Nearly 300 members of the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) traveled to the Bluegrass State of Kentucky, February 17-20 to attend its annual convention. Between seminars, auctions, and farm tours in Lexington, they also took time to honor those who have dedicated their time and devotion to the Morgan breed on the evening of Friday, February 19.

Man of the Year and Woman of the Year awards honor those individuals for their continued support of the breed throughout the year. This year’s honorees were Roger Barricklow of Sardinia, Ohio, and Connie Barker of Carmichael, California.

Nicole Nicholson of Manhattan, Illinois, was awarded the Cecil Brown Memorial Sportsmanship Award, which is given to a Morgan exhibitor who has displayed outstanding sportsmanship throughout the past year.

Inducted into AMHA’s Hall of Fame were Elaine Galatz of Las Vegas, Nevada; the late M. A. “Bud” Hanson of Lunenberg, Ontario, Canada; and Nancy Jewell of Post Falls, Idaho. These individuals have promoted the breed on a national level for many years.

The Breeders’ Hall of Fame honored a breeder(s) who has produced Morgans that have had a significant impact on the breed. This year’s honorees were Cedar Creek Farm in Perrysburg, Ohio; Tara Farm of Raleigh, North Carolina; and Tennessee Valley Morgans of Knoxville, Tennessee.

The Golden Reins Award is given to a Morgan professional who has a 30-year career in training or instruction. Harold Angell of Las Vegas, Nevada; Pierre Loiselle of Hemlock, Michigan; and Lynn and Kathy Peeples of Oxford, New Jersey, received this special recognition.

Claudia Grimes of Wooster, Ohio, was honored for her outstanding contributions to the Morgan youth program as the AMHA Youth Person of the Year.

Christine Harb of Plaistow, New Hampshire, was the recipient of the Youth Achievement Award, which is presented to a deserving youth member for his or her commitment to the Morgan horse and community.

The Morgan International Award was given to Suzy Stafford of Bear, Delaware, for her competition at the world pony championship last summer.

AMHA’s Professional Award, is an honor nominated by a professional’s peers. This year’s recipient was Steve Davis of New Haven, Vermont.

Two Morgans were cited for their outstanding work with people with disabilities as the AMHA Therapy Horse of the Year. Janlees’ Philharmonica and Lenawee Madonna both were honored.

Founded in 1909, the American Morgan Horse Association is a non-profit organization serving more than 50,000 Morgan horse owners, breeders, exhibitors, and enthusiasts throughout the United States. AMHA serves as a parent organization to more than 90 recognized Morgan horse clubs and national service organizations.

For more information on America’s original horse breed, contact the American Morgan Horse Association, Inc., 122 Bostwick Road, Shelburne, Vermont 05482; (802) 985-4944; www.morganhorse.com.