I have been president of the Mississippi Charity Horse Show for the past five years. This show has been in existence for eighty-two years and has done much for charities. It is a three-night Tennessee Walking Horse Show held each spring. Our association is all volunteer and no salaries are paid.

In the last three years, we have given the Blair Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson a total of $105,000. Last year, the hospital chose to dedicate an examining room in their new emergency room to our show. The last two years donations have been $35,000 and $50,000 respectively. This was done with the USDA present five of the six nights and our entries were found to be approximately ninety-eight percent compliant. In our economic world today, four percent unemployment is considered full employment so I would say that ninety-eight percent compliant is excellent, especially when you consider it is subjective to one person’s opinion. Based on the number of tickets written at routine traffic roadblocks, I would say that the number of persons driving without license or insurance falls far below ninety percent. I, for one, am very glad that we do not advocate closing our automotive factories because of this non-compliance. As long as there are children, animals, and humans, unfortunately there will be a certain amount of abuse. Why would we want to punish the ninety-eight percent who work hard to do what is right?

The southeast United States is recognized as being one of the most generous groups of people in our country. Over the past five years as president of our show, I can surely say that Tennessee Walking Horse owners rank at the top of the list. There are many shows in our industry who give to charities and organizations who have scholarship funds and camps for the youth.

One can only imagine the good that tax-deductible charities could do for others if they were as diligent with their funds as is the Jackson, Mississippi show. We would like to thank all the trainers, owners, and exhibitors for their generosity and for treating their horses with great care and respect.

Sincerely,

Robert Taylor
Jackson, Mississippi