Lots of Morgan fun and excitement is planned for the 2013 American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Annual Convention. This annual gathering of Morgan members and enthusiasts will take place February 21-23 in Portland, Oregon, at The Benson Hotel. Registering early ensures special savings! The Benson Hotel is offering a special group rate to guests of the Convention; reserve your room by January 18 to take advantage of this discount. For those making their Convention registration before February 15, there is a savings of $50! And those who make their reservations by February 13 also are eligible for a special early bird drawing.

For those arriving in town early, consider attending the Early Bird Farm Tours, Wednesday, February 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. From 9-11, enjoy a Scandinavian breakfast at Scandia Morgan Horse Farm in St Helens, celebrating 40 years of breeding with the Morgan breed. A lunch of grilled salmon is on the menu at Northwest Morgans, a breeding facility known for fun, smiles, and awesome show horses in Hillsboro, from noon to 2 p.m. For dessert and to see some wonderful show prospects and champion Morgans, visit Keith Nelsen Training Stables in Oregon City from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Maps will be available at the Convention-enjoy just one or come to all three! To RSVP or for more information, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

The lineup of seminars for this year’s gathering is stellar. Dr. Marvin Hausman will give a presentation on the new therapeutic strategy to control and prevent colic; and Teri LeVine and Adrienne Raymond will present the realities of creating and marketing your business’s website. Mark Bollender is a nationally recognized horseman and is the country’s leading expert on Mountain Trail, Extreme Trail, and Competitive Trail. He will speak on Extreme Trail and Course and Court Building. Miriah Stuart will demonstrate thermal imaging, an infrared camera that assists in finding areas of inflammation and pain in an animal.

These exciting presentations are on top of other informative seminars, a tour to world champion Morgan farm, Illahee; the annual meeting of members; an evening when the breed’s top supporters are honored; and the annual Stallion Service Auction.

The Convention is open to all, AMHA membership is not required to attend the Convention!

AMHA TO RECOGNIZE 2012 AWARDEES AT ANNUAL CONVENTION

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Awards Committee is pleased to announce the following individuals will be recognized at the AMHA annual convention.

Man and Woman of the Year Awards honor those individuals for their continued support of the breed. This year’s honorees are Mike Goebig and Kathy Newcomb.

John Green will be awarded the Cecil Brown Memorial Sportsmanship Award, which is given to a Morgan exhibitor who has displayed outstanding sportsmanship.

Inducted into AMHA’s Hall of Fame are Rolland Bowers, Eleanore Mason, and Fred Nava.

The Breeders’ Hall of Fame honors breeders who have produced Morgans that have had a significant impact on the breed. This year’s honorees are Greentree Ranch, Roy El Farm, and Ridgewood Farm.

The Golden Reins Award is given to a Morgan professional who has had a 30-year career in training or instruction. Jim and Karen Avichouser, Vernee Barnett, Ann Woulfe Miller, and B J Schafer.

Harry Sebring was selected by his peers as the recipient of the Professional Award.

Mary Shappee and Gert Shuckhart will be honored for their outstanding contributions to the Morgan youth program as the Youth Persons of the Year.

Two Morgans will receive special recognition for their work with people with disabilities. This year’s honorees are Ragtime Amazing Grace and Charlestown Fairdawn.

Kim Germ-Cramer was selected as the recipient of the Morgan International Award for her years of Morgan involvement in Austria.

Trafalgar’s Daryl Hopson and Greg Ferguson are honored as the AMHA Promoters of the Year for their many years of going above and beyond in breed promotion.

Inducted into the Show Horse Hall of Fame this year are Crown Corinthian, Gladgay’s Promenette, Greentree Courtney, and Twin Pond Disco Kid.

We hope you will be able to join these worthy awardees when their longtime support and dedication are recognized before the Morgan community. Reservations can be booked now! For more information on room rates and Convention details, please visit www.morganhorse.com/association/annual_convention/

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.