Tennessee Walking Horse Association of Oklahoma
TWHAO History

Welcome to the Tennessee Walking Horse Association of Oklahoma Inc. (TWHAO). This club was founded in 1974 by Calvin Gene Raines of Catoosa, Oklahoma, to promote interest in and knowledge of the Tennessee Walking Horse in the State of Oklahoma. The first meeting of the group was held in Tulsa and attended by about 30 people from all over Oklahoma. Among those present were Mr. Rains, Sharon Braly, Amanda Nichols, Charles and Diane Bell, Norman Bunyard, Dr. Ann Kent, Bob & Ann Kuykendall, Jack Shipe, Rochelle Shipe Hart and Harry Evans. Bi-laws were adopted and Gene Raines was elected as the President and the first Oklahoma Director to the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA). Amanda Nichols was elected as the Secretary.

Gene Raines served as the Oklahoma Director to TWHBEA for two terms. Oklahoma Directors serving after Gene Raines included Carol Branstetter, Pam Gibbs and currently, Ann Kuykendall. Other early TWHAO members included Mac Braly (who is still our attorney), Mary Ben Marshall, Dr. and Mrs. Rafael Rigual, Dr. and Mrs. Bob McCloy, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Branstetter, and many others. Those who have served as President are Bob Kuykendall, Carol Branstetter, Cindy Warnock, Amanda Nichols, Ann Kuykendall, Jacque Martin, Ken Broostin, Linda Bracken, Stuart Gibbs, Ed Jones, Nikki Morgan, Cecil Cipes, Laura Kirk and Mark Wolf.

The club sponsors the annual Spring Jubilee Charity Open Gaited Horse Show for sound gaited horses, usually held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during May. Members also support and participate successfully in other area horse shows. Several pleasure trail rides are held each year throughout Oklahoma. TWHAO also sponsors clinics and “Hey Days”. In times past during the hot part of the summer TWHAO members have floated the Illinois River. The annual meeting and banquet is held in late November when officers and board members are elected.

In the early years, the TWHAO formed a drill team consisting of six ladies riding six Tennessee Walking Horse Stallions, the “Okie Belles and their Tennessee Studs”. The team was a big hit when they performed at horse shows and other events throughout the state. TWHAO members have participated in many parades and exhibitions over the years including the Festival of the Horse in Oklahoma City on two different occasions. Good Friday K. (Oklahoma’s first Supreme Versatility Champion) was invited to represent the Tennessee Walking Horse breed at the parade of champions also held in Oklahoma City.

TWHAO’s history includes some very special members who have won very special awards! TWHAO’s Youth Superior Versatility Champions are: My Prince Charles with his lady Sarah Jones and Madelyne’s Moonlight Sonata with her lady Madelyn Jones. TWHAO Adult Supreme Versatility Champions are: Good Friday K. and Ann Kuykendall, Friday’s Marauder K. and Ann Kuykendall, Good Friday’s Cookieshine and Ann Kuykendall, Marauder’s Solitaire and Joey Jones, Good Friday’s Hope and Ann Kuykendall. These are TWHBEA national awards – the highest that a Versatility horse can achieve. These honors are tributes to the horses and their owners and are testaments to the versatility of the breed and the talent of their owner/trainers. The TWHAO is proud of its members and their giant accomplishments.

The TWHAO is embarking on a new outreach journey to gaited horse owners with the advent of the TWHAO website. The calendar of events will include all gaited horse events throughout the state of Oklahoma and surrounding states. To promote increased participation among the gaited horse community, e-mails will be sent out alerting gaited horse owners throughout the state of upcoming gaited horse events. If you would like to be on the Gaited Horse Network distribution list, please submit your e-mail address on the Calendar page of this website.

TWHAO members have had a lot of fun over the years and that’s what it’s all about – having fun with your horse and enjoying good times with good friends. The statement is often made “If you ride a Tennessee Walking Horse today, you’ll own one tomorrow!” Won’t you join us in all the fun?