MHAO Stable Sheet -

December 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

You have a great group of people on the board who want to make sure that they provide, you the member, with events and programs that are of interest to everyone. We would love to hear from the membership on any ideas and suggestions that you may have for the club. Remember.. the club is for the membership and your board wants to make sure that we are meeting your needs and expectations. Let us know how we are doing and if there are things you would like us to do!

So until the next time, let me wish all of you a very happy holiday and a stellar new year!

Officers:

President – Kathy Christensen

mike-kak@Q.com

Vice President – Kim Moore

jnkmoore96@gmail.com

Secretary – Gay Adams

sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

Treasurer – Karen Breckenridge

wylieriley@aol.com

Directors:

Lorraine Beaumont

vetmerge@cs.com

Kyndle Cummins

moorekyndle@gmail.com

Sandi Humphfres

firemed13@yahoo.com

Erin Silver

silvermesamorgans@msn.com

Tammy Boyer

tammyrboyer@gmail.com

Sierra Breckenridge

sierrabreckenridge@gmail.com

Sara Breyman

tripledjb@aol.com

Patricia Carlson

patricia@dressagemorgans.com

Nancy Eidam

crownmorgans@gmail.com

Julie Nygaard

julienygaard@hotmail.com

Youth Director:

Camryn Nicholson

camrynnicholson7@gmail.com



Click here to download this information

Looking Forward To An Exciting Year Ahead!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Morgan Division

In Hand :

Sutton Obsidian, Liz Goldman

Latours Outa Cash, CZ Reins

Pleasure Driving

English Pleasure

Rosehaven Ignacio, Margaret Korver

Western Pleasure

Altair Rising Star, Jim Breckenridge

Rosehaven Hez Top Class, Margaret Korver

Miscellaneous

Latours Out a Cash, CZ Reins

ATMF Moonlight Sonata, Sierra Breckenridge

Classic Driving:

 Harlan's Balanced Image, Shelly Bullard

Classic English Pleasure

           Harlan's Balanced Image, Shelley Bullard

           Latours Outa Cash, CZ Reins

Hunter Pleasure:

Sutton Obsidian, Liz Goldman

           C-King MJs Danzin Star, Julie Tretter

Overall Morgan Division: 

Champion:    Altair Rising Star, Jim Breckenridge

Reserve:              Latours Out a Cash, CZ Reins

Morgan JR. Exhibitor Division

Showmanship:

Kayla Ropp

Western Pleasure:

Mia Mar Lock Down, Kayla Ropp

Hunter Pleasure:

Altair Sheza Lady, Danika VanDyke

Mia Mar Lockdown, Kayla Ropp

Hunt Seat Equitation:

Kayla Ropp

Western Equitation:

Kayla Ropp

Overall JR. Exhibitor: 

Champion : Danika Van Dyk 

Reserve: Kayla Ropp

Open Division

English Pleasure:

Altair Sheza Lady, Danika Van Dyk

Equitation:

Julie Tretter

Sport Horse In Hand:

           Aranaway Dante, Sierra Breckenridge

           TFF Devon, Kathy Christenson

Sport Horse Under Saddle:

           Sutton Terra Cotta, Liz Goldman

           Blueandwhite Rebel, Sierra Breckenridge

Western/Cowboy Dressage:

ATMF Moonlight Sonata, Sierra Breckenridge

TFF Devon, Kathy Christenson

Dressage:

           Blueandwhite Rebel, Sierra Breckenridge

           Moonrune Tempest Sonata, Sierra Breckenridge

Carriage:

           Sutton Terra Cotta,Liz Goldmann

Ranch:

JMF Wild Serenity, Jaime Floyd

ATMF Moonlight Sonata, Sierra Breckenridge

Endurance:

           Marvelous Portia, Nora Mains

           Statesmans Eagle, Karen Pate

Miscellaneous:

           Latours Outa Cash, CZ Reins

Rogue Hill Catalina, Sandi Humphfres

Overall Open Division:

Champion :  Sutton Terra Cotta, Liz Goldmann  

Reserve:   ATMF Moonlight Sonata, Sierra Breckenridge



Congratulations to all our members on a very successful year!

