MHAO Stable Sheet -

April 2024

Get the most out of this newsletter -

For those viewing this newsletter for the first time, it is published in two or more sections. At the bottom of each section you will be prompted to click a link to go to the next section. Be sure to "click here" where indicated to continue reading. Links to websites or documents for more information are shown in blue and underlined throughout this newsletter. So are email address links if you choose to use them.

From Your Board Of Directors

After AgFest all our focus moves to the Oregon Morgan Classic Horse Show and all the things that lead up to it. Applicants for the MHAO Alex Mooney Memorial Scholarship need to come in, as do nominations for the MHAO Humanitarian Award. Futurity horse class entries are needed as are ads for the annual Futurity Booklet. Sponsors are needed for the show. The list goes on and on. See all the information below in this newsletter.

If you haven't made your reservations yet for your place to stay at the Oregon Morgan Classic, I urge you to make them now. Hotel space is tight. We look forward to seeing you there.

We are still looking for membership renewals, too. Please get them in so you will be included in this years Membership Directory. And I am looking for someone to help us with maintaining our membership database. If you know the Microsoft Access program, I hope you will consider helping us. Call me and let me know if you are knowledgeable in that program and willing to do that for us as a volunteer.

Onward and upward. This is our busiest time of year. I hope all is well with all of you and that there will be lots of fun for you in the year ahead.

Gay Adams, MHAO President

(503) 936-4276, sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

Calling all members who offer a service or product in any industry

Do you have a business card? You can put it in the monthly Stable Sheet newsletter for just $10 per year. Let MHAO members know what you do, and give them an easy way to contact you!

Contact: Gay Adams,

(503) 936-4276

sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

Promotion is a part of the mission of MHAO and very important for the continuation of our breed in the State. MHAO will have a booth at this year's Oregon AgFest event at the Oregon State Fairgrouds April 27th & 28th. This event introduces all things Agricultural to Oregon families. It is an important place for people to also be introduced to the Morgan horse. MHAO will have a Morgan horse and handouts at this event. It will be headed up by Erin Silver. Please let her know if you can help her populate our booth.

Can you help?

Contact Erin Silver, silvermesamorgans@msn.com, (971) 600-8933

Qualifications:

1.Member of MHAO at time of service, or a member of the Morgan community.

2.Nominated by member or non-member

3.Submission of at least one brief written description of the nominee’s exceptional community service and impact.

4.Nominations and essay submissions will be reviewed and nominees contacted before acceptance.

Correction from last month -

Nomination Cutoff is May 1st Each Year for

Awardee to be announced at the

Oregon Morgan Classic

But you can nominate someone any time

Award Created & Sponsored by Patricia Carlson

Send to Patricia Carlson, patricia@dressagemorgans.com

Questions, call Patricia - (503) 851-1950

The stallions that were added since January 31st:

ATMF Katmandu

CBMF Urban Legend

Devine Cool Hand Luke

ICF Reasonably Certain

JFE Just George

LCS Pepperjack

Newmont's Roosevelt

On Line

VDM Kobalt

We are still seeking items, trainer or other service offerings, or experiences to be bid on in our auction!

Donations give you an ad in the Futurity booklet.

Can you help?

See the auction website for more information or to place a bid!

The Premium Booklet will be mailed out by 3/31/2024!

The close date for entries is May 25th

Our Hotel Host:

The Holiday Inn Express will be our host hotel

at basically the same rate as last year.

Register early as the Olympic Trials will be coming in

right behind us and rooms may become scarce.

Click the link below to make your reservations. Ask for Jessica.

 Oregon Morgan Classic 2024 - Holiday Inn Express Booking Link

Stay tuned for updates!

We are working on planning a FUN show!

For questions contact Karen Breckenridge

(503) 580-4716, wylieriley@aol.com

This is another way to support our show, and it's fun, too!

Our coordinator for the Silent Auction this year is Kim Moore.

