History

(California Celebration, 1969, photo courtesy of Voice Magazine)

  The Tennessee Walking Horse Association of California was formed in the late 1980s after combining two previous organizations, the Pacific Coast Walking Horse Association (PCWHA) and the Tennessee Walking Horse Exhibitors Association, into one.

Today, TWHAC offers yearly shows and awards while advancing the breed as well as all show and pleasure divisions of the versatile Tennessee Walking Horse.

History of the Breed

“A light horse breed founded in middle Tennessee, the Tennessee Walking Horse is a composition of Narragansett and Canadian Pacer, Standardbred, Thoroughbred, Morgan, and American Saddlebred stock. Originally bred as a utility horse, this breed is an ideal mount for riders of all ages and levels of experience. The breed easily adapts to English or Western gear, and its calm, docile temperament combined with naturally smooth and easy gaits insure the popularity of the Tennessee Walking Horse as the “world’s greatest show, trail, and pleasure horse.” – Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association

“In 1885, a cross between a stallion called Allendorf, from the Hambletonian family of trotters, and Maggie Marshall, a Morgan mare, produced a black colt with a white blaze, off hind coronet and near hind sock, Black Allan, foal of 1886. He was later to be chosen by the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ Association as the foundation sire of the Tennessee Walking Horse and designated as Allan F-1…it was a cross between Allan and the Tennessee Pacer that produced today’s Tennessee Walking Horse.” – International Museum of the Horse

1939 saw the crowning of the first Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Champion,
Strolling Jim

“First Grand Champion Walking Horse of the World, Strolling Jim and his illustrious career made famous the names of the Tennessee Walking Horse and the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration throughout the country.   The most rapid growth of the breed took place during the years when Jim was in his prime.” – Walkers West