Here is our latest list of members as of December 7th, 2024. If you have not renewed yet, please do. If you know someone who owns a Morgan horse but is not a current member, please ask them to join. We are stronger together. Our local Morgan community needs MHAO to help with the preservation and promotion of this wonderful breed. MHAO offers a full array of programs for our members which can be seen on our website - www.morganhorseoregon.com. MHAO needs members and their voices to remain a viable and highly valued organization existing to serve all of you.

Individual Membership - $30 (gives you 1 vote)

Family Membership - $35 (gives you 2 votes)

Another way you can help: if an MHAO member sells a Morgan horse to a first time Morgan owner, that new owner can have a free MHAO membership in the year of purchase. Just fill out a membership form with them and send it to Karen Breckenridge as outlined on the form. Where it asks for payment information write "First Time Morgan Owner", and who the horse was purchased from. It will be our job to earn their paid membership thereafter. Send me their email address so I can add them to our distribution list for the Stable Sheet - to sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

Click here to download the 2025 Membership Form

For questions or to volunteer to help, contact Gay Adams

(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! Ads are also welcome at very reasonable rates.

Questions, contact: Gay Adams

Email or text your card to:

(503) 936-4276

sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

Advertise With MHAO

MHAO Foal Photo Contest

Winners

Congratulations To Our Winners!

The first place photo will become the cover of the

2025 MHAO Breeders' Cup Futurity Booklet

Want to know more about the photos that were entered into the auction? All the photos are identified now on our website. Click here and scroll down to see it.

Click here to download the 2025 flyer and submission form

Follow the instructions on the form. For questions contact Sandi Humphfres

or Karen Breckenridge.

Sandi - firemed13@yahoo.com

Karen - wylieriley@aol.com

The dates for the 2025 Oregon Morgan Classic are out.

See the show flyer below.

Futurity Fees:

Initial Nomination Fee - $45

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

Annual Renewal Fees - $25

After nomination 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

in 2 divisions - Traditional & Sport/Western

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

qualify to go on to their associated Sweepstakes class

A full array of Futurity performance classes are offered for 3 & 4 yr olds.

3 yr old saddle classes are walk/trot

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.

Renewals are due March 31, 2025

Click here to download a copy of the Futurity Rules

Click here to download a 2024 Nomination Form

For questions or assistance, contact Gay Adams

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

Our breeders are the keepers of the fantastic Morgan breed!

Help us Support Our Breeders!

For those who want to support our program without making a stallion service donation, sponsorship packages for our auction and futurity are available. Contact Gay for more information. We accept donations of other items or services for people to bid on, too. Proceeds from the auction provide prize money for our Futurity, the only remaining futurity in the Western Region.

Astronomicallee

LCS Pepperjack

Bazinga

MNM Snap

Ingate's Eye Of The Tiger

Triple Pines Brooks

For more information, go to our auction website.

On the website, click on the stallion's name for more information.

Stallions are just starting to come in.

For questions, to share information, or to add names to our distribution list for

the Youth Newsletter, contact:

Camryn Nicholson, camrynnicholson7@gmail.com

Kyndle Cummins, moorekyndle@gmail.com

Articles:

• Equine Metabolic Issues
• Tips To Support Weight Gain
• Mayday! Troubleshooting Common Equine Hoof Issues
• Sleep Deprivation And Narcolepsy In The Horse
• Winter Care For Horses

From Gail Young on Facebook:

The US Govt. bred Morgans for remount horses because during the Civil War they proved themselves to withstand the hardships of war better than any breed. They were revered for their stamina, easy keeping qualities, and athleticism, - qualities we as Morgan enthusiasts enjoy today. My first Morgan, a mare strong in govt breeding with a splash of Lippitt, showed me the true heart of a war horse when she survived being gut shot.

Born on my parents farm, Royle Spear Donna, AKA, Missy, was bred by Roy Lee Mason, hence the “RoyLe prefix. As a two year old she was sent to Max Brittingham for harness training. Blessed with a natural barefoot over level park trot that was so animated she looked like her feet never touched the ground, Max had great expectations for a Gold Cup debut. However, three months later he sent her home, telling my parents she was crazy and untrainable. She returned to us with a true hatred of men.

Age twelve at the time, I secretly took over her training and discovered that if _asked_ rather than ‘told” what to do, she would bust her heart to please me. I earned her ownership, but in truth, that mare always owned me.