Let her know if you can contribute.

 jnkmoore96@gmail.com, (503) 507-7268

ATTENTION MORGAN EXHIBITORS

$500 INCENTIVE BONUS

In appreciation of your OMC support,

there will be a $250 drawing of an owner’s name and a

$250 drawing of a professional’s name.

The only requirement is to be entered in the show

and present on Saturday night.

We appreciate your support of the show!

All our members of any age can apply for the MHAO Alex Mooney Scholarship. Payment is made to the educational institution of your choice on your behalf. Past recipients are able to apply again.

This year's recipient will be announced at the

Oregon Morgan Classic

Click here to download an application form and see all the terms.

Thank you to Sally Plumley for her donation in support of this year's scholarship!

Questions, contact Sara Breyman, (503) 930-8421, tripledjb@aol.com

This was a great clinic on an up-and-coming discipline where Morgans can shine. Our thanks to our facilitator, Mary Jane Brown. She created a clinic with four progressive sessions each on a different aspect of the discipline that was customized to the attendees. I particularly liked the way she built in an explanation of how things are scored and what is most important in how you ride your horse thru the competition. Smooth gaits, smooth transitions, and a willing horse are very important. She did this while still providing valuable information not only to the riders but to the auditors. Her instructions were easy to hear due to a good sound system.

Mary Jane works primarily with the owners of Quarter horses and Arabian horses. Morgans are a nice addition to that. She had many years working on a ranch in Wyoming, so when she judges a Ranch class she is looking for a horse that a person can ride comfortably all day over many miles. Again, the horse needs to have a smooth gait and to be at ease so the rider can be at ease, too. One of her tips was "don't rush your horse". It is okay to step into a transition saying 3 steps into it is fine and better than a sudden one. Again, the emphasis was on smoothness.

There were a few private lessons offered on Friday night. We had seven riders on Saturday, and ten on Sunday for the more advanced sessions. Most auditors came on Saturday.

Thank you to all who came for the General Membership Meeting. There was a good turnout and good discussion over the lunch break.

Our thanks also to Patricia Carlson and Tammy Boyer for a great job putting this clinic together and in keeping us fed while we were there. Hot drinks were so welcome to help keep us warm. Spare lap blankets were also available. Their hard work was greatly appreciated. Great clinic!

Send in a 2024 Nomination form and a current picture

by June 1st

Fees:

Initial Nomination Fee - $45

if paid by December 31st in the year the foal is born.

Nominate them by June 1st to be included in the Futurity Booklet

Annual Renewal Fees - $25

thru the foals 4 yr old year if paid by March 31st

If a nomination fee or renewal fee is paid late,

$100 per fee

Class Entry Fees - $25 per class if paid by June 1st,

$50 thereafter

Halter classes offered thru the foal's 2-yr-old year

on Wednesday Evening.

If they win 1st or 2nd in their halter class, they

qualify to go on to their associated Sweepstakes class

on Saturday Evening.

Futurity performance classes are offered throughout the show.

Prize money offered in all classes.

The 4-yr-old with the highest number of points through their

5 yr program will win a Futurity High Point Award

Bonus payments go to the stallion owner and the mare owner

for MHAO Stallion Service Auction get that win

Sweepstakes Champion or Sweepstakes Reserve Champion

The dam of the Sweepstakes Champions or Reserve Champions

will be honored on our website, in the next year's Futurity Booklet and at the next year's Oregon Morgan Classic.

Click here to download a copy of the Futurity Rules

Click here to download a 2024 Nomination Form

Click here to download a Class Entry Form

For questions or assistance, contact Gay Adams

(503) 936-4276, sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

Click here to see the new MHAO Youth Newsletter!

The goal is to publish it every 3-4 months

and get it out to our youth members.

Want to add some news to it? Contact:

Camryn Nicholson, camrynnicholson7@gmail.com or

Kyndle Cummins, moorekyndle@gmail.com

Click here to read the April 1st NW Morgan News e-newsletter published by Shelley Bullard.

Let Shelley know if you would like to be included in her distribution list: skedling@aol.com

Which of the following facts about the Morgan horse is FALSE?

