The Walking Horse Association of Alabama (WHAA) was formed as a non-profit organization in the 1960s to promote the breeding, owning and exhibiting of the Tennessee Walking Horse, particularly in the State of Alabama. The Tennessee Walking Horse is one of the most popular saddle or light horse breeds in the United States. Tennessee Walkers are versatile, gentle natured, athletic horses and are well known for their famous "flat walk" and "running walk" beautiful, gliding gaits, and their "rocking chair canter," a stylish, slow, and easy-to-seat canter, all of which have given the breed its fame. Today, Tennessee Walking Horses are exhibited throughout the United States by both professional and amateur riders. Tennessee Walking Horses show in "heavy-shod" performance, "light-shod" pleasure, carriage, western, and equitation classes and are exhibited by people of all ages and levels of equitation expertise. They are also popular mounts for trail riding and field trialing.

The WHAA currently has approximately 350 members and welcomes new applications for membership. The WHAA is dedicated to sponsoring top quality Tennessee Walking Horse shows and events within Alabama for fundraising to help promote our charity of choice which is currently Camp Smile-a-Mile, a camp for children with cancer.

The WHAA sponsors four horse shows each year. The Ladies' Auxiliary of the WHAA Show is held in April in Huntsville; the Summer Classic is held in June in Arab; the WHAA Charity Horse Show and Alabama Regional Futurity is held in August in Priceville; and the Alabama Jubilee (a 3-day event) is held in late October in Priceville.

WHAA also sponsors a Horse Preview at the beginning of each show season, in approximately February of each year. Members and visitors gather on a Saturday to watch horse exhibitions and bid on silent auction items, including cakes, pies, tack, and famous stud fees. Proceeds from this event are also are donated to Camp Smile-A-Mile.

Through all of these efforts, WHAA members generally raise approximately $30,000 to $40,000 annually to donate to charity.

We urge you to check our website calendar and consider visiting a show or event. Please ask questions, as Tennessee Walking Horse owners, breeders, trainers, and exhibitors enjoy nothing more than discussing these magnificent animals. We welcome you - come, enjoy, and get to know this amazing breed!