· morgan
CELEBRATING THE MORGAN HORSE IN ATLANTA

March 8, 2007

(Shelburne, Vermont)—The Morgan breed was celebrated and heralded in  Atlanta, Georgia, at the 2007 American Morgan Horse Association  (AMHA) Convention February 14-17. For the first time in its 26-year  history, many Morgan enthusiasts and speakers couldn’t make the event due to poor weather and canceled flights.

“Our theme this year was ‘The Morgan: A Passion That Lasts a 
Lifetime,’” said Convention co-chairman Barbara Goda. “I think 
this also follows closely with the people who surround the Morgan 
horse. Our Morgan friends came through and substituted for stranded 
speakers and some speakers had amazing trips to Atlanta, so they 
would be able to make their presentations.”

Along with speakers and activities, including a day-long farm visit 
to Willowick Farm and Hidden Acres Farm the Annual Meeting of Members 
was held, with Mike Goebig of Kutztown, Pennsylvania, being reelected 
as AMHA president and Region 2 Board Member. Newly elected to 
represent Region 1 was Sara Foy of Kingston, New Hampshire, and Cindy 
Mugnier of Granby, Massachusetts; Kathleen Newcomb was re-elected to 
represent Region 2; and Linnea Sidi of Loveland, Colorado, was re-
elected to serve Region 9. William Pettis of Rio Linda, California, 
was elected AMHA Director at Large. It also was announced that Julie 
M. Broadway of Raleigh, North Carolina, was hired at the new AMHA 
Executive Director. She begins her new position in April.

The AMHA/World Morgan Futurity Stallion Service Auction was record-
breaking with just more than $150,000 raised. The top-selling 
stallions service was to the many-time world champion And The Beat 
Goes On for $10,000. The proceeds from the auction are earmarked 40 
percent to the World Morgan Futurity, 40 percent to promotion and 
marketing of the breed and the Association, and 20 percent in support 
of AMHA regional shows.

The keynote speaker at the annual awards banquet was United States 
Equestrian Federation (USEF) President David O’Connor. As a horseman 
and Olympic medalist, David’s speech was positive and forward 
thinking and his warmth and passion for the equine sport was 
evident. “The Morgan Association is on healthy ground with new 
Executive Director, Julie Broadway,” he said. “USEF looks forward 
to more joint programs in the future.”

Karen Homer Brown, USEF managing director, national affiliates, was a 
presenter. “It was wonderful to be part of the AMHA Convention. The 
attendees were informed of the many programs available both within 
AMHA and USEF. The future looks bright with Julie Broadway leading 
the organization into the future.”

Bruce Hyde, Commissioner of Vermont Tourism and Marketing for the 
state, attended the Convention at the request of the Board to discuss 
keeping the Morgan presence in the state of Vermont. “It was an 
honor to attend and be recognized at the Board meeting,” he said. 
“Governor James Douglas and the Vermont Legislature have 
specifically directed me to do everything possible to keep Vermont 
the home of this valuable institution as the Morgan horse is the 
state animal, and to assist AMHA with the promotion and education of 
the Morgan breed.”

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




Copyright © 2008 The NW Horse Source