• The Morgan horse is the only American breed with foundation sires before 1800, making them America’s first breed.
• The Justin Morgan horse, aka “Figure”, was the founding sire of the Morgan breed, and because of Justin Morgan’s origins, Vermont and Massachusetts both adopted the Morgan horse as its state animal.
• Morgan horses are known to have been used in both the Union and Confederate armies as their quality and strong physical attributes were in high demand.
• Distinctive attributes of the Morgan horse are his presence and personality, including animation, stamina, vigor, alertness, adaptability, attitude, and tractability.

#AprilFools! They're all true. The Morgan horse played an important role in history, existing solely to please people. Becoming one with people, the Morgan horse allows you to share mutual enjoyment in every equine pastime.

Posted April 1st by Erin Silver. Thank you Erin.

The scholarship application is open to:

• students entering or currently enrolled in accredited colleges, universities, trade or technical schools who are or have previously been involved in the Morgan horse

AND



• professionals and support personnel desiring to further their abilities in the areas of Cystic Fibrosis research, patient care and family support. 

Applications are now being accepted. The deadline for applications is Sunday, June 30th by Midnight (12 a.m.) Eastern.

Click here to learn more.

Click here to access the criteria and application form

Please inquire or send direct questions about this opportunity via email to execdir@morganhorse.com.

AMHA is proud to sponsor Full Circle, a program to encourage individuals to provide a "safety net" for horses they bred, owned, trained, drove, cared for, or just admired.

The Full Circle program allows, at no charge, anyone with interest in a Morgan, to record his or her name and contact information in the AMHA record of that horse. If that horse should ever become unwanted, the individual with custody of the horse at that time can contact the AMHA Registry Department to see if the horse has been enrolled in Full Circle. Enrolled horses are also listed on our website.

Learn more about Full Circle Program.

AMHA recognizes that positive identification is an important tool in the rescue and rehoming of Morgans at risk and has established a fund called “Dollars for DNA” to assist recognized 501(c)(3) rescues by providing free DNA testing kits.

To be eligible, complete and submit the verification form. Once your status is verified, you will be notified and may begin requesting the kits.

To learn more about Dollars for DNA, click HERE.

Dollars for DNA is funded 100% by donations. If you would like to contribute and ensure the future of this fund, please click HERE. Our Morgans "thank" you!

(Donations to Dollars for DNA are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.)

Denny Emerson and The Morgan Horse are proud to announce the second annual "Imagining Morgan History" Youth Essay Contest! All essays should be submitted to Nina Quinn at nrquinn1960@gmail.com by July 15.

Nomination materials will be available on Monday, April 1, for the 2025 election of the AMHA Board of Directors. As per the AMHA bylaw 4.6, “By April 1st of each year, the Executive Director shall deliver notice to each member entitled to vote in the regions which Directors are to be elected in the upcoming annual meeting of members…”

If you think you might be interested, please obtain a set of nomination/election guidelines/materials from AMHA by contacting AMHA Executive Director Carrie Mortensen at execdir@morganhorse.com or calling (802) 985-4944 ext. 201.

AMHA encourages all members to consider getting involved in the governance process of the Association. To learn more about the process, click here.

The deadline to apply is Monday, June 3, 2024. To read more about the grant, criteria, and to apply, click here. Any questions can be directed to AMHA Executive Director Carrie Mortensen at execdir@morganhorse.com or (802) 985-4944 ext. 201.

Would you like to be a part of this amazing group? AMHA welcomes all youth ages 12-21 interested in joining the Youth Council. Fill out the Youth Council Application below and send it to nicole@morganhorse.com. For more information, please contact Nikki at (859) 287-2470, etx. 404.

Articles:

• Tips Too Avoid Gas Colic
• Nourishing The Senior Horse Gra(y)cefully
• Magnesium Supplements For Horses
• Feeding The Senior Horse
• Connectivity - Tendon & Ligament Injuries In The Horse

TOP 5 REASONS FOR MAGNESIUM SUPPLEMENTATION

Balancing Calcium: It is important to keep a 2:1 ratio between calcium and magnesium to support proper functioning of calcium and magnesium in the body.

