Join the TWHYA Summer Splash Show Committee
Planning is underway for our TWHYA Summer Splash Horse Show, the biggest youth fundraiser of the year! It’ll be held Friday night, June 12 in Champions Arena and will once again be a double-point Riders Cup show. There are plenty of opportunities for youth members who would like to get involved. We’d love your help—whether it’s serving on the committee, volunteering, or even job-shadowing show officials.
Email programs@twhbea.com to get involved!
TWHBEA Awarded Two Tennessee America 250 Grants
TWHBEA is a recipient of a $20,000 grant and a $10,000 grant for Tennessee America 250 initiatives from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. The $20,000 grant award will be used for a digitization project focused on preserving and expanding public access to its VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse magazine collection and historic photograph archive, which together document nearly 90 years of the breed’s history and its impact on Tennessee communities. These materials capture the people, events, traditions, and evolving culture of the Tennessee Walking Horse, offering a rich visual and narrative record of the state’s agricultural and social heritage.
The $10,000 grant award will be used for the creation of a podcast series dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the living history of the Tennessee Walking Horse, drawing on the organization’s 90 years of accumulated records, experiences, and expertise. The project will prioritize recording interviews with the few surviving foundational members of the industry whose firsthand knowledge represents an irreplaceable link to Tennessee’s agricultural and cultural heritage. These voices, combined with archival research and expert commentary, will provide a rich, firsthand perspective on the breed’s development and its role in Tennessee history.
This project is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee administered by the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial.
Obituary – Gail Anderson
Olivia “Gail” Price Anderson, 86, of Fairmount, passed away from this earthly life on Friday, March 27, 2026, at The Oaks in Fairmount, Georgia.
Gail Andersoon was born on February 24, 1940, the daughter of the late John W (Curly) Crittendon, and Sarah Appy Crittendon; in addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Willie Price; grandson, Bobby Wayne Glass, and daughter, Tracy Price Glass, and sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Bill Martin. Mrs. Anderson was a member of Fairmount First Baptist Church. The family ask that flowers be omitted and contributions be given to Fairmount First Baptist Church in her memory. The mailing address is 176 Peachtree Street, Fairmount, Georgia, 30139.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Alan & Cindy Price of Fairmount; Wesley & Rene Price; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marilyn and Billy Ray Price, Kay and Sam Lewis, and Mona Clark; brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Lynn Crittendon, and Jimmy and Trudy Crittendon; grandchildren, Wes (Brandi) Price, Shane (Nicole) Price, Tyler (Brianna) Price, and Nick (Molli) Price, Jennifer (Jeff) Nicholson, Maddie (Josh) Bowling, along with great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A service celebrating the life of Olivia “Gail” Price Anderson was held March 31, 2026, from the chapel of Max Brannon & Sons Funeral Home with Eddie Brannon & Jimmy Crittendon officiating.
The family would like to especially thank The Oaks Assisted Living and Spirit Hospice for their support and Care.
The Brannon Family and staff were honored to serve the family of Olivia “Gail” Price Anderson.
Apply now for a WHTA Scholarship
FAST Spring Showcase announces judges
The FAST Spring Showcase is happy to announce that Jeanette Baucom, Keegan Arrington-Meadows and Link Webb will mark the cards for this year’s show.
The event will be held April 23-25, 2026, at Cooper Steel Arena in Shelbyville, Tennessee. The class schedule will be available in the coming days.
For more information on the event contact Dee Cantrell at 706-366-1011.
To sponsor a class or book a VIP table, call Sarah Smith at 931-580-5085.
Equine Obituary – Honor Of The Ritz
Honor Of The Ritz was humanely laid to rest on February 12, 2026.
Bred by Lavon Tyson, Honor Of The Ritz was first owned by the partnership of Riddley and Tyson before being purchased as a three-year-old by Chavigney Beasley. His early career began under the direction of Michael and Casey Wright at Wright Stables, followed by time with Nick Plafcan at Link Webb Stables. He later moved to Charlie Green Stables, where Beasley first saw the young stallion and immediately recognized something special.
“It was love at first sight — I wasn’t leaving without him,” Beasley recalled. “He had that unmistakable ‘it’ factor coming across the hill as a three-year-old.”
Following his purchase, Honor Of The Ritz was placed under the direction of Dan Waddell Stables, where he achieved the majority of his success. Among his accomplishments were the 2024 Reserve World Championship in the Four-Year-Old Stallions division and the 2025 Reserve World Championship in the Open Stallions class. Throughout his career, he earned multiple top-three finishes at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, collected numerous blue ribbons, and, most recently, was nominated for Horse of the Year in his division for the 2025 season.
Honor Of The Ritz leaves behind many friends and admirers at Dan Waddell Stables and throughout the industry. Beasley expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the memories he gave her and hopes he rests peacefully. A horse with the heart of a champion, his spirit and motto — “Whatever you do, do it with honor” — will live on through those who knew and loved him.
Equiskill Challenge Cup Judge Announced
WHOA is pleased to announce, Ms. Gayle Lampe, an equestrian name that needs no introduction, will mark the cards for the 2026 Equiskill Challenge Cup Equitation Championship class at The International Grand Championship this July at the TN Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, TN.
The Equiskill Challenge Cup class is a 3 gait equitation class open to youth, amateur, and limited amateur riders. It is judged 50% on rail work and 50% on the pattern. To be eligible, a rider must show a TWHBEA registered horse in ANY equitation class between January 1, 2026, and the start of the Challenge Cup event.
Equiskill LLC is a KY nonprofit LLC dedicated to education and promotion of TWH horsemanship events.
COME WALK WITH US!
WHOA Encourages Donations to The Callicutt Family
Our hearts are heavy as we share that one of our own has suffered a devastating loss due to a barn fire on February 15, 2026— a disaster resulting in the loss of 36 horses, tack, and more. The Callicutt family has given so much to the Walking Horse industry over the years, always supporting others with kindness, generosity, and dedication. Now, it’s our turn to support them.
The Walking Horse Owners’ Association is donating $1,000 to help this family begin to rebuild. We invite each of you to join us in showing your support by donating any amount you can. Every dollar will make a difference and will go directly toward helping them recover from this tragedy.
Let’s stand together as the Walking Horse Owners Association and support this family during this very difficult time.
Donations can be made to:
John Callicutt
351 Highway 82 East
Bell Buckle, TN 37020
Anyone wishing to donate through Venmo, please send to @ann-callicutt. If you choose to Venmo your donation, please take a screenshot of your donation and text it to Beverly Burgess 931-703-5378 or Carrie Benedict 270-590-5285.
With gratitude,
Mark Taylor
Executive Director, WHOA
Horse Shows Announce Judges
The Southern Belle, will take place April 2–4 in Cleveland, Tennessee. Judging panel for the 2026 event will be Jason Bachert, Brad Gregory, and Justin Miller.
Marking the cards at the National Trainers’ Show will be Amber Zahnd, Ryne Parker and Johnny Puckett. The 58th Annual National Trainers’ Show, hosted by the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association, will take place on March 26-28, 2026, in Cooper Steel Arena in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
