The Nominating Committee of the Walking Horse Owners’ Association has nominated the following people for the 2025 Board of Directors to serve for a 3-year term.

Nominees for WHOA
Board of Directors:
Martha Child – Tennessee
Kevin Gilliam – North Carolina
Jessica Mast – Tennessee
Maggie Moore – Tennessee
Peggy Moore – Tennessee
Susan Paul – Tennessee
Woody Woodruff – Tennessee
Amanda Wright – Tennessee

Any candidate for the WHOA Board of Directors must have been in good standing for the prior two years. Anyone wishing his or her name declared as a candidate will need to notify the Walking Horse Owners’ Association office no later than December 1, 2024. According to the By-Laws, Article III, Section 1, stating “anyone desiring to be a candidate shall give notice by registered mail, electronic mail, or fax to the Association of his or her intent to run for a directorship.”
This notice must reach our office no later than December 1, 2024
According to the By-Laws, Article IV, Section 2, stating, “The President shall be elected by total popular vote by the majority of the members for voting. Any candidate for President must have been a member in good standing and must have served on the Board of Directors for the past two years immediately prior to the election. In order to be a candidate for President, other than being nominated by the Nominating Committee, a person must be nominated by a member in good standing of this association. Said nomination, together with a written statement by the nominee agreeing to said nomination, must be reported to the association no later than December 1, 2024.
These nominations must reach our office no later than December 1, 2024
We are looking forward to a great 2025 and we appreciate the continued support of each and every member.
Respectfully yours,
Mark Taylor, Executive Director

Jesse and Autumn Scott Barnes were united in marriage in a private ceremony on October 9, 2024. The couple exchanged vows at The Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs,  Colorado.  The Scoop sends our happiest wishes to the newlyweds.

RWGC Honor And Remember passed away on November 5, 2024. He fought hard, but after a lengthy and extended health battle, the beautiful stallion ended the fight.
Honor And Remember was sired by Honors and out of the mare Think Pink. He was bred by Stephanie White and foaled on April 29, 2018. His career wins totaled 17 blue ribbons, including the 2022 Four-Year-Old Reserve World Grand Championship.
Honor And Remember was owned by Kim and George Lewis, who were grateful to own such an amazingly talented horse, but will now focus on the wonderful memories he allowed them to have. He will also be sadly missed by his trainer, Dan Waddell, along with the DWS team, and the many fans and supporters of the young stallion.

RWC Front Nine made a trip to Rocky Top and represented the Tennessee Walking Horse industry and to this year’s recent University of Tennessee’s Homecoming game. The beautiful horse was exhibited by Katherine Vaughn, niece of Karen McGee Harnden.
Front Nine is owned by Christen Lovvorn.

Leatherwood Farm is excited to announce that Bailey Momb has joined their staff.
In a social media post released by Leatherwood Farm Trail Horses, administrators stated that the multi-WGC trainer is a welcome addition to their team and they look forward to seeing what the future brings!

Mrs. Janice L. Dennis (Cass) Holt, age 76, of Shelbyville, Passed away Sunday, November 3, 2024.
The funeral service was Saturday, November 9, 2024 at the funeral home. Brother Steve Murphree officiated.
She was born, May 30, 1948, to the late Dexter D. and Myrtle Vinson Dennis, in Cookeville, TN.
She loved reading, gardening and spending time with her family. The Holidays were her favorite time of the year and enjoyed decorating, baking, and cooking for her children and grandchildren. She was an avid Alabama football fan and loved Tennessee Walking Horses. Her career spanned over 40 years owning and operating many businesses, including auto and equine auctions, auto and marine dealerships, and buying and selling antiques.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, A.P. Sonny Holt, in 2017.
She is survived by her two sons, Greg (Miranda) Cass, of Shelbyville, and Michael R. Cass, of Jasper, TN; two sisters, Joyce (Danny) Sutton and Brenda (Larry) Henson; grandchildren, Logan (Blake) Willis of Stevenson, AL, and Reed Cass, of Severance, Colorado, Adrian Cass and Oscar Santiago Cass; great-grandchildren, Finley and Ella Grace Willis, both of Stevenson, AL; and step-daughter, Megan (Jay) Holt Seeman.
Feldhaus memorial Chapel assisted the family with arrangements.

