Editor's Note:  The following statement was released by David Pruett.  Pruett, a director on the NHSC board, resigned from the National Horse Show Commission on August 18.  Pruett currently serves as President of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association.

On Monday, August 18, I resigned as a director of the National Horse Show Commission.  I intended to do this quietly and not distract from the upcoming National Celebration.  The NHSC has been a large part of my life the past several years and I’m proud of the accomplishments we have made, therefore my decision to resign is not one that I have taken lightly.  The last couple of years we have had the opportunity to be proactive and “do the right thing” willingly and not because we were forced to do so by outside groups or the media.  In my opinion, as of late, the NHSC has not taken this opportunity.  Decisions by the NHSC board and statements made in executive session have become public knowledge.  This may be common practice in the industry but not by me.

The NHSC faces important decisions at every meeting and needs people who have the time to give it the attention it deserves.  Right now my time is best spent in my efforts at TWHBEA.  I hope that my replacement at the NHSC will continue to give owners, and all of our disciplines, a strong voice and will be effective on their behalf.  I can assure you my love and devotion to this breed has not changed and I will always be a strong proponent of anything that protects our horse and moves our industry forward.