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Executive Director Ron Thomas and President Marty Irby presented Mr. Bill Harlin with the NPLC Distinguished Service Award.
5/5/11
Bill Harlin Presented With Distinguished Service Award
Lewisburg TN - The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) is proud to announce that Bill Harlin was presented with the National Pedigreed Livestock Council (NPLC) Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Harlin was selected to receive this award because of his outstanding contributions to the Tennessee Walking Horse Breed and to TWHBEA. He received the award Tuesday, May 3rd at the NPLC Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. TWHBEA Executive Director Ron Thomas was honored to make the presentation.
Below is the tribute read at the presentation:
A witness to its formation, Bill Harlin has devoted his life to the betterment of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed. The eldest son of William Wirt Harlin, Sr., and Luella Leek Harlin, Bill grew up riding ponies over the hills of Franklin, Tennessee’s Harlinsdale Farm. A family endeavor from the start, Harlinsdale began to establish itself as a top Tennessee Walking Horse breeding farm shortly after the founding of the breed registry in 1935. In 1943, the farm became home to the stallion the would forever deem it legendary in the walking horse world – two-time World Grand Champion and Sire of the Century Midnight Sun.
From left to right, sons Wirt Harlin and Clay Harlin, Mr. Bill Harlin and Stallion Manager of Harlinsdale Farms Rocky Jones.
Since that time, due much to the efforts of Bill Harlin, Harlinsdale Farm has maintained its position as one of the top breeding facilities in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. Carefully preserving the bloodlines of greats such as Midnight Sun, Sun’s Delight D. and Pride Of Midnight, Harlinsdale has contributed to every facet of the breed for over 70 years. Bill Harlin has carried on in his father’s footsteps, standing such influential sires as Pride’s Genius, Gold Power and The Revelation and maintaining a band of broodmares unrivaled anywhere in the industry. Harlinsdale horses continue to be regulars in the winner’s circle at all of the breed’s top showcases including the National Futurity and The Celebration.
In addition to his efforts as a breeder, Bill Harlin has given generously of his time to the industry he loves. He is a three-term past president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Assocaition who was first elected to the Association’s Board of Directors in 1982. He served as Senior Vice President of the Association in 1984 and was elected President for 1985 and 1986. In 1988 he served as Administrative/Fiscal/Audit Vice President and in 1989 he was elected Enforcement Vice President. He returned to the presidency for 1993.
During his first two terms as President, the association expanded many of its programs. The computerization of all association records was completed and parentage verification through bloodtyping was instituted. During his third term the bloodtyping program was completed, the commemorative garden at Association headquarters was begun and TWHBEA began sponsoring youth weanling and yearling classes at the Celebration.
Throughout his terms as President and throughout his tenure on the board and executive committee, our honoree promoted respect and unity within the industry. He viewed the Association as the center from which all interests could be represented and supported.
A family man through and through, Bill Harlin and his late beloved wife Barbara instilled a love for the traditions of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry in each of their children. In fact, their son, Clay, followed his dad’s stellar example in service to the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association as a member of the board of directors and the executive committee. Bill is a proud grandfather of four and a resident of Green Hills, Tennessee. He continues to operate the family’s breeding program from his farm in College Grove, Tennessee.
It is with great pride that I present the 2011 National Pedigreed Livestock Council Distinguished Service Award to Mr. Bill Harlin.
For further details or information, please contact (931) 359-1574.
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