Lewisburg, TN – The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ And Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) is pleased to congratulate Tennessee Walking Horse enthusiast Kristen Wilson on her recent Maryland Horse Industry Board Touch Of Class Award and appointment as the University of Kentucky’s Equine Academic Coordinator.

The Maryland Horse Industry Board Touch Of Class Award is a monthly awards program that recognizes Maryland horses and people who achieve national and international success. Wilson, the former Extension Horse Specialist at the University of Maryland, received the January 2013 award with her Tennessee Walking Horse, The Midnight Ride, who won over 50 blue ribbons showing in six states in 2012.

Following her tenure as University of Maryland Extension Horse Specialist, Wilson was appointed academic coordinator within the University of Kentucky Equine Science and Management undergraduate degree program, a component of the UK Ag Equine Programs. In her new role, Wilson will work closely with faculty in the Equine Science and Management degree program to coordinate undergraduate programs. She will advise incoming freshmen and will also serve as the primary initial advising contact throughout the academic year. She will also be responsible for program monitoring and working with faculty on assessment of student learning.

Introduced to the Tennessee Walking Horse by her grandfather, Wilson started riding and showing the breed as a teenager. While she was in college she worked for Hard Rock Farm, a Tennessee Walking Horse training facility in Williston, Florida. Since that time she has continued to ride and show walking horses, including her multi-national champion mare, The Midnight Ride.