More controversy for Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration

By LEON ALLIGOOD Staff Writer - THE TENNESSEAN

The man who has led the premier event of the Tennessee Walking Horse world for the last two decades has left his post without explanation a year after the event was engulfed in scandal.

The sudden departure of Ron Thomas as chief executive officer of the Shelbyville-based Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration has left horse owners and fans wondering. "I don't know what happened and wouldn't know where to look to find out," said Link Webb of Lewisburg, one of the sport's leading trainers. He said Thomas took "the Celebration a long way."

The annual event, which usually ends with the naming of a world grand champion Tennessee walker, is trying to restore its image after the 2006 event was shut down early amid allegations of animal abuse and cheating.

Thomas did not return phone calls to his Murfreesboro home Wednesday. Neither did Celebration board Chairman David L. Howard or a handful of other board members.

Since 1984, Thomas had led the 11-day show that annually brings thousands of visitors to Shelbyville and millions of dollars to the local economy.

The Walking Horse Report, a leading industry publication owned by Howard, reported Wednesday morning that Thomas had resigned.

Midafternoon Wednesday, the Celebration issued a news release that stated the longtime CEO "will no longer serve in that position," but offered no other details about his leaving.

Ray Gilmer, a trainer from Toone, Tenn., south of Jackson, said he did not see Thomas' departure coming.

"I think he was good for us," noted Gilmer, whose operation is called Falcon Ridge Farms. "He was a good guy. He served the horse industry for many years. He wanted to do what was best for us."

Allan Callaway of Callaway Stables in Shelbyville didn't see it coming either.

"It's a surprise to me. I thought during the time he was there that the Celebration was doing fine. He took the Celebration to a new level. He will be missed," Callaway said.

Thomas served 23 years

Ron Thomas left a career in the insurance business about 23 years ago to become the executive secretary of the Celebration. His title was later changed to CEO.

His tenure brought explosive growth in the event, both in the number of entries and in attendance. Thomas was inducted into the Celebration's Hall of Fame in 2004.

But he also served during a period of controversy, as horse inspectors clamped down in recent years on the mistreatment of horses through a practice known as soring. In some cases, trainers used chemicals or hoof devices to make their horses raise their forelegs high er, creating the "big lick" gait for which the breed is known.

In 2006, the Celebration's final champion class was halted before a world grand champion could be named, because a majority of the horses were disqualified in an anti-soring inspection. Thomas survived that controversy and was at the helm this year as a 2007 champion was named.

No mention was made Wednesday of who might be named as an interim leader for the organization.