Muscle and Athletic Support: Athletic horses are often supplemented with additional magnesium to support proper muscle function during heavy exercise.

Calming: Magnesium is heavily involved in the nervous system, and low magnesium levels may result in nerve excitability and hypersensitivity.

Metabolic Health: Deficient concentrations of magnesium can interfere with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein, effecting a horse’s metabolic health.

Headshaking: For horses suffering from Trigeminal Mediated Headshaking, magnesium can have a calming effect and may help reduce hypersensitivity of the trigeminal nerve.

Our new BUCKLE SERIES starts now! The 'Bring on Spring' Virtual Trail Challenge will go through June and we will award buckles for Novice, Open and Easy Peasy! April registration is open until the 24th, but patterns will be posted on the 19th.

Check out the details at trinitytrailevents.com.

Our new BUCKLE SERIES starts now! The 'Bring on Spring' Virtual Trail Challenge will go through June and we will award buckles for Novice, Open and Easy Peasy! April registration is open until the 24th, but patterns will be posted on the 19th.

Check out the details at trinitytrailevents.com.

Join us for a conversation on how to preserve our

Equine way of life into the future.

Register with Brandi Ebner, Executive Director

brandi@oregonhorsecouncil.com

Click here to read the article posted March 25, 2024 in "That Oregon Life".

Is anyone in this community experiencing any of this or know of anyone who is?

So far we have not been able to find any information on this thru our Oregon Legislature. If you are experiencing this or know of anyone who is, please let me know so I can pass it on to Brandi Ebner, Executive Director for the Oregon Horse Council. Gay Adams, sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

From The School Of Ranch Association

(Not On Ranch Riding - Practical tips & training

on the skills needed to run a ranch)

Join us April 23th for a unique evening of learning and fun! This workshop is designed for enthusiasts of all levels to deepen their knowledge through a spirited game of Jeopardy tailored to equine education and cool hands-on activities. Live demonstrations on tack and carpentry for ranching, and an exclusive booth by Purina discussing horse health and nutrition will enrich your understanding. 

We’ll also be raising money for StirrUp Purpose! 

Registration is required for this engaging event. While there’s no set fee, a $20 donation is suggested to contribute to our cause. Secure your spot now and be part of this fun night!

Price: Contribute what you want

Time: 5:30pm 8:15pm

Location: Redmond VFW Hall

Get Details: https://schoolofranch.org/w-game-night

Click here to register.

Click here to see School of Ranch Workshops

Member of the Oregon Horse Council

Looking forward to opening the Northwest Morgan Circuit with the Key Classic.

Mark your calendars for

May 8-12, 2023

Evergreen Equestrian Center

Monroe WA

It will be here before you know it!

Volunteers needed!

If you are able to help, send a private message via the club's Facebook page.

The Key Classic Premium Booklet

Is Out!

Close date is April 14th

The countdown is on!

Once again Key Classic will be offering a great variety of OTAB, Ranch, Trail, Reining, Western Dressage, Dressage as well as a variety of main ring classes. 

They are also planning on a fun exhibitors party and still finalizing the Mothers' Day Brunch. There will also be a Saturday night Dessert Extravaganza. 

Show officials are:

USEF Officials: In-Hand & Performance: Jolene Galvin

Dressage and Western Dressage: Renee Johnson

Working Western, Ranch Horse, Trail and Reining: Lillian Evaniew-Phelan

USEF Steward: Matt Kwapich.

Click here to access the Premium Booklet

Online entries are now available too at www.horseshowsonline.com. Click on upcoming shows and you will find Key Classic Benefit Horse Show.

Remember - Entries close April 14, 2024

And, Denise L. says she is starting early on sponsorships for Key Classic, and is reaching out to all the loyal and long time sponsors with a new sponsorship package! Its never too early, so if you can be a sponsor, contact Denise at dnn366@gmail.com

Click here to download the new sponsorship packages.

