WHOA /ThorSport Spring Fling
May 30, 2020 • Murfreesboro, Tennessee
ThorSport Farm went all out to
restart our show season. Everything
was great. ThorSport had taken
every precaution to ensure the safety
of all. Masks were available, hand
sanitizers were everywhere, and distances
of six feet had been marked
off for vehicles plus exhibitors. This
was WHOA’s first horse show since
the Covid-19 quarantine. WHOA
is so very thankful to the Thorson
family, Keegan Meadows and Arron
Self for providing the excellent
facilities for this show. There was
nothing left undone. The ThorSport
staff did any and everything they
could to make us feel special. Add
to that our capable judge Frankie Jo
Bradley, organist Chase Williams,
and photographer Barr Studios and
IT was first class all the way!!!!
WHOA joined whole heartedly in
the effort for safety by having everyone
make pre-entries and with having
two DQPs on hand so there was
no waiting nor close contact while
going thru the inspection process.
Exhibitors and DQPs were required
to wear masks while going thru
inspection. I heard no complaints
from anyone of having to comply
with the new regulations. WHOA
was thrilled with the number of
entries that came thru the entrance
gate. One HUNDRED Sixty Five
14 • Walking On
entries walked thru the gate. These
horses were spot on---walking and
shaking and the competition was
just plain awesome! Folks were so
nice and friendly and SO eager to be
able to visit with each other, to see
the talented walking horses, just to
be able to get out in a safe environment.
I feel I must mention the fact that
our youth classes were very well
filled. Eleven in the All Day Pleasure
and 13 in the Country Pleasure in
addition to the well filled Academy
Classes. NINE youth exhibitors
competed in the Equitation Class!
WOW! That is a record for this day
and time. I, personally am glad to
see the increase in the equitation
numbers. WE ALL need to sit a
horse properly. Again I wish more
trainers were taking advantage of the
WHOA Academy Program. It is the
best place to introduce new riders-
--young and adult---to the fun of
horse showing. Please contact the office
for more information. YOUTH
RIDERS we love you!
ThorSport Farm offered a Best
Turned Out Award for the horse and
rider duo that were regarded to have
the best appearance. As this was a
dress show it was a timely place to
introduce the award which went to
Tanner Johnson aboard Ferdinand.
Reserve honors were awarded to
Taylor LeGate and Jazzy Nighthawk.
Both teams were spotless and
attractively attired. Congratulations
to both teams who just happened
to be youth riders! In addition to
providing their beautiful facility and
offering this new award, ThorSport
generously furnished all the ribbons
for the show and present each
first place tie with a bottle of Three
Minute Gate Call Giddy Up Go
Shampoo or Shine. The ribbons and
grooming products were coveted by
all.
Our exhibitors came with their
smiley faces in place and were very
grateful of the opportunity to be able
to show their Tennessee Walking
Horses. THANK YOU to the Thorsons,
Duke, Rhonda and Allison and
the entire ThorSport staff that was
on hand to help and assist with any
and all requests making the resumption
of the WHOA Show season
a inspiring success. Kudos also to
the sponsors, including Porsche,
BMW, Mercedes, Tenda, our 20 class
sponsors plus Hpas.us. 20 classes
was perfect, food was great, track
was great, every media outlet of the
Walking Horse industry was there,
it was a perfect way to kick off our
season.
– Sis Osborne