Starting in 2011, the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Youth Activities that take place at the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse ShowR in Oklahoma City will see significant changes that will benefit the young people of the breed. A Youth Judging Workshop will be introduced and held in place of the traditional Youth Judging Contest. Also new this year are educational tours that will be open to the public.

“I’m so excited about this change for our youth,” said AMHA Youth Coordinator, Taylor Royals. “The Youth Judging Workshop really gives us a chance to focus on our youth already involved with Morgans and give them a fun and educational experience of their own.”

A Youth Judging Workshop will be held Friday, October 14, at 8:30 a.m. Open to AMHA Youth members only, there will be two age divisions and four classes will be judged ringside. Ribbons first through sixth will be awarded in each age division at the Youth Awards Banquet on Saturday, October 15.

Educational Tours will be held Wednesday, October 12 and Thursday, October 13 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. In addition to learning more about the Morgan breed and its versatility, tours will provide the opportunity for participants to learn more about careers in the equine industry, meet judges and professional trainers, and get a guided tour of the event, including the competition and behind the scenes in the barn. Open to the public, the tours are specially designed for local schools, groups, clubs of all kinds, and those who are home schooled.

Since 1973, the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse ShowR has represented the pinnacle of achievement in the Morgan horse world. More than 1,000 of the world’s finest Morgan horses from across the United States, Canada, Austria, and Great Britain are in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to compete in over 250 classes for $250,000-plus in prize money. For more information and updates on the Morgan Grand National, go to www.morgangrandnational.com .

To receive more information regarding the Youth Activities, contact Taylor Royals at (802) 985-4944 ext. 401, [email protected].

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., 4066 Shelburne Road, Suite 5, Shelburne, Vermont 05482; (802) 985-4944; www.morganhorse.com.