walking Horse Owners Association 

The first International Championship Show was held in 1979 at the Old Fort Park in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The show was the creation of the newly formed Walking Horse Owners Association (WHOA).

The founders of WHOA realized that for any organization to succeed, it not only needed a purpose, but it also needed to sponsor activities in order to demonstrate and support that purpose.  Thus, the International Championship Show was conceived.  Proceeds from the International are still the primary means of supporting the programs and activities of WHOA.

The support for that first show was very encouraging. Most of the top show horses in the industry participated that first year. One of the biggest supporters was the Kentucky Walking Horse Association. In fact, the International Grand Champion that first year was “The Pusher CG” owned by Joe Dietz and this roan stallion went on to be crowned the World Grand Champion.

Over the next few years participation in this prestigious event grew. Year after year, winners of the International went on to win consistently at the Celebration, where ''the best meet the best.'' In fact, several International Grand Championship winners have gone on to capture the World Grand Championship in Shelbyville, TN. These winners include The Pusher CG, Pride's Jubilee Star, Dark Spirit's Rebel, The Black Night Shade, Main Power, Santana’s El Nino, and The Coach.

The men & women who started the International Championship Show poured thousands of dollars of their personal funds into the endeavor and many great horses from throughout the nation helped to give this new show an enthusiastic start. In a short time, it was recognized as one of the most prestigious shows in this industry, second only to the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.

Pleasure horses have always played an important role in the life of the International Walking Horse Show. The International is proud to have been instrumental in the development of the Pleasure Horse Division and the popularity it enjoys today. Exhibitors from throughout the nation recognize the International as the leading Championship Show for the Pleasure Tennessee Walking Horse.

The change in the physical location of the International over the years has some real significance. From its beginning in 1979 at Old FortIn the early 1990's MTSU was awarded -- through the estate of John C. and Mary Miller of Lewisburg, Tennessee and Anchorage, Alaska -- a gift of twenty million plus dollars for the construction of a horse facility in Murfreesboro, TN. The Millers were noted organizers and supporters of the Walking Horse Owners' Association and the International Grand Championship Walking Horse Show. Following Mary's death, this generous donation was used to construct the state-of-the art facility known as Tennessee Miller Coliseum in memory of her late husband who died in 1984. Park in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the show moved to the Livestock Center of Middle Tennessee State University in 1988 where it enjoyed a large indoor facility for many years.