By the time I was 17, my parents trusted me to drive the rig but I was only allowed to attend the local all breed shows. We lived in a part of Ohio where QH and Arabs were all that mattered, but that summer out of 47 classes she was almost undefeated. She won end of year hi point champion in Western Pleasure, Ohio State Fair Saddleseat Showmanship Champion, and won a reining class of 42 entries, including a former QH Congress reining winner. She was a natural park horse, but there weren’t classes for that. It didn’t matter. She was truly versatile. This mare was so athletic she could jog and lope almost in place, bridle-less. She would respond to my legs and shifting of weight alone, which back in the 70s at local shows was not the norm. Didn’t matter if it was a QH or Arabian judge, they liked her, a lot.

Missy was 12 when we found her standing in the field, gut shot. I was newly married and she’d been at our new home only two weeks. I called my Vet to put her down to end her suffering, but when he found her vitals were steady and she was still standing, he gave us antibiotics and pain killers and suggested giving her another day. Each morning we expected the worst, but each day she was still standing. She lost over a hundred pounds in the first days from fever and infection, but she never went down. Each day for over two weeks I had to massage to the wound abscess, the size and shape of a football half, until it opened and drained the poison. Each time I cried and cursed myself for not putting her down to save her suffering, but _she never went down._. She wouldn’t give up. Neither could we.

Each morning I’d lay the lead rope over her neck and she’d slowly follow me to the pasture. For two months she was no better, no worse, until one morning. My husband said he saw her old ornery gleam return to her eyes moments before she bolted past me flagging her tail and snorting while she boldly trotted through the forbidden garden, snatching mouthfuls of lettuce with glee. She played catch me if you can until my husband told her “That’s enough, come here.” He was the only man she trusted. She trotted directly to him, and buried her head in his arms, looking quite apologetic!

As if being one of the few horses known to survive peritonitis wasn’t remarkable enough, her next surprise came a few months later when she delivered a healthy black filly. It was the day before April Fools’ day and my Vet threatened to charge me double because he didn’t believe me when I told him why we needed him. He knew we’d been unsuccessful getting Missy in foal after years of trying. And although she finally caught and was 6 weeks pregnant when shot, he’d assumed she had absorbed the foal.

The horse the trainer said was crazy and un-trainable, proved to be anything but. Missy wouldn’t tolerate rude people, but she’d withstand anything for those she loved. No better illustration of this than when our horse crazy 2 year old daughter snuck into the pasture. My husband was distracted only a few moments, but that’s all a determined 2 yr old needed. My husband turned prematurely grey that day when he turned and saw our toddler swinging like Tarzan back and forth on Missy’s tail. The old mare just looked at my husband with an expression, “ahh, a little help here please?” She never moved a foot until he grabbed our daughter up into his arms. Missy just gave a big sigh and went back to grazing.

Missy lived with us to a robust, ageless looking sum of thirty years. She is a “nobody” among Morgan people, but even 20+ years after her death, people here still talk about “that black Morgan mare.”

Click here to see her pedigree.

What is that saying? You can tell a gelding, ask a mare, and talk it over with a stallion. Did I get it right? Although I have known some geldings that were still in the stallion mode.

As a regular feature, I would love to start including information in this newsletter about breeding programs, stallions and mares out of history in the Northwest. Also about local stallions that are here now, or stallions who may be located elsewhere but are or were used a lot for breeding in our Western Region.

Do you have pictures and information

or a story you can share?

Please send to Gay at sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

Articles:

• A Word About Breeches - 1980's Version (a bit humorous)
• Hilltop Bio & Not One More Vet Partner to Improve Mental Wellness for Veterinarians Everywhere

Welcome to "Horse Person", the Podcast

Being a horse person is like this: the more you learn, the more you realize you know nothing at all.

So, with all the different “bubbles” of the horse world, how can we all get into the same room and share a little bit of perspective, knowledge, and humanity with one another? Welcome to Horse Person, the equestrian podcast hosted by award-winning podcaster Caroline Culbertson where we do precisely that.

Part education, part human(horse?) interest, the ultimate goal of Horse Person is to support you on your journey to becoming the best horse person you can be, whatever that looks like for you.

New episodes released every other Monday morning! Join us!

New one is out! Listen Now!

Horse Person x Dear Horse World, Live & Unscripted

Caroline sits down with long-time friend and former boss, Noelle Floyd, to talk about standing out, fitting in, and building community in an individual sport. 

