As Some Doors Close, More Will Open

The closing of one door, the opening of another... We've all heard this expression. Today, it applies to our gaited horses. As many on this page know, GAIT, Inc was born of the work of many people in the Sound Horse movement tied to the TN Walking Horse. Many of us have supported the sound TN Walking Horse through local shows, public appearances, and local club activities. Today, I take a moment to remember a club that was instrumental in what eventually became my passion for the TN Walking Horse and the gaited horse in general.

In December, I was made aware that the foundation Walking Horse club in Maryland, Plantation Walking Horses of Maryland, was shutting it's doors. But as that door closed, as the saying goes, another opened. The club voted to disburse the majority share of the remaining treasury to GAIT, Inc. so that we could take up the task where they left off in promoting the gaited horse.

The club was founded in the early '80s with promotion of the "Plantation" walking horse, what most of us now simply refer to as the flat-shod walking horse, at it's core. I was just 16 when the club was formed, and I sat at the meetings as names were picked. I was a hunter/jumper rider - I knew nothing about gaited horses, but my Aunt, Louise Semancik, had recently bought a TN Walking Horse and I was tasked with showing her horse from time to time. The club was founded with the principles of promoting the sound TN Walking Horse and providing fun activities for members & educating the public about the breed. All of which they did, very successfully, for a LONG time.

While it took me another almost 20 years from those initial club meetings to move away from the trotting horses, Hunter/Jumper and later, Dressage, eventually, move I did and reentered the gaited world with gusto, both feet in. It was through the PWH of MD that I rediscovered the gaited horse, attending events, shows, awards banquets, trail rides, public appearances, etc. I reformed friendships with many of the folks who were in those initial meetings, and new members that had come in over the years. It was through the PWH of MD that my passion for the breed and for the gaited horses was lighted and of that passion, GAIT, Inc. was eventually born.

Like all things in life, however, the club aged, the economy had peaks and valleys, interest in the gaited horses had peaks and valleys, and in the end, there simply weren't enough active members to carry the club on further, and the very difficult decision was made by club and board members to dissolve the club.

But with their closing, they leave a legacy to the gaited horse to a group of individuals who will continue to carry the torch. Folks like https://www.facebook.com/gaitedfanatic/ who promotes the versatility of the sound gaited horse, organizations like All American Walking Horse Association, who is fighting the good fight politically, GAIT, Inc. who continues to fight for the gaited horse, countless feet on the ground, young trainers and so many more organizations. Individuals who will continue the work that the folks who started the work through clubs like PWH of MD.

GAIT, Inc. was gifted with funds from the closing of the treasury. We are honored that we have been entrusted to continue the work that so many who love our gaited horses started so many years ago. A portion of those funds will be used to continue where PWH of MD left off, with the promotion of the sound, natural gaited horse. Let's face it, I would love nothing better than to never have to rescue another at-risk gaited horse. And positive promotion of the gaited breeds is the best way possible to put GAIT, Inc. out of the rescue business - which in my opinion, would be the most miraculous thing to happen. If every gaited horse had a home, we would no longer need to exist - and what a wonderful world that would be. By promoting the gaited horse, we open doors to adopters and keep other horses out of risk in the first place.

Be sure to visit GAIT, Inc. as we appear at Horse World Expo March 1-4, 2018 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. We will be set up in conjunction with the PA Pleasure Walking Horse Assoc. in booth B1. This will be one of the many ways we will continue the work that the folks at PWH of MD has started. Opening doors to the passion of new folks, helping those that already have gaited horses through knowledge and resources and putting amazing riding horses into the hands of folks that will then share their new-found passion for the gaited horse with many others.

So here's a salute to a group of individuals who had a vision, a passion and a goal. Your goals were met time and time again, your passions shared and although the club is gone, the passion, vision and goals are still alive and well in the people you ALL inspired for over 30 years!

~~Denise Parsons, President, Gait, Inc.~~