For Immediate Release:
Date: April 1, 2010
Contact: Shanna Gish - indiancr@aol.com
Bluegrass Morgan Classic Posts Schedule on Their Website
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Lexington, KY – Organizers of the Bluegrass Morgan Classic want everyone to know that the class schedule for the inaugural horse show are now posted on the show's website at www.bluegrassmorganclassic.com.
The new Morgan Horse Show will begin on Wednesday evening, July 7th with the In Hand competition. The performance and fun classes will run July 8th through the 11th. The schedule offers a full line-up of classes from western to park and carriage driving for the amateur, junior exhibitor and professional.
Cindy Mugnier of Granby, Massachusetts and Larry Bolen of Perrysburg, Ohio will officiate this year's exciting new event that will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Kentucky Horse Park hosts over one million visitors each year and the Bluegrass Morgan Horse Show will be the only all-Morgan show held at the park. Exhibitors will also have the opportunity to view progress of the new Morgan Pavillion being built at the horse park.
With all of the exciting Morgan horse events happening the second week of July, organizers are inviting everyone to make plans to attend the show and celebrate our breed at one of the world's premier equine facilities.
For Immediate Release:
Date: February 25, 2010
Contact: Shanna Gish - indiancr@aol.com
Morgan Weanling Gala Building Strong List of Stallions for 2011 Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Perrysburg, Ohio – The Morgan Weanling Gala committee is pleased to share with everyone the list of stallions currently nominated for the 2011 event. Larry Bolen, Gala Chairman, announced the stallions nominated as of February 23rd are Astronomicallee, Beethoven, Cartier, Centerpiece, Dragonsmeade Axios, Dragonsmeade Icon, Favorite Son, JW That Special Flaire, Man In Motion, Mastroianni, MEM The Patriot, Minion Millennium, Mizrahi, Stonecroft Trilogy, Tara's Firewalker, and Town Assets.
“We have such an extraordinary group of stallions already, and we are still receiving and encouraging nominations. The more nominations received, the higher the payouts, and that is why it is so important for everyone who loves and breeds Morgans to become involved.” Bolen stated. “We are also strongly encouraging mare owners to support the stallions listed above, and the resulting foals will be eligible to compete for substantial prize money. “ he concluded.
The 2011 Morgan Weanling Gala will be held at the Jubilee Regional Morgan Horse Show and will be open to all weanlings whose sires have been nominated to the program. Again, this event is an incredible and one of a kind way to promote a stallion and his offspring based on conformation and athleticism. The event invites all stallions into the program. The 2011 nomination fee is $3,000 for stallions new to the program and $2,700 for stallions that were nominated for 2010. A payment schedule is available and all major credit cards and checks will be accepted. Contracts are available at www.morganweanlinggala.com. Requests may also be directed to Larry Bolen at CedrCreek@aol.com, Paulette Bodnar at Hooligan@mc.net, or Shanna Gish at IndianCr@aol.com.
For Immediate Release:
Date: February 20, 2010
Contact: Barbara Young - AMHIoffice@aol.com
AMHI Holds Annual Meeting and 15th Annual Auction
Key West, Florida Vacation Tops AMHI Auction
One Hundred and twenty plus Morgan enthusiasts attended the American Morgan Horse Institute's 15th Annual Dinner Buffet Auction on Thursday, February 18, 2010 during the six-day American Morgan Horse Association Annual Convention in Lexington, Kentucky. Event sponsors were Susan Carlino and Lorraine Bumb of Silver Creek Stables, Sheryl Bartolucci of SLB Farms, and the Tatar Family.
The $4,100 top bid of the evening secured a five-night stay in beautiful Key West, Florida for the high bidder. The 21-item auction grossed $21,775 for the Institute. Donated art work, advertising space in industry publications, jewelry, antiques, and vacation packages were sold to the highest bidder with encouragement from veteran auctioneer Bill Carrington. The proceeds will benefit the educational and breed promotion programs of the American Morgan Horse Institute.
American Morgan Horse Institute Annual Meeting
The AMHI Trustees held its Annual Members Meeting on February 19, 2010. The meeting, chaired by President Robert Morgan, included reports by committee chairs and the election of trustees. The trustees re-elected the current executive committee of Mr. Morgan, Vice President Susan Fu, Secretary Mona Skager, and Treasurer Mark Staehnke.
