The Reese L. Smith, Jr. Distinguished Service Award was created to honor the memory of Mr. Smith, a long-time Tennessee Walking Horse enthusiast and philanthropist of the industry.
Mr. Smith’s immeasurable service to the walking horse breed and specifically the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association, was always above and beyond the call of duty.
This award is presented by TWHBEA to the individual who best exemplifies the same dedication, commitment, and personal involvement of Reese L. Smith, Jr.
The 2002 award recognizes a man who has served TWHBEA in a variety of important capacities over the years. He was influential in the computerization of all the registration and transfer records and making them available to the membership. This, of course, ultimately led to the creation of iPEDs, TWHBEA’s online registry access system. Also, tonight’s honoree was influential in developing the current fee system which included making the Voice Magazine a part of the dues package. This ultimately led to a major increase in membership.
Tonight’s honoree also encouraged the late Tom Bohl, who was serving as vice president of the Horse Show division at the time, to restructure the National Futurity, which ultimately tripled the amount of prize money awarded.
This individual was also instrumental in the development of TWHBEA’s Horse Show Records and other important measures – most notably bloodtyping and parentage verification.
He served three three-year terms on the TWHBEA Board of Directors, with multiple stints on the Executive Committee. In fact, he was on the Executive Committee that hired Bob Cherry in 1991. He also served a year as TWHBEA President.
In addition to his TWHBEA service, he served multiple tenures on the NHSC board, most notably as the chairman of an active and meaningful Judges’ Committee.
It’s important to note that during his years of dedicated volunteer service in a leadership role, he often sacrificed his popularity, his pocketbook, his personal business and his family.
Ladies and gentlemen, we present the 2002 Reese L. Smith, Jr. Distinguished Service Award to Mr. Walt Chism.
Past winners of this prestigious award include Dr. DeWitt Owen, Dr. Nathan Thomas, Dr. Tom Vaughn, Tom Bohl, Tom Blankenship, John Lindahl, Harrell Brawner and Charles Gleghorn.
Congratulations, Walt.