The officers were: Mary Ruth Motes, president; Anita Crowder, vice-president; and Janet Mason, secretary-treasurer. The goal for 1971: raise money for the Trainers' Association. A brief timeline follows:
1974: "Get the Habit" was started.
1975: scholarship program began
1977: Auxiliary gained independence from Walking Horse Trainers' Association, thus creating a change in the bylaws to r
ead, "To aid the Walking Horse Trainers' Association and promote the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry." Changing the name of this group to Walking Horse Trainers Auxiliary also allowed members who were not married to horse trainers. There were 63 active members.
1979: “Blue Ribbon Cookbook” was published
1981: WHTAux held its first Roast in honor of Mr. Vic Thompson
1982: WHTAux were given a class of their own at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. The ladies also purchased a storage barn, “The Auxiliary Barn”, which was placed on the Celebration grounds.
1984: Auxiliary Equitation was initiated to promote excellence in riding
1985: Money Tree Classic became a major fund raiser for the Auxiliary.
1988: Walking Horses Overcoming Obstacles (WHOO) was established to promote and the donation of funds and animals to organizations wish to use the Tennessee Walking Horse in therapeutic riding programs.
1989: Darcy Gallagar Newman became the first Auxiliary Hi-Point Member Award
1990: Dr. Dee Cantrell received the first Member of the Year recognition
Also in 1990, TWHNC dedicated the last Friday night of that event to WHTAux, starting a long honored tradition of “Auxiliary Night
1992: Auxiliary published a second cookbook entitled "Something Special." "Women at Work" was started this same year.
1993: Auxiliary co-sponsored, with the Celebration, the Hall of Fame and the grand opening of the Walking Horse Museum.
1997: Auxiliary began a building fund for the Trainers' Association.
1999: Celebration Auxiliary Class Winner recognition given at the December Convention of Walking Horse Trainers. Auxiliary also developed and printed a stylish brochure, outlining our mission, projects, etc.
2000: the first Equitation Hi-Point Awards were presented in the youth and adult categories. Each year Walking Horse Trainers Auxiliary has continued to move forward in terms of accomplishments, commitment to industry and to community.