We’ve already talked about where the Tennessee Walking Horse industry stands today— fewer horses showing, record-breaking prices at the top, and a level of quality we’ve never seen before. The era of the  super-elite athlete  is real. So the question becomes: What can we take immediate responsibility for—right now—without waiting on rule changes, organizations, or committees? The answer is simple. Personal responsibility. And that responsibility belongs to  both trainers and amateurs alike....

Over the last two decades, the Tennessee Walking Horse has reached an extraordinary level of quality. The modern show horse is more talented, more athletic, and more polished than ever before. Training programs have advanced. Horsemanship has improved. Presentation is stronger across the board. But with that progress comes an uncomfortable question we must be willing to ask: Have we made the Tennessee Walking Horse so expensive that we are unintentionally inhibiting new growth? Smaller Shows,...

At Spencer Benedict Stables, we believe the future of the Tennessee Walking Horse is brighter than ever—but it’s up to all of us to...