The membership elected nine trustees. Trustees elected for an additional three-year term are Fred Dills, Dick Hawkins, Robert Morgan, Darwin Olson, Sally Plumley, Fran Pugh, Robin Rednor-Veghte, and Jill Smith. Jeff Gove was elected for his first three-year term.
For Immediate Release:
Date: January 5, 2010
Contact: Julie Broadway -802-985-4944
Changes at the Shelburne Facility
After extensive discussions regarding the Association's lease renewal over the past 18 months, the American Morgan Horse Institute (AMHI) and the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) are working together to conduct a space utilization study and assessment to determine possible long-term housing solutions for Association's business operations and the National Museum of the Morgan Horse.
The Association no longer requires the current square footage they occupy in the Shelburne facility. When the Association took occupancy in 1988, the Association included approximately 30 staff members and several large computer systems. With process improvements and other advances, and a current in-house staff of 12, the Association is seeking to renegotiate for less square footage and a corresponding rent reduction.
The Institute, the owner of the Shelburne facility, incurs approximately $60,000 in annual expenses, including insurance, security and fire systems, property taxes. Since the National Museum of the Morgan Horse occupies the building rent free, all of the building expenses are funded by the rent that the Association pays. Because the original deed with the Shelburne Museum did not allow the landlord the ability to sublease, a reduction in AMHA's square footage requirements results in vacant space that cannot be leased. Currently, the building is operating at breakeven due to personal donations by the AMHI Board of Trustees.
"Both organizations take seriously their fiduciary responsibilities and the decision to 'rightsize or downsize.' The current space requirements would save both the Association and the Institute thousands in operating expenses annually," stated Bob Morgan, President of the AMHI Board of Trustees. "The Institute is keenly interested in ensuring that the National Museum of the Morgan Horse has a permanent home in Vermont with the greatest visibility and an endowment to ensure its long term success. In addition to the immediate financial benefits, strategic relocation of the prominent collection of Morgan artifacts maintained by the National Museum of the Morgan Horse could help to further its mission, encourage more donations, and provide a venue that will lead to an influx of new visitors."
The Institute has contacted the Shelburne Museum to ascertain their interest in acquiring the property, as is required by a restriction inserted and recorded with the original purchase agreement and deed to the property. Additionally, Bob Morgan has stated that "AMHI is in discussion with Vermont state officials and representatives from the UVM Morgan Horse Farm to solicit their ideas and input."
"The Association is not leaving Vermont; we are just seeking ways to operate effectively and efficiently within our resources. If the present Shelburne facility is not available for rent, AMHA would seek other office facilities in Shelburne or the South Burlington area. The ultimate decision rests in the hands of the AMHI. The AMHA will take steps based on the best alternatives available," stated Julie Broadway, AMHA Executive Director.
We will provide news regarding the outcome of these discussions as soon as it becomes available
For Immediate Release:
Date: January 4, 2010
Contact: Shanna Gish - indiancr@aol.com
Morgan Weanling Gala Encourages Stallion Owners to Complete 2011 Nominations
Organizers of the Morgan Weanling Gala are quickly trying to gather and contact all interested stallion owners for the 2011 class. The third annual event will be held in Springfield, Illinois in conjunction with the 2011 Jubilee Regional. “We have seen a tremendous response from stallion owners, breeders and Morgan enthusiasts following our inaugural class this past September. All are thrilled to have a way to market their stallions and young prospects and support the breed,” said Chairman Larry Bolen. “What we need now is for all interested parties to continue to nominate their stallions for future classes by signing and returning the Stallion Nomination contracts as soon as possible. We would also like to remind owners that they should take advantage of the 10% re-nomination discount for stallions that have been participating since 2009.” He added.
Mare owners are also encouraged to make sure that the stallions of their choice are nominated. Because the eligible foals are shown as weanlings, it is always necessary to be nominating one year in advance. By doing so, breeders will know well in advance if they are choosing a nominated stallion. This opportunity for weanlings to earn prize money is one of the largest that the Morgan breed has to offer making eligibility quite important.
With just a short time left before the deadline, the entire committee would like to urge stallion owners to mail their contracts within the next week. Stallion nominations for the 2011 Gala event will be accepted through January 2010. If you are interested in nominating your stallion and need a contract, it is not too late. You may download contracts at their web site: www.morganweanlinggala.com, or direct your request and questions to Larry Bolen at CedrCreek@aol.com or Shanna Gish at IndianCr@aol.com. Signed contracts are to be returned to Paulette Bodnar at the address listed on the contract.
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