The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Awards Committee is pleased to announce the following individuals will be recognized at the AMHA annual convention, which will take place February 29-March 3, 2012 in Orlando, Florida.

Man and Woman of the Year Awards honor those individuals for their continued support of the breed. This year’s honorees are David Rand of Maine and Elaine Galatz of Nevada.

Barbara Irvine of New York will be awarded the Cecil Brown Memorial Sportsmanship Award, which is given to a Morgan exhibitor who has displayed outstanding sportsmanship.

Mike Goebig of Pennsylvania was selected by his peers to be the recipient of the AMHA Professional Award.

Inducted into AMHA’s Hall of Fame are Jane Blue of Florida and George Arnold, late of California.

The Breeders’ Hall of Fame honors a breeder(s) who has produced Morgans that have had a significant impact on the breed. This year’s honorees are Burkland Farm of Massachusetts, Cabot Morgans of Maine, and Raintree Morgans of Indiana.

The Golden Reins Award is given to a Morgan professional who has a 30-year career in training or instruction. Cheryl Marcelonis of New Hampshire, Jackie Ross of New York, and Scott Thacker of North Carolina will receive this special honor.

Byron Singer of Indiana will be honored for his outstanding contributions to the Morgan Youth program as the Youth Person of the Year.

Two Morgans will receive special recognition for their work with people with disabilities. This year’s honorees are Merlin Tris Don of the Rose of Sharon Equestrian School in Maryland; and Barr’s Lucky Lady, owned by Kris and Al Breyer of Illinois.

HVK Courageous Flaire, Kickapoo Kracker Jax, and the driving team of Batton’s Regency and Batton’s Oak-A-Motion will be inducted into AMHA’s Show Horse Hall of Fame.

These honorees will be recognized before the Morgan community for their longtime support and dedication to the breed on Friday, March 2. The 2012 AMHA Convention is full of many fun Morgan events. Seminars focused on sport, marketing, and equine health are just some of the highlights that will celebrate the Morgan breed in Orlando.

Reservations can be booked now. For more information on room rates and convention details, please go to www.morganhorse.com/association/annual_convention/ or call AMHA at (802) 985-4944. Convention goers are eligible to reduced rates at the Hilton

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.