Horse Person is a biweekly podcast from award-winning podcaster and equestrian, Caroline Culbertson, that aims to make the horse world just a little bit better by asking the impolite questions we’re all too afraid to ask.

The Horse Stars Hall of Fame was established by the EQUUS Foundation in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) in 2013 to celebrate the extraordinary talent of horses and the magical bond between horses and people.

The EQUUS Foundation inducts horses that have had a life-changing impact in public service or on the public's perception of horses; have excelled or are excelling in the area of equine assisted services, and/or have excelled or are excelling in their competitive or public service career after overcoming significant hardship. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) inducts its "Horses of Honor" selected by USEF annually.

Nominations close on December 15.

Nominate here

The Scales of Training are a guide line of for trainers, riders and judges in the basic training of a horse. They are the building blocks to the horse and riders development. Starting with rhythm, then suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness and finally collection.

All our flatwork lessons are based around the scales of training and help to progress the rider and horses way of going.



#training #progress #education

In the Collective Marks section of all of our national dressage tests, there are two score boxes for the rider. The first of these is for “position and seat.” What the judge assesses to determine this score are elements of equitation that are the foundation for effective communication with the horse. A correct, balanced, and independent seat is necessary for successful training and competition.

The test sheets list five directive ideas that the judge considers in formulating the collective mark for rider position and seat:

* Alignment

* Posture

* Stability

* Weight placement

* Following the mechanics of the gaits.

In this first part in this new series from USDF Connection magazine, Jayne Ayers looks at how judges evaluate the rider in the dressage tests, beginning her focus with the first directive: “alignment”.



Filled with helpful diagrams, you won’t want to miss this rider biomechanics article: https://yourdressage.org/2024/10/18/rider-biomechanics/

November 18, 2024|COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS, EQUINE BUSINESS & FINANCE

With the support of the United States Department of Agriculture, the Equine Disease Communication Center is completing a study to determine the awareness and knowledge of biosecurity in the horse industry.

As published by FTBOA. 

The survey takes 10 minutes with responses collected and tabulated by The Matrix Group, a professional firm with experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research in the equine industry. All the information from this survey is confidential. The summarized information will be shared with the horse industry and used to create educational information. 

Click here for the survey.

Click here for Horse World Stories

"One who believes that he has mastered the art of horsemanship has not yet begun to understand the horse."

Author Unknown

Celebrate the magic of the season with the Après Ski Deluxe Holiday Gift Set, a perfect trio for horse lovers and collectors!

• Après Ski Holiday Horse: This dazzling model is draped in seasonal elegance, capturing the beauty of winter with intricate details that will shine in any collection.

• Après Ski Stirrup Ornament: Add a touch of equestrian charm to your holiday décor with this exquisite ornament, perfect for the tree or as a keepsake.

• Après Ski Deluxe Pin: Showcase your holiday spirit with this elegant pin, a must-have for equine enthusiasts.

Packaged together, this set makes an unforgettable gift or the ultimate addition to your Breyer collection. Sparkle and celebrate in true Après Ski style!

Also available individually. Click here for more information and pricing.

Click here for Morgan models

Offering A whole horse Approach to Equine wellness & sports medicine

Clinic location:

11910 Blackwell Road, Central Point, OR 97502

Celebrate the Day!

Visit the facility and attend events all day long with regional vendors, exam & treatment discussions, farrier exhibitions, riding demonstrations and more! 

​

Vendor Application

Please email reception@massievet.com

Our clinic and rehabilitation center addresses the needs of horses and riders -- including full service wellness care, sports medicine & rehabilitation services, podiatry, bodywork, equine day spa treatments, short & long term boarding, and fitness coaching to help your horse return to full mobility and strength.

We offer a range of in clinic and moblie equine veterinary services. ​

​

Pet and livestock veterinary services are available for equine households. We will see your entire farm!​​

​

Schedule an appointment by calling 541-636-1191. You'll see how our thorough and holistic approach to equine care will benefit you and your horse!

https://www.massievet.com/

Top 5 Mistakes Equine Boarding Stables Make

(Click the title to read the article.)

Whether you’re new to running a boarding stable or an experienced professional, common pitfalls can affect your business and client relationships.

Many stables overlook critical details that can lead to serious problems, like using inadequate contracts, tolerating overdue payments, or lacking proper insurance coverage. In our article, we’ve identified the top five mistakes boarding stables make and some helpful suggestions on how to avoid them.

