NATIONAL WALKING HORSE ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
NATIONAL WALKING HORSE ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
February 2025
Plans for the 2025 NWHA National are being made and include new versatility patterns, price adjustments for increases of costs for the Miller Coliseum; separation of camping based on electrical needs( 30 vs 50 amp); more youth involvement.
The Rules Committee approved and recommended that Romal Reins are not permitted in a class that includes a ground tie or ground tie type obstacle.
Annual meeting plans for 2026 are being made for the Embassy Suites in Nashville.
March 2025
The Judges Committee recommended five judges for the National Show Judges Ballot. The names include Eli Murphy, Zach Parsons, Jason Bachert, Mike Locke and Connie Holbrook.
JoEllen Finerfrock has completed the process and been added to the judges list and two applicants( Athena Lowe and Kelly Johnston) will be apprenticing at the Walking Horse Association of Michigan Spring Premier in May.
Plans continue for the 2025 National Show – changes will include a fee for the Best of Show classes and the office will no longer take entries by U. S. mail.
Rules Committee recommended and the Board approved that borium is not permitted on the toes of any shoes larger than 3 / 8 x ¾ shoe( effective immediately); they also recommended that and the Board approved that pleasure racking rules will be changed to allow English and / or western classes determined by class description( this will be placed in the 2026 rulebook and take effect for the 2026 show season).
Youth Committee will work on a new experience for our youth members – judging! Interested children will have the opportunity to learn all about judging the National Show from Peggy Moore and have the opportunity to work with her in center ring to experience what it is like to judge a large, multi-faceted show; other fun opportunities at the National include a pirate-themed party and a video contest.
Showbills for Regional shows in Texas, South Carolina, Kentucky and Ohio were approved.
The Horse Shows Online program was purchased and will be used in TX as a pilot; plans are to use this program at the National.
Dates for the 2026 Annual Meeting will be January 16 and 17, 2026 at Embassy Suites in Nashville.
The same DQP process that has been used in past years, will continue to be used at our NWHA shows in 2025.
April 2025
The showbill for the 2025 National Show was approved.
Rules Committee will work on language to clarify that online instruction by trainers is not permitted for AOT members.
Youth Committee continues to work on the new programs for the National Show; the committee is very excited about these new opportunities.
New swag is being ordered for NWHA and committee liaisons will be submitting detailed information for the NWHA newsletters.
May 2025
Judges Committee – ballots will be going out soon for the 2025 National; apprentices worked under Lori Snyder-Lowe at the Michigan show this past weekend.
Versatility Committee – patterns for the National Show are being finalized.
Rules Committee clarified the language for AOT section 7.3b1.–“ Virtual lessons and / or evaluations are the same as in-person lessons.” This is a rule clarification and not a change, so this takes effect immediately.
A budget of $ 500 was approved for the Youth Committee to implement their plans for the National Show.
July 2025 | NWHA National Newsletter | 5