News

  • Equine Obituary – Honor Of The Ritz March 12, 2026Honor 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 ...
  • Equiskill Challenge Cup Judge Announced March 12, 2026WHOA 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 ...
  • WHOA Encourages Donations to The Callicutt Family March 12, 2026Our 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 ...
  • Horse Shows Announce Judges March 12, 2026The 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, ...
  • Obituary – Bud Moore March 12, 2026Robert Wayne “Bud” Moore, 86, of Seagrove Beach, FL passed away at his Bit and Spur farm in Lynnville, TN on February 2, 2026. He was dedicated, working 12 hour days, 7 days a week for the first 40 years of his adult life. He was extraordinarily generous, gracious, and thoughtful. He was loving and ...
  • Obituary – Mary Ann Blessing March 12, 2026Mary Ann Blessing, age 67, went home to be with the Lord on February 12, 2026, in Bristol, Tennessee. Born in Rockville, Maryland, Mary Ann lived a life marked by unwavering faith, quiet strength, and tireless service to others. Mary Ann was married for 43 years to her devoted husband, Herschel Blessing, with whom she built ...
  • WHOA Nominations November 12, 2025The Nominating Committee of the Walking Horse Owners’ Association has nominated the following people for the 2026 Board of Directors. Nominations for WHOA Board of Directors – 3 year term DeeDee Miller Bacon-Tennessee Kim Bennett-Kentucky Jodi DeDecker Bubar-Illinois Ken Estes-Tennessee Dickie Gardner-Tennessee Darden Gladney-Louisiana Keegan Meadows-Tennessee Sis Osborne-Tennessee Nominee for 2026 WHOA President – 1 year term Rhonda Martocci-Tennessee Any candidate for the WHOA Board of Directors ...
  • Obituary- Dr. Jack Allen Pirkle November 12, 2025On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the Lord called Jack Pirkle home after a battle with cancer. A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Trinity United Methodist Church. Reverend Chris Hester officiated the service. The family received friends at the funeral home on Friday, October 31, 2025, and on Saturday, November 1, ...
  • Derickson/Barnett Engagement November 12, 2025The Scoop congratulates Thomas Derickson and Destiny Barnett on their recent engagement. Thomas proposed to Destiny on October 26, 2025, at the pavilion at the top of Pleasant Valley Farm in Shelbyville, TN. The couple will exchange vows in June of next year.
  • BLACKBURN & LANGSTON EXCHANGE VOWS October 1, 2025Alex Blackburn and Jake Langston were united in marriage on September 20, 2025 before a large number of guests. The vows were exchanged at the home of the groom’s parents, John and Melissa Langston in Columbia, Tennessee. The bride is the daughter of Knox and Stacy Blackburn. The couple will reside in Columbia.
  • OBITUARY – JOHN WILLIAM MAYHER October 1, 2025John William Mayher, Jr. 84, of Midland, Georgia, passed away Saturday, September 13, 2025 surrounded by his family. Funeral services were Thursday, September 18 at St. Paul Church, Columbus, Georgia with Rev. Dr. Shane Green and Rev. Norman Dunlap officiating. The family received friends on Wednesday, September 17 in The Mill Room of Striffler Hamby. ...
  • Judges selected for Celebration Fall Classic October 1, 2025TWHNC Press Release September 25, 2005 The Celebration has selected Ryne Parker, Sam Sorrell and Chad Williams to judge the Celebration Fall Classic. The Fall Classic will be held in Cooper Steel Arena on October 30th through November 1st. Sam Sorrell is a veteran to Celebration events having judged the Celebration eight times with the most recent ...
  • Jacobs delivers game ball at MTSU HOMECOMING October 1, 2025This past weekend SWEET WALKING MATILDA and Ally Jo Jacobs found themselves strutting their stuff in a completely different kind of arena. The recently crowned Owner Amateur Youth 6-17 Trail Pleasure World Grand Championship duo, delivered the game ball to kick off the Middle Tennessee State University Homecoming football game in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
  • TAEP Information Workshop Held At TWHBEA October 1, 2025Monday, September 22nd TWHBEA and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture hosted an information workshop to educate eligible equine business owners about the addition of equine to the TAEP program. The workshop was held at the TWHBEA headquarters in Lewisburg, TN and via Zoom. Participants were walked through the TAEP website information and were able to ...
  • Welcome Baby – Mary Michael Tracy September 18, 2025Mike and Casey Tracy are delighted to announce the arrival of their beautiful baby girl, Mary Michael Tracy, born on August 12, 2025. She weighed 8.7 pounds and measured 21 inches long. Mary Michael has already made her first trip to the 2025 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, where she proudly cheered on her big brother, ...