Equine Legal Solutions has downloadable forms tailored to industry needs and designed to be enforceable in all 50 states. With free lifetime updates included, you’ll always have the most current protection in place—no DIY drafting required.

Website: https://equinelegalsolutions.com/

You may mail your renewal form or renew online. Any questions, please give us a call at (859) 287-2470. And, if you are not currently an AMHA member, we invite you to join us today! 

Thank you to each member that makes up this special Morgan horse family! You are important. We’re looking forward to a GREAT 2025!

Click here to join or renew.

Click here to shop

Available now to order online

Click here to shop

AMHA has something for everyone who loves Morgan horses! Browse our selection of merchandise and gift items online, or call our office, and plan to order by December 16th for Christmas delivery.

In addition to the winnings for the different Futurity classes and championships, offspring that are a result of a breeding purchased through the AMHECT/WMF Stallion Service Auction are eligible for additional Auction Rewards and the AUCTION BONUS.

The AUCTION BONUS is $10,000 in additional Futurity money that goes to the first horse (or horses) that is a direct result of the AMHECT/WMF SSA and wins a World Morgan Futurity championship class.

If the winner is sired by a stallion in the TOP 5 of the auction, a BONUS MULTIPLIER of 2x will increase the potential bonus to $20,000.

If the winner is sired by a World Champion Stallion from the auction year, another BONUS MULTIPLIER of 2x will increase the potential bonus to $40,000.

Auction Rewards go to Futurity World Champions whose sires were in the AMHECT/WMF SSA the same year. Owners of the dams and sires of these World Champions receive Auction Rewards money along with the horse’s trainer.

The A.merican Morgan Horse Educational Charitable Trust, Inc. (AMHECT) is a 501(c)(3) organization, and any contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Individuals are encouraged to consult with their financial advisor for specific details on their own tax deduction status.

Click here to go to the bid site. Click on "stallions" and then the stallion you are interested in to pop up the right hand sidebar with more information about them and how they are offered.

From the Desk of the AMHA President and the Executive Director 

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) is actively working with our fellow equine organizations and with the American Horse Council (AHC) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to align with the revised USDA guidelines to the Horse Protection Act (HPA), which will take effect on February 1, 2025. 

These new HPA guidelines stipulate that competition management must notify APHIS of all equine events occurring in the United States. We recognize that this may pose challenges for event organizers. To assist in this process, USEF has agreed to provide APHIS with a monthly report of all USEF and USEF Lite licensed competitions.

As part of the HPA, APHIS has the authority to inspect horse shows to ensure compliance with the soring rule. We understand that such inspections are infrequent at Morgan Horse shows, and many may not be fully acquainted with the requirements. We encourage all participants to approach any inspection with professionalism and cooperation, as these measures are designed to safeguard our breed and maintain the integrity of our sport.

For a detailed summary of the revisions to the Act, please refer to the following link: Horse Protection Amendments.



Historically, USDA has conducted fewer than 50 inspections across the United States each year. However, it is essential for competition management to be aware that, should an inspection occur, federal law requires that inspectors be granted access to the grounds, including stabling areas, to fulfill their responsibilities.

In the coming months, we will collaborate with our industry partners to develop a checklist and additional information for show committees regarding the inspection process and what to expect should an inspection take place.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our equine community. We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to upholding the standards of our sport.

Sincerely,

Steven Handy

AMHA President

s.t.handy@gmail.com

(508) 944-0787

Carrie Mortensen

AMHA Executive Director

execdir@morganhorse.com

(859) 405-0746

Every year, the official breed journal, The Morgan Horse, compiles “Editorial Indexes” listing the annual slate of articles by theme with issue date and page number. If you are a reader trying to locate a special article, the indexes are posted to AMHA’s website and offer a convenient search method. Readers can find the Editorial Indexes from 2003 to 2024 here (while there, you can also explore the dozens of archived articles from The Morgan Horse by clicking on the Select Articles link).

Click here to go to the Index

The Morgan Horse welcomes the foal crop of 2024 with their annual photo contest. Amateur photographers throughout the Morgan industry submitted photos of their finest 2024 foals for a chance to be named a winner!