Your contacts for any questions or assistance are:

Nancy Harvey, Show Manager

nharvey440@aol.com

626.390.8918

&

Carol Fletcher

d3ofnine@gmail.com

Website:  The Morgan Horse Club of Washington State

The following classes have been added to this years show:

Class 53.1 - Morgan Park Harness Amateur/ Jr Exhibitor

Class 118.1 - Morgan Pleasure Driving 3 yr old

Class 200.1 - Single Bit, Open OTAB Championship

Click here to order

To advertise in the Stable Sheet, contact Gay Adams - (503) 936-4276 or

sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

General Qualifying Rules:

● HORSES qualify for performance classes and RIDERS qualify for equitation classes.

● Horses entered in the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show® must qualify for a class between the last day of the prior year’s show and the day before the current year by:

Placing 1st through 8th in that class or comparable futurity class at an AMHA Regional Show.

Placing 1st through 6th in that class or comparable futurity class at a USEF All-Morgan show, USEF Morgan Division, and shows with a Morgan division sanctioned by registries that have been granted international reciprocity by AMHA.

Placing 1st-4th in that class at an AMHA Star Show.

● Equitation riders qualify for Equitation Classes by placing 1st through 8th in that class at an AMHA Regional Show, 1st through 6th in that class at a USEF show or by placing 1st through 4th in that class at an AMHA Star Show.

● Dressage and Western Dressage entries must have been shown at a qualifying show. (see above)

● Stallions which have been gelded during the current competition year qualify for the corresponding class for geldings.

● Junior Horses who qualify under the above rules in a class for “Four-Year-Olds and Under” are automatically qualified for the class of their respective age group.

● Maiden, Novice, Limit, Gentlemen, Open, classes with open specifications and classes divided by height qualify horses for Open classes by placing as described above.

● Amateur Ladies Pleasure Driving and Amateur Gentlemen Pleasure Driving are classes for amateurs. Horses must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in an Amateur class.

● Amateur Owned, Trained and Shown. Horses must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in an Amateur class or AOTS Class.

● Gentlemen to Ride/Drive Horses must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in an Open class or a class specific for Gentlemen.

● Ladies, Amateur to Ride are classes for Ladies, restricted to Amateur riders. Horses must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in a Ladies class or a class specific for Ladies Amateur.

● Masters classes are classes for Amateurs, restricted to riders/drivers that are 50 years & older. Horses must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in an Amateur class or a class specific for Amateur Masters except Classic and Park.

● Saddle Seat Classic Equitation riders must qualify in either a Saddle Seat Classic Equitation class or a Saddle Seat Equitation class.

● Walk-Trot riders must qualify by showing in any Walk-Trot class.

● Youth horses must qualify by showing in any class in that division.

Qualifying rules for each section:

CARRIAGE DRIVING – No qualifying required

CLASSIC PLEASURE DRIVING – Horse must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in any Classic Pleasure Driving class. EXCEPTION: Youth qualifies by having been shown in any class in this division.

CLASSIC PLEASURE SADDLE – Horse must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in any Classic Pleasure Saddle class. EXCEPTION: Youth qualifies by having been shown in any class in this division.

DRESSAGE – No qualifying required for Second Level and above. Introductory, Training and First Level horse/rider combination must have been shown at a qualifying show at that level. Musical Freestyle horse/rider combination must have received a minimum score of 63% for Training through Fourth levels in the highest test of the declared freestyle level at a qualifying show.

DRESSAGE, WESTERN – No qualifying required for Level Two and above. Introductory, Basic and Level One horse/rider combination must have been shown at a qualifying show at that level.

ENGLISH PLEASURE – Horses must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in that class. EXCEPTIONS: Youth qualifies by having been shown in any class in this division, any Amateur class will qualify for Masters, any Ladies class will qualify for Ladies Amateur to ride.

