Marty Irby was featured on the front cover of The Tennessean on July 24, 2013. Irby stated he was the youngest Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association president and served his term in 2010 where it ended in December. Irby stated he joined with Keith Dane, the Humane Society’s equine protection director and is supporting the bill that would end the pads and chains and end the Performance division.