The Auxiliary congratulated Freda Dean on being voted the 2002 Member of the Year. Dean was presented the award along with a silver Auxiliary logo pendant from Richard’s Jewelry. The Presentation was made at the annual Trainers banquet and was presented by outgoing President Dee Cantrell.

The election of new officers took precedence at the December meeting. Freda Dean was elected to serve as President of the organization. Ashlea Wheelon will continue to serve as the 1st vice president, and Beth Young accepted the role of the 2nd vice president. Joyce Green will take the secretary position, and Jada Callaway will serve as the treasurer. The officers welcome any ideas or suggestions.

The much sought after Highpoint awards were presented at the December meeting. The coveted Gold High Point Award ended in a tie. Beth Young and Joyce Green were the winners for 2002. The Silver Award went to Jill Derickson. Stacy Blackburn received the Bronze Award. Congratulations were extended for show-ring successes in the 2002 season.

Each year the Walking Horse trainers Association honors individuals that they value as supporters by inducting them into the Friendship Club. This years inductees included the Walking Horse Trainers Auxiliary which has always supported the Trainers Association. The Auxiliary was very honored to be recognized and inducted into the Friendship Club. Cyndi McConnell was individually honored as she was chosen as an inductee for 2002.

In 2002 the Auxiliary donated $5500 of the proceeds from the Money Tree Classic to various therapeutic riding programs. The auxiliary is proud to support these programs through the project Walking Horses Overcoming Obstacles (WHOO). Each of the programs utilize walking horses during therapy. Facilities that received donations included Saddle Up of Franklin, Tenn., Good Shepard located in Warm Springs, Georgia, and Great Strides of Shelbyville, Tenn.

Beth Thomas was elected again to chair the scholarship project. During the December meeting it was passed that three scholarships would be awarded during 2003. The All Around, Need Based, and the Auxiliary Member Scholarship will each be $2500. The application will be available this summer. For an application, please send your name and address to WHT Auxiliary, P.O. Box 61, Shelbyville, TN 37162.

Chairpersons have been named to serve on committees. Beth Thomas and Beth Young will chair the Money Tree Classic Horse Show. The Fun Show Silent Auction will be chaired by Judy Young and Dale Martin. Beth Thomas will be in charge of the Scholarship Committee. The Trainers’ building Project will be under the guidance of Dee Cantrell. The Sunshine Committee includes Kathy Thompson and Susan Coleman. Other committee chairs include Candy Green in charge of Great Strides, WHOO chair is Beverly Greenup, Dee Cantrell will organize the Grand Prize Giveaway, Get the Habit will be run by Jill Derickson, the Legislative Committee Chair is Iris Schuman, Marguerite Thomas will chair the Equitation Classes, and the Celebration Dog Show will be organized by Sheilia Groover and Brenda Upton.

The Auxiliary continues to thank Don and Lucky Collins for the generous donation of Mud Slide Slim. He continues to be a favorite breeding stallion and his stud fees provide financial support to handicapped riders. “Mud” was officially retired at the 1990 Celebration and stands at stud at Sand Creek Farm. For breeding information contact Patti Gray at (931) 684-9558.