LEWISBURG, Tenn. — The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association
(TWHBEA) held its International Board of Directors Semi-Annual Meeting on May 24, 2025. The
official breed registry holds two meetings annually — one during the Celebration’s Spring Fun
Show and the other at the December banquet and meetings.

Numbers are always a focus at TWHBEA. This year, membership currently sits at 4,822
members, down 3% from the same time last year. Registrations are at 824 this year compared
to 846 last year, but when looking at a five-year comparison, registrations are up 12%. Transfers
continue to be strong and are up 8% over last year, with 1,459 transfers already completed.
TWHBEA has worked successfully to increase transfers, which in turn helps keep the registry up
to date.

International growth of the membership continues to be a trend. Canada now has 89 members,
enough for its own director. With 83 members, Israel also now has enough to have its own
director. Three new countries have at least one new member. Germany is up to 90 members
and will move to having its own director after the current director from Germany serving
Region 1 fulfills her term.

Each state or region with 80 members is entitled to one director and can elect an additional
director for every 80 members. Kentucky gained enough new members to add an additional
director, bringing its total to 10 directors.
Income at TWHBEA stands at $462,056, which is above the budgeted income of $425,000.
Membership and registry income makes up $306,425 of that total, stressing the importance of
those two areas at TWHBEA. TWHBEA made $28,482 from the Tennessee Walking Horse license
plate revenue from the state — an area that continues to be a great source of additional
income.

Total expenses at TWHBEA were $427,830, leaving a net operating income of $34,225, which is
more than $25,000 better than the budgeted number. Of the expenses, $192,236 is for
personnel. The second-largest category of expense lies in administrative expenses, which total
$116,267. Horse card revenue, which is collected by TWHBEA but not reflected in the numbers
above, stands at $36,225. It’s important to note that these numbers are through April.

A highlighted bylaw change, which relates to the election of directors, states, “Each potential
director must have had at least one horse duly registered with the Association as owned for a
period of one year, commencing as of Aug. 1 of the preceding year to be elected, and must
keep at least one horse continuously registered throughout the duration of the election period
and the term. A lease does not qualify.”