EQUITATION –

• Riders must qualify for AMHA Medal classes by placing 1st or 2nd in an AMHA Silver Medal class.
• Reining Seat riders may qualify by riding a registered Morgan mare or gelding in an open USEF or NRHA recognized competition or a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in Reining Seat Equitation.
• Hunter Seat over Fences riders may qualify by riding a registered Morgan mare or gelding in an open USEF Hunter Over Fences Equitation class and place 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
• Dressage Seat riders can qualify by riding a registered Morgan mare or gelding in an open Federation Dressage competition and earning a score of 60% or higher in Training Level, Test 3.
• Riders must qualify for the UPHA Challenge Cup Finals by placing 1st through 4th in a UPHA Morgan Challenge Cup or by placing 1st through 4th in an Open UPHA Challenge Cup class while riding a Morgan.
• All other Equitation classes must be qualified by winning the appropriate placing in that seat. EXCEPTION: No qualifying required for Adult Equitation.
• Walk-Trot riders must have shown in any Walk-Trot class to qualify.

FITTING & SHOWMANSHIP – No qualifying required.

FUTURITY – No qualifying required. Horse must be current on all World Morgan Futurity Fees and have a show fee paid to the Futurity for that class.

HUNTER – No qualifying required.

HUNTER PLEASURE – Horses must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in that class. EXCEPTIONS: Youth qualifies by having been shown in any class in this division, any Amateur class will qualify for Masters and AOTS, any Ladies class will qualify for Ladies Amateur to ride, any Open class will qualify for Gentlemen.

IN-HAND – Horses qualify by winning the appropriate placing in that class. Classes with combined age groups qualify for the class of the horse’s age. EXCEPTIONS: No qualifying required for yearlings or two year olds or Specialty In-Hand.

JUMPER – No qualifying required.

LEADLINE – No qualifying required.

PARK HARNESS – Horse must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in any Park Harness class. EXCEPTION: Youth qualifies by having been shown in any class in this division and Two-Year-Olds do not require any qualification.

PARK SADDLE – Horse must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in any Park Saddle class. EXCEPTION: Youth qualifies by having been shown in any class in this division.

PLEASURE DRIVING – Horse must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in that class. EXCEPTIONS: Two-Year-Olds do not require any qualification. Youth qualifies by having been shown in any class in this division, any Amateur class will qualify for Masters, Amateur Gentlemen and Amateur Ladies.

REINING – No qualifying required.

ROAD HACK – Horse must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in any Road Hack class.

ROADSTER – No qualifying required.

SPORT HORSE – No qualifying required.

TRAIL – No qualifying required.

VERSATILE MORGAN – No qualifying required.

WALK-TROT PLEASURE – Riders must have shown in any Walk-Trot class.

WESTERN PLEASURE – Horse must qualify by winning the appropriate placing in that class. EXCEPTIONS: Youth qualifies by having been shown in any class in this division, any Amateur class qualifies for Amateur Gentlemen, Masters and AOTS, any Ladies class qualifies for Ladies Amateur, any Open or Gentlemen class qualifies for Gentlemen.

WORKING WESTERN – No qualifying required.

For any questions, please contact Peggy Hatfield, Show Secretary 316-755-0395 or peggyhat@aol.com

Plans are underway for the 52nd Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show. This will be our 50th year at the Jim Norrick Arena. Join us as we say goodbye to this iconic home of the greatest Morgan show in the world. We look forward to new memories beginning in 2025 in the new arena currently under construction at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.

Competition begins Saturday, October 5th with three shows daily through Saturday, October 12th. Show times will be at 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. the first Saturday through Tuesday and 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Our Morgan community mourns the loss of Robert Hall Morgan of Hollister, California. Bob passed away on the first day of Spring, March 19, 2024, at the age of 73. 

Bob Morgan grew up breeding, training, showing, and selling Morgans on his family’s farm, Triton Morgan Horses. Over the years, he had the honor of riding, driving, and handling many high-quality Morgans including Lippitt Pecos, Orcland Bold Fox, Applevale Red Fox and more. Bob married his wife, Susie, in 2003 and together they built their current breeding program, raised many outstanding Morgans and five successful children, and spent cherished time with their grandchildren.  

AMHA extends our condolences to Susie, the children, family, and friends in the loss of Bob. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for April 20, 2024, at the Triton Museum in Santa Clara. 



