie for everything
you do!
The final part of the evening is
reserved for the Phoenix award,
given to anyone within the
Tennessee Walking Horse breed that
contributes to the advancement of
the sound horse overall. This person
does not have to be a member of
our organization, but NWHA looks to
commemorate all the hard work they
do. The 2015 recipient of this award
was Miss Lyn Montgomery!
Lyn does amazing work rescuing,
fostering, and finding forever homes
for Tennessee walking horses
throughout the country. She has built
an online network of people that
support this wonderful cause, and
she does so with a huge smile on
her face at all times. The National
Walking Horse Association is so very
proud of all the work that Lyn does.
Thank you very much Lyn for all you
do!
Please look in the next issue of
the NWHA National News online
magazine for articles about both
Jean Marie Degville and Lyn
Montgomery. We will be looking into
their history, lives, and all the work
they do for the sound Walking Horse.
Many thanks to all who attended the
annual meeting and the high point
awards banquet. We are so looking
forward to 2016 and we can’t wait
to see you out on the trails or in the
show ring in 2016!
NWHA National News 21