NEWS - HIO PRIDE Refuses to Include New Penalties In Their 2011 Rulebook

I got this off of The Scoop, a TWH publication. It's run by the same folks who run the Walking Horse Chat and the Walking Horse World websites. My comments after the post.

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November 29, 2010

PRIDE-HIO : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mt Vernon, KY – November 29, 2010. On November, 2010 PRIDE filed a preliminary response to the OIG Audit and the USDA Response with the USDA. At that time PRIDE informed the USDA that it would be filing a detailed response to the petition in the future. Along with the preliminary response PRIDE filed a letter informing the USDA that it would not implement the mandated penalty structure for the 2011 show season. PRIDE submitted its 2011 Rulebook as a part of the packet to the USDA. The response was filed with Dr Chester Gipson of the USDA. A copy of the 2011 PRIDE Rulebook has been enclosed with this press release. PRIDE will continue enforce the original intent of the HPA as written. PRIDE will also continue to work diligently to ensure that all aspects of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry flourish in the future. PRIDE encourages all industry organizations to work together to enforce the HPA uniformly across our great industry. PRIDE also welcome all organizations to work together to ensure that everyone who wishes to show compliant horses continue to have that freedom.

PRIDE is a Horse Industry Organization (HIO) located in Mt Vernon KY. PRIDE welcomes show managers to contact Sam Hamilton at 859-393-4979 or at sam.momentum@yahoo.com to affiliate their show for the 2011 show season. PRIDE is also taking applications for anyone interested in becoming a licensed judge or DQP for 2011. Anyone interested in getting more information about PRIDE can contact Sam Hamilton at 859-393-4979 or sam.momentum@yahoo.com.

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Do you guys remember the Disney animated movie Aladdin? There's a scene where Jasmine says she won't marry Jafar, and Iago, the parrot, says "Why am I not surprised?" I SO feel like Iago right now.

Well, at least we know that PRIDE is not willing to make progress and that we can certainly steer clear of them. AND let's send in those letters to the USDA--tell them to SHUT PRIDE DOWN! We need to see them fight back and be serious about saving the horse and enforcing the HPA! And feel free to email or call PRIDE so you can voice your displeasure. I think it's important for them to know that we understand they are admitting guilt by not including the new penalty structure and we hope they seriously consider changing their minds and actually following the enforcement as it is being worked on. Cooperation is the key here--if groups like PRIDE want the USDA off their backs, then they better start making serious changes.