Click HERE to RSVP to the Celebration of Life.

My other half and soul mate, Joe (Triple E's Cassanova Joe) was laid to rest on Thursday night. He was 25.

I have always known that we were soul mates. We were always going to find each other, and we will find each other again one day. But for now, I can feel you with me, for you are me and I am you. We are together, whole, no matter what form we take in this life or the next. We have an unspoken understanding. A knowing without asking. For even though our physical forms do not speak the same language, we do not need to speak to understand.

I was blessed to know Joe since I was 11. I was a club member of the Mount Si Horse 4-H club when I first met him. I can still remember the day I looked in that poorly lit stall, seeing him for the first time and thinking he was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. We immediately connected and it was like we had known each other forever.

Before meeting me, Joe was trained to be a show horse by his owner and other morgan trainers. He went on to win the 2002 Grand National Championship Western Pleasure 3 Year old Stallions and Geldings Grand National Champion title as well as the 2002 World Championship Reserve World Champion 3 Year Old Western Pleasure title. Unfortunately his owner came across hard times and could not longer afford his world champion life style. She leased Joe out to a hunter who used him to carry game out on hunting trips. After that, Joe ended up at Mt Si Stables where he was a lesson horse.

I began leasing Joe and taking lessons with him. After a while I kept asking my trainer when I was able to learn to canter. They kept pushing it off, and pushing it off. But one day while I was riding Joe, Joe cantered. And he kept doing it. He thought I was ready. I've never had any doubts of trust with Joe. I knew I could trust him, so I went with it. Joe taught me how to canter, trust, and feel calm riding, all on his own. throughout our showing career Joe has never once felt like I outgrew him. He always stayed right with my skill level, continuously pushing me just a step further.

Unfortunately the barn Joe was at was not feeding quality hay, and as a result made him severely sick with colic caused by two massive blockages in his intestines. Joe was rushed to the hospital, but his owner could not afford the surgery. My parents stepped in and offered to pay for the surgery. Joe, being a fighter, made it through the surgery. I went and visited him every day.

While Joe was recovering, my amazing parents were working hard to find a new place for Joe to live, where he could continue to recover. That place was Timber Creek Stables. This ended up being my gateway into the Morgan Horse world. Here I began training with Linda Collins. I owe so much to everyone at Timber Creek Stables for taking such good care of Joe. Nursing him back to full health and even getting him back up to showing condition. Then one day as I was entering the barn, a surprise awaited me. There Joe stood with a huge red bow and a big gift tag that read "To: Kayla". It's still the best present I have ever gotten. Because my parents paid for Joe's surgery, his owner Joanna in return, gave us Joe. The barn became my second home, and we made so many friends.

I continued showing Joe, going from the local shows all the way up to regionals in our junior exhibitor years. Along our showing journey we met Suzanne Haberek, Teri Rumens, and Juan Gonzales with Fire Run Farm. I began training with Fire Run Farm with the goal of going to the Morgan Grand Nationals in Oklahoma City. Fire Run Farm has done so much for us over the years, and took amazing care of Joe, especially in his retirement years. I know that he was happy. Fire Run Farm has truly been our family.

In our showing career from junior exhibitor to Adult Amateur we had a total of 58 victory passes, 4 Grand National / World titles, and 31 championships.

Joe taught me how to be the rider I am today. I owe every bit of my foundational skills to him. Our journey together was nothing less than extraordinary. We got to travel to so many places and got to meet so many amazing people.

I am forever grateful for how many people truly loved and cared about Joe. He was truly a one in a million horse that you won't find again. There won't be a day that goes by that I won't think about him and miss him. I never really saw him as a "horse" but rather as my other half and best friend.

Kayla Powlesland

A video tribute to Joe

Our hearts go out to Nora Wall Skipper in the loss of her partner, Scout.

Included in the next Sections:

Section 2:

Member News

Section 3:

Classified Ads

Advertising Thru MHAO

How to become an MHAO Member

Oregon Horse Council News

USEF News

AMHA News