Categories and judges include: 

Morgan Character – Leslie Arnould

Artistic Composition – Bonnie Sogoloff

Reader’s Choice – voted on via Facebook*

Check out all the photos and winners in the November/December issue of The Morgan Horse.

Join us for AMHA Judges’ School at the 2025 UPHA Annual Conference New Orleans, LA. on: Saturday, January 11, 2025 & Sunday, January 12, 2025.

Large ‘R’s wishing to attend should submit an application form and payment to alex@morganhorse.com by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2024 (5 p.m. Eastern).

Reminder: This particular AMHA judges’ school is open ONLY to those USEF licensed judges that already hold a Large ‘R’, Registered license within the Morgan division.

For full information and an application, visit... 

Application

Articles and news from AMHA:

• Let the World Know Your Horse is a Champion- Enroll in AMHA’s CHAMPION TITLE Program Today!
• AMHA’s 2024 Open Competition High Point and Medallion Results
• 2024 Stallion Service Reports Due January 15, 2025 - See Section 3 of this newsletter for more information.

The AMHA Youth Council is excited to kick start the new year with a new episode of the The Morgan Horse Source! Please tune in on January 15th, at 8 p.m. (Eastern time) for Episode 34: 

"The Ride to Equestrian Excellence" with Meredith Lazar-Meeder. Click the Zoom link below to join the live episode!

Click here to join the episode.

Regardless of the style of riding that you prefer or Practice… whatever it is maybe riding young ones , trail riding, competition from polo to campdraft to whatever it is that you pursue ..

My sensational Sunday suggestion is to think about your seat and how it moves or doesn’t move in time with your horses movement.

Rising to to trot is a basic element of riding that most of us learn when we start out ..this is a wonderful example of moving your seat in time with the horses movement..

How much or how little we rise can greatly influence the length of stride , but how about the sitting trot ..

Can you absorb the movement of your horse’s body through your core ?

And then can you speed you horse up or slow it in the sitting trot and … keep your torso still so that your arms and hands are not bouncing around .?

What about the walk , can you speed up and slow down the walk by exaggerating the movement of your hips?

Can you brace your hips and slow your horse down?

Do you always have your hips braced?

If so you’re getting in the way of your horse’s movement ?

Same with the canter..

Can you speed up the canter by exaggerating the movement of your hips, can you slow your horse down by slowing the movement of your hips?

Are you always braced through the hips and inhibiting the horse’s movement at the canter?

Think of a dance partner who is braced through the body??

Kinda hard to boogy with yeah.

And then what about the angle of the hips..

Do you ride with a posterior tilt ..ie sitting back on your pockets like you’re on the couch??

Do you ride with an Anterior tilt , ie hips tilted too far forward

or a neutral position where you’re sitting evenly on your seat bones allowing for posterior and anterior tilt when required.

Anterior tilt is common when we’re asking the horse to go, posterior is common when asking for a stop..

Are you always saying stop or go with your seat but sending a different message with your hands and legs?

Have a think and a feel about what messages are you sending to your horse via your seat ..

And if you want to seriously improve your riding take a deep dive into learning all about this topic, get lessons, watch utubes , be aware of your seat constantly throughout your ride …

You’ll definitely improve as a rider and the communication that can occur between the horse and rider via the seat is immense.

(Picture Credit to the unknown artist:)

TOP 10 STALLION SERVICES:

MERRIEHILL AFTER HOURS GCH - $24,000

MINION MILLENNIUM - $12,000

MLF DYNAMIC GCH - $11,500

TREBLE'S TIMEPIECE - $11,000

CBMF OVER THE MOON - $9,750

MAN IN BLACK GCH - $9,750

FIRE RUN FAHRENHEIT - $8,500

REVISIONARE - $6,750

DJS SELECT BOURBON - $5,500

STONECROFT MASQUERADE - $5,500

The results of our SWEEPSTAKES STALLION SERVICE AUCTION are in! We raised over $287k this year, allowing us to offer a top prize of $63k to the 2026 winner. We'll also be reserving $51k for our #SuperiorPerformanceIncentive

We still have 4 nice #MorganStallions left whose service can be purchased for $600-$750, allowing your foal to be eligible for the 2026 Sweepstakes Event:

OSAGE IRISH NEWS (Clear Creek Irish x Gossip Girl)

EXCEEDS VINCENT (RWF Dralion x Glorias Display)

CLMF LINCOLN (Sand Ridge Pazazz x JRC Princess)

HPW STUPENDOUS (Sensationalist GCH x Reminiscent)

See all the stallions and information at:

https://superiormorganhorsesale.com/thestallions/

Enjoy the gift of COMMUNITY SERVICE with your friends. Raise money for ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. Work toward PRIZES and SCHOLARSHIPS.

