CENTERVILLE, Tenn. - Lions Club president and horse show chairman Gary Phillips announced today that the club has made a decision to postpone its annual horse show for one year.  “A lot of factors went into making this decision, which was not easy, by any means… especially since our horse show has been the club’s primary fundraising project for the past eight years,” said Phillips.

For the past three years, the Grinder’s Switch Walking Horse Classic has been held at the Maury County Park facility in Columbia, Tenn., the first weekend in June, just prior to the Columbia Spring Jubilee.  “In 2012, when we resume our horse show, it will, most likely, be at the same place and time,” continued Phillips. “We sincerely appreciate all of our sponsors, as well as the trainers and owners, for their support in the past and hope they will continue to support us in the future.”

Phillips further stated that the Centerville Lions Club is hopeful that the economy will improve as well as the business of showing within the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.  “Unfortunately, it has become increasingly difficult and confusing for those of us who know little or nothing about the business of showing horses to produce a quality horse show because of the various HIO inspection systems and the continuing complex involvement of the USDA. Having said that, we also believe that these conditions within the industry will greatly improve by the next horse show season and look forward to a great Grinder’s Switch Walking Horse Classic in 2012,” concluded Phillips.