Priscilla Presley pulls support for Tennessee walking horse trophy named after Graceland

Priscilla Presley, the widow of rock legend Elvis Presley, has decided that she no longer wants to support a walking hose trophy and tournament in Tennessee, citing the questionable treatment of the horses.

Presley first supported the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in 1983, when she went to the Shelbyville event to see the last horse her husband bought be shown. According to the Tennessean, she also donated a trophy named after Graceland, Elvis’ iconic home. She told the paper that she was unaware that they still used the trophy 30 years later and wants to take it back.

“Graceland isn’t going to support this, knowing what we know now,” she told the paper on Tuesday. “We want that trophy back.”

She added that she can no longer support it “when inhumane methods are used on these horses. I can’t support it.”

UPI reports that Presley still owns two walking horses at Graceland, but has raised questions about how the ones shown are treated by trainers.

Controversial tall horseshoes and ankle chains are used by trainers to accentuate a walking horse’s unique gait. There is currently a bill in Congress that aims to ban the use of them.

Mike Inman, the CEO of the Tennessee competition told the Tennessean that he hasn’t received Presley’s request yet. He hopes to speak to her soon and change her mind.

image: Wikimedia Commons

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