UPHA's Ribbons of Service is a program through which UPHA youth members "ride for the cure" by raising funds for the patients and families of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or an approved non-profit charity. It is open to all youth members who compete in equestrian competitions while riding or driving a Morgan horse. The program was developed to teach youth members the importance of community service by donating their time to those in need. Through this program, kids learn the value of helping those less fortunate.

Click here to learn more

What is School of Ranch?

 School of Ranch is a Central Oregon based 501c3 nonprofit. We hire experienced locals to teach practical and artisan skills, live and in person. Beyond teaching skills and creating paying gigs, we help strengthen our community by bringing people together in person and helping them find common ground, the basis for a strong community.

Central Oregon friends! Anyone know of a free indoor location that would be willing to host the awesome workshops by @schoolofranch?

Contact Mark Gross, (650) 227-6750, mark@schoolofranch.org

Website: www.schoolofranch.org

Articles from the Oregon Horse Council:

• Winter Water Consumption
• NW Horse Source - Trail Savvy: You're Rushing
• LEGISLATIVE ALERT: Farm Worker Housing Being Targeted by Oregon - OSHA
• Hurricane Helene Equine Disaster Relief

The only statewide equine resource in Oregon!

Distributed throughout Oregon at:

Feed Stores – Tack Stores – Equine Events and Shows – Veterinarian Offices – Annual Association Conferences & Banquets – All OHC booths.  Also available as a .PDF and a searchable directory on our website.

SUBMIT YOUR 2025 LISTING HERE

All Equine Related Businesses and Organizations can receive a FREE Classified Listing!

PREMIER classified listings are included with memberships starting at $50 per year.

Now accepting pre-orders for this years MHCWS Calendar.

Each calendar is $35. Orders must be received by December 15th.

For a sneak peek, go to their Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/100064718106898/videos/882816147295309?idorvanity=63832969993

A pre order form will be sent out shortly with the Tales.

Or contact Linda Collins, (206) 200-2099, lcollins13579@aol.com

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

sunstonemorgans@comcast.net

 The AMHA Hall of Fame, AMHA Person of the Year, and AMHA Professional Horseman of the Year awards will be distributed at the UPHA National Conference, which will take place January 8-11, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. All other awards will be distributed at the AMHA Annual Meeting & Clinic Weekend, which will take place March 6-8, 2025 in Newark, Ohio. The three AMHA awards given at the UPHA National Conference will still be recognized at the AMHA Annual Meeting & Clinic Weekend. Visit UPHA's website for more information on the UPHA National Convention, and stay tuned for more information on the AMHA Annual Meeting & Clinic Weekend!

Join us for an exciting weekend of Celebration, Education and Fun at our

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

March 6-8, 2025

Newark, Ohio

Join us for an exciting weekend of Celebration, Education and Fun at our

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

March 6-8, 2025

Newark, Ohio

AMHA is proud to offer a new three-day event showcasing the Morgan spirit in 2025. This new gathering will include an all-day educational clinic at World-renowned GROVE POINTE STABLES, a night of celebration with the AMHA AWARDS GALA, a fun and enlightening evening with a few MORGAN LEGENDS, the grand finale of the STALLION SERVICE AUCTION featuring the stallions with the TOP TEN bids, an industry update with the AMHA ANNUAL MEETING and ELECTION, plus much more with additional forums, meetings, awards, and entertainment. 

 For full information (updated regularly), registration forms and sponsorship opportunities, click here. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Hotel Rooms for our 2025 National Conference have VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY. Book Your Rooms Today!

If you are planning to attend, we recommend that you book your rooms immediately to avoid higher room rates or no availability at all. The hotel is hosting another event during our conference, and we've been informed that additional rooms may not be available outside of our room block, and the block is filling quickly!

(Note: If you had difficulty reserving a room for Wednesday night, March 5th, we were able to add a few more rooms for that day, so you may wish to contact the hotel to add that night to your reservation.)

