For more than nine decades, the Tennessee Walking Horse has been an integral part of the agricultural industry in the Volunteer State. Known for its heritage and unique gait, to say the Tennessee Walking Horse provides an experience like no other would be quite the understatement. That’s why in the spring of 1935 a group of owners and admirers of what were known as plantation walking horses got together and formed what is known today as the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA).
“There was a meeting in Lewisburg at the old Wallace House,” said Bobby Beech. “My grandfather, Wood Beech, was at that meeting to organize this association.”
Ninety years later, the Beech family is still involved and continues to be proud of the breed like so many are across the state. And it’s because of this strong legacy and the characteristics of the breed itself that the association is as strong as it is today. Still located in Lewisburg, TWHBEA has continued their mission of breed registry and pedigrees and is proud to have had more than half a million horses registered since they began in 1935.
“You look back and I feel like they set us up in a way to succeed and set us up with a vision, but I just wonder if they realized how big it would be,” said Mark Farrar, TWHBEA chief executive officer. “We’ve got horses in all 50 states and in 24 different countries, and we’ve registered more than 600,000 in the last 90 years. It’s just phenomenal.”
What else is phenomenal is the way the horse has become a part of the state’s legacy as well. That’s in large part thanks to Gov. Frank Clement in 1965 who got a resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to name the Tennessee Walking Horse the official state horse.
Longtime owner and active member of TWHBEA, Steve Smith of Williamson County, believes the breed is a favorite for all ages. He says, “Last year’s Celebration, we had people over 90 years old and numbers of children under seven years old who showed. It’s a docile, easy, nice horse.”
Because of those qualities of the breed mixed with strong leadership from the association through the years, TWHBEA’s story and the legacy of the Tennessee Walking Horse is one worth sharing. From its grassroots beginnings to a global presence, the Tennessee Walking Horse is and will continue to be a spirited part of Tennessee’s number one industry. To learn more about TWHBEA and the Tennessee Walking Horse, visit twhbea.com. And of course, mark your calendars for the 87th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration August 20-30, 2025, in Shelbyville.
