JUNE 1995 BACK ISSUE

Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 6/1/95; 10:00:00 AM.

Equitana '95: A big success for TWHBEA

Tennessee Walking Horses played an important role at the world's largest equine event, Equitana '95, held in Essen Germany, March 4 -12," stated Bob Cherry, Executive Director of TWHBEA. "The mass of people and their interest in the Tennessee Walking Horse exceeded our expectations," he commented. He further stated, "We have been able to agressively market our breed on an international basis because of supple mental funding received from a government grant through the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA)."

Cherry reported that Equitana '95 featured over 250 horses representing 50 breeds from 36 countries. Over 25 acres of equine exhibits were housed under the same roof and attended by more than half a million people.

During the ten day event, Tennessee Walking Horses were presented three times each day. Each breed was scheduled to exhibit once daily in the 5,000 seat main arena. This performance consisted of twelve European-owned TWHs and featured one World Champion plantation horse that was shipped from the United States for this event. Set to music with a German script, the performance could only be described as picture perfect and heart warming, especially when the American flag was presented followed by the Tennessee flag. To show the versatility of the Tennessee Walking Horse, the exhibitors wore both English, Western and trail attire. The lead rider rode side-saddle and was beautifully attired in a long dress and matching hat.

The small exhibit ring, located in the USA hall and near our booth, allowed us to exhibit twice each day. Trainers Russ Keyser, Lonnie Kuehn, Diane Lashoones and Jake Price brought two or three horses to this area and exhibited. One of our European TWHBEA members would explain the gaits and talk to the crowd of people that gathered for a glimpse at the TWH. We were the only breed that let the public ride each day. This was a hit with the crowd and certainly good publicity for the breed.

Our booth was a replica of the TWHBEA National Headquarters building at Lewisburg, Tennessee! The booth was well-staffed each day by TWHBEA European members and supported by American Export Team Members, Bob Cherry - Executive Director, Johnnie Bolick - Marketing Coordinator and Neika Williams - Executive Committee Member. The large display contained color photographs showing the versatility of the TWH. A continous running video caught the attention of thousands of visitors. Promotional brochures prepared in German were also available. Numerous names and addresses were gathered as visitors signed our guest register. Trade leads will be developed from the list.

Royal's Rolls Royce, the American representative of the TWH, was purchased the last day of Equitana '95 by Horst Kolbe from Berggassee, Germany. This beautiful sorrel gelding will continue to be an ambassador of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed in Germany.

The grand finale of the ten day event was a presentation of all the breeds. Our thirteen member TWH exhibit team was at its best for the final performance on Sunday afternoon. After all breeds had exhibited, the managers and staff of Equitana closed the show by each selecting a horse to ride or drive into the main arena under the spotlight. The announcer chose to ride the Shire. The number two man drove a five team Lippizaner. Do you want to guess what breed the number one man selected? Christian Muller-Ehrenberg selected a TWH and rode to a cheering crowd and standing ovation to close this outstanding equine event!

Reprinted with permission from the May 1995 issue of the Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse.