In a major victory for Tennessee Walking Horse owners, trainers, and the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, a federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from enforcing several of its controversial inspection rules at the upcoming 2025 Celebration.
Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk of the Northern District of Texas granted the injunction in Gould v. USDA, finding that the plaintiffs – horse owners Tom Gould and Ann Mills, along with the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Association – are likely to succeed in their challenge to three USDA rules:
• The “No-Showback Rule,” which barred horses disqualified on one day from competing again during a multi-day show.
• The “Scar Rule,” which mandated disqualification based on criteria even when a horse is not sore.
• The inspection and disqualification process, which provided no pre-disqualification review or appeal, leaving horse owners without due process protections.
In his ruling, the judge held that USDA likely exceeded its authority under the Horse Protection Act and that the agency’s procedures failed to provide due process. The Court also recognized the irreparable harm caused to horse owners and the Celebration when horses are unfairly disqualified, citing both the loss of property rights and the significant financial and reputational damage to the show.
The injunction applies directly to the plaintiffs in the case, including the Celebration itself, and will prevent USDA from enforcing these rules against them at this year’s 87th Annual Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennessee, scheduled for August 20–30, 2025.