Phyllis Byars Prater was born on January 06, 1963 to Douglas and Clara Byars. She was the oldest of 3 children. Phyllis was a devout wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. You could always find a smile on Phyllis’ face and a warm kind greeting whenever you saw her. She was beautiful inside and out and always “put together”. Her servant heart and her kindness defined Phyllis. She was the epitome of a good Samaritan.
Even at a young age, her strong work ethic, her organizational skills, her “get it done” attitude, some might call that bossiness, and she would be okay with that adjective because it prepared her for her future endeavors of being a business owner, organizer, and a pillar of the community.
Phyllis was a 1981 graduate of Warren County High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society and the Senior Class Secretary-Treasurer. To be honest, if you think of any high school club or office, she was probably a part of it. She loved being involved at a young age which carried over into her adult life.
Phyllis had many jobs, but the job the Warren County Community will remember her most from is her business, Prater’s BBQ. Phyllis did not have a wall full of degrees, but what did make her successful at Praters, and in life, could not be taught, because the kindness and charity that she showed came from her heart.
Phyllis was a member of the Church of Christ at Westwood. She was a board member of the Warren County Chamber of Commerce where she was recently recognized with the Edwin Partin Retailer of the Year award. Phyllis was an alumnus of Junior Auxiliary and was featured in Living 50 Plus in the Southern Standard.
Phyllis had a long list of accolades and her accomplishments throughout her short life; however, her greatest accomplishments were her love of God and her family. She could often be seen cheering her grandchildren on at a ballgame, cheer competition, or picking them up from school, because her life revolved around her family. Each member of her family knew how much they meant to her, because she loved them so deeply.
As mentioned before, Phyllis was a devout Christian, an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend – this too could have been an award she would have won – hands down. Phyllis will forever live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and her community. We will Love and Miss you Forever Phyllis.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her father Douglas Byars and is survived by her husband Gary Prater who cherished her so, her loving mother Clara Byars, her children Tyler (Brittany) Herriman, Brandi Prater, and Travis (Meredith) Prater, sister Gina (Joel) Hausler, brother Roger (Crystal) Byars, brother-in-law Tommy Prater, sisters-in-law Linda (Charles) Hale, Elaine (Holly) Holobaugh, and Jean Stephens, grandchildren Tylee Herriman, Briley Herriman, Taylan Herriman, Kole Higgins, Kennedi Higgins, Ellis Prater, and Owen Prater, special nieces Katelyn (Ty) Bryan, Kassidy (Kaden) Davenport, Vicki (Derrick) Roberts, and Stephanie (Todd Dunn) George, special great-nephews Ryder Davenport, Dylan (Elisabeth) George, Curtlan (Lexie Thomas) George, and Layne Roberts, special great-great nieces Millie George and Willow George, as well as several other nieces, nephews, family members and a host of close friends and acquaintances.
Funeral services were conducted October 29, 2024, at Westwood Church of Christ. Michael Rowand officiated. Interment followed at Centertown Cemetery.
The Phyllis Prater Scholarship Fund has been set up. Anyone wishing to donate may do so at any Security Federal branch. Memorial donations may also be made to Meals on Wheels, Kids of the Community, or to McMinnville Special Games.

Philip Trimble recently suffered a brain injury which resulted in surgery and a long road to recovery. With an injury of this magnitude, Philip has not been able to work. Friends of the family have organized a benefit to help relieve some of the financial stress that happens from medical expenses. Please mark your calendars for November 2nd and attend this worthy event. The Scoop asks that you continue to remember Philip prayerfully, as well as Amy and Colton.

Linda Kay Candelaria Richards of Hendersonville, Tennessee passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024 after battling cancer for nearly two years. Her absence is so very evident, but her life lives on, in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know and love her. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Dr. Roger Richards Sr. They have two children, Roger Richards Jr. and Kelly (Marshall) Ward, and one granddaughter, Magnolia Ward.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 18, 2024
Contact: Mark Farrar, 931-359-1574, mfarrar@twhbea.com

The TWHBEA Election Committee met yesterday and certified the results of this year’s election. The ballots were counted by Winnett Associates PLLC. 10 States/Regions elected directors to full three-year
terms, with Michigan, Virginia, and Region 6 also electing directors for partial terms. In Michigan, Carol Branam was elected to fill the unexpired one-year term of Dr. Gerald Pease. In Virginia, Mary Susan Ellis was elected to fill the unexpired two-year term of Bethany Lackey. In Region 6, Susana Osorno Belmont was elected to fill the unexpired two-year term of James Dolan.
In the election for Tennessee directors there was a tie between Beth Thomas and Jayden Jackson. Beth Thomas has withdrawn her name stating “I am very aware of the expense and time a run-off election
would cost the board. I do not want to create that extra on TWHBEA. Given the issues our industry and organizations are facing, I would rather the money and time be dedicated to helping where needed.”
Out of 2563 ballots mailed to eligible voters, 431 were returned and counted for a return rate of 17%. 210 ballots were emailed to international members and those who have opted-in for electronic voting. 105 of the 210 email ballots were completed and counted for a response rate of 50%. Overall, 19% of those eligible voted in the election.

Directors elected for a three-year term include:

Alabama – William (Bill) Strickland

California – Ethlyn (Lyn) Montgomery

Illinois – Lance Meisenheimer

Kentucky – Kim Bennett, Joe Fraley, Dale Steinmetz

Missouri – Jason Bachert

South Carolina – Thomas Kakassy

Tennessee – Carrie Benedict, Thom Meek, William (Ty) Irby, Brian Wright, Linda Garrard, Jayden Jackson

Virginia – Beth Showalter

Region 1 (Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom) – Gerrit Band

Region 2 (Iowa, Wisconsin) – Kim Leonard
Directors elected for partial terms include:

Michigan – Carol Branam (1-year)

Virginia – Mary Susan Ellis (2-years)

Region 6 (Dominican Republic, Mexico) – Susana Osorno Belmont (2-years)

Board members will be sworn in on Saturday, December 7 during the International Board of Directors Meeting. There will be a New Board Member Orientation held prior to the meeting.
Thank you from the Election Committee for your participation:

David Williams, chair (TN)
Kathy Gilliam-Cole (WA)
Chris Hazelwood (TN)
Sharon Rice (VA)
David Sisk (TN)