Vermont Governor Jim Douglas has proclaimed September to be "Morgan Horse Month" in Vermont, celebrating the famous breed that is also Vermont's State Animal. "I am glad to proclaim a month in honor of this magnificent animal, especially on the centennial anniversary of the founding of the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA)," Douglas said. "This is a fitting time to honor the State Animal, only days before the historic re-creation of the 1796 race between the breed's founding stallion and...

The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) has a TEAM CHA youth Horse Connection Reward Program for kids 15 years and younger. The participants keep track of their hours working with horses, whether they have them or not. They can count activities, such as taking riding lessons, watching non-fiction videos and reading non-fiction books about horses, grooming, cleaning stalls, cleaning tack, feeding and so on. As part of this membership, the youth also receive a quarterly newsletter full of...

Globalization has a special meaning for Oldenburg breeders and owners as an American breeder presented yet again the highest-priced horse at an Oldenburg Auction at the 70th Elite Anniversary Auction in Vechta, Germany, and Nancy Holowesko of Crosiadore Farm is featured in the international "Achievements of 2008" published by the Oldenburg Verband. The wonderful and powerful-moving approved stallion, Somerset, bred by Holly Simensen was the highest-priced horse at the 2009 Spring Elite Auction...

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) recently created a Show Horse Hall of Fame, which honors registered Morgans with three or more world champion titles, or if shown prior to 1973, registered Morgans with three or more Grand Champion titles. These horses names will be embossed on a plaque that will reside at the AMHA Headquarters. Inducted as the inaugural horses into this prestigious Hall of Fame are these champions from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s: Chasley Superman, Gay Dancer,...

Mark your calendars and register early for the Fifth International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot (ILC), November 6-8, 2009. Registration, program, presenter information, and exhibitor information is available online at www.laminitisconference.com . Who: Dr. James A. Orsini is the Director of the International Equine Conference (ILC) on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot. He is a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and Associate Professor of Surgery in the...

Six young competitors earned the American Morgan Horse Association's (AMHA) highest equestrian honors for their wins at the 2008 Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show, held October 4-11 at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. Sponsored in part by AMHA, this annual showcase brings together top finishers from horse shows from across the country. Gold medals are awarded in the six equitation seats: saddle seat, Western seat, hunter seat on the flat, hunter seat over...

This year marks the inception of the Tristanne Weber Childress Memorial American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Youth of the Year Contest Sportsmanship Award. A Morgan horse trainer, Tristanne Weber Childress of Siler City, NC, passed away March 17, 2008, following a short illness at the age of 34. This award, funded by donations from friends and family, will be presented to the AMHA Youth of the Year contestant who best exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship. The winner will be selected by...

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) would like to congratulate the following Silver Medalists for their outstanding performances at horse shows across the country for the months of June and July: Kristin Chandler: Porter Corners, NY Hannah White: Delanson, NY Nellie Wich: Harshaw, WI Jacqueline Beck: Aliso Viejo, CA Taylor Sams: La Mesa, CA Stevie Watson: Tuttle, OK Samantha Winsett: Longmont, CA Raivenne Scott: Cornelius, OR Lauren Gorfinkle: Pleasanton, CA Kelsie Houghtaling:...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has approved the following horse/rider combinations to the Driving Preliminary Training Short List for the 2008 World Horse Championships (Singles) to be held in Jarantow, Poland August 28-31. The combinations are as follows (listed alphabetically): Name/Age/Hometown/Horse/Sex/Age/Breed/Owner Leslie Berndl / 45 / Newcastle, CA / Koopman’s Lightning Rod / Gelding / 12 / Hackney / Ann McClure Marjas Becker / 61 / Brooker, FL /...

Lexington, KY - Chester Weber continued his undefeated assault in the four-in-hand combined driving division in the U.S., finishing more than 30 points clear of the competition at the Garden State CDE held in Allentown, NJ. The Ocala, FL driver won his third consecutive Selection Trials for the 2008 World Horse Championships (Four-in-Hand) – to be held in Beesd, Holland September 3-7. Weber’s dressage was spectacular, scoring 37.76, impressing the Ground Jury of Marsoe Larose, Danuta Nowicka,...