CONFERENCE DATES: March 6-8, 2025

LOCATION: Cherry Valley Hotel, 2299 Cherry Valley Rd S.E., Newark, Ohio 43055

~ RESERVATIONS ~

Call: 1-740-788-1200 or 1-800-788-8008

~ OR ~ Make your reservation on the HOTEL WEBSITE

.

Room Rate: Single/Double: $149++  

For Group Rate: Mention American Morgan Horse Association Annual Convention 2025

For an abbreviated schedule of events, registration information and sponsorship opportunities, visit the AMHA CONFERENCE INFORMATION page.

We look forward to seeing you in Ohio!

2025 Western Region Morgan Show Dates:

• March 27-30, 2025 - Carousel Charity Horse Show, Scottsdale, AZ REGIONAL
• April 17-20, 2025 - Diamond Jubilee All Breed Horse Show, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA
• May 2-4, 2025 – California Springfest, Murieta Equestrian Center, Rancho Murieta,CA      
• May 7-11, 2025 - Key Classic Benefit Show, Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe, WA
• May 15-18, 2025 - Silicon Valley Horse Show, Pleasanton Equestrian Center, Pleasanton CA
• June 10-13, 2025 - Charity Fair Horse Show, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA
• June 18-21, 2025 - Oregon Morgan Classic, Oregon Horse Center, Eugene, OR
• July 2-5, 2025 – 105^th Santa Barbara National Horse Show, Earl Warren Fairgrounds, Santa Barbara, CA
• July 16-20, 2025 - Morgan Medallion Regional Show, South Point Equestrian Center, Las Vegas, REGIONAL
• July 30-August 3, 2025 - C-Fair Charity Morgan Regional and Open Show, Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe, REGIONAL
• August 21-24, 2025 - PNW Morgan Show, Tacoma Unit, Spanaway, WA
• August 27-September 1, 2025 - Labor Day Weekend - Oregon State Fair, Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem OR. Open & Morgan classes and Breed Challenge. MHAO information booth.
• August 28-31, 2025 - Mother Lode Show, Rancho Murieta Equestrian Center, Rancho Murieta, CA
• September 12-14, 2025 – Labor Day Classic, Del Mar Horse Park, Del Mar CA
• October 4-11, 2025 - Morgan Grand National, State Fair Park, Oklahoma City, OK
• December 4-7, 2025 – 25^th Annual Jingle Bell, Del Mar Horse Park, Del Mar CA

Other Events:

• January 8-11, 2025- UPHA National Convention, Hotel Monteleone, French Quarter, New Orleans LA
• March 6-8, 2025 – AMHA Annual Meeting, Grove Point Stables, Newark OH
• March 21-23, 2025 - NW Horse Fair & Expo, Linn County Fairgrounds, Albany OR
• April 2025 - MHAO Spring Clinic & General Membership Meeting, date and location to be announced.
• April 19, 2025 – MHAO Stallion Service Auction opens by mid-February and closes at 3pm PDT April 19th. All bidding is online.
• April 26-27, 2025 - Oregon AgFest, Oregon State Fair Grounds, Salem OR, MHAO booth
• November 2025 - MHAO Award Banquet and General Membership Meeting, date and location to be announced
• November 21-22, 2025 – Superior Morgan Horse Sale, Shipshewanna IN

MHAO Events shown in blue

For information on Cowboy dressage visit:  http://www.orcda.org/

For information on combined driving events, visit:  http://www.einw.org/driving.html

For information on competitive Trail and competitions visit:  https://www.equinetrailsports.com/events/10054 

For information about events on the Oregon Dressage Society website, visit:  https://oregondressage.com/events/

For a wide array of Equine events, go to the Oregon Horse Council event calendar:  https://www.oregonhorsecouncil.com/events-all/

MHAO Program Deadlines:

Information for the Stable Sheet – the 1^st of each month, publish date is the 10^th

OMC Premium Booklet ads - March 1^st

Membership Directory – March 31^st to be listed as a current year member or for an ad

MHAO Spring Clinic as a rider – To be determined

MHAO Stallion Service Auction Nominations, Sponsorships, or Donations – March 31st (preferably February 28th)

Futurity horse renewals – March 31^st

MHAO Stallion Service Auction Bids – All online auction closes April 20^th at 3pm PDT

Humanitarian Award Nominations – May 1st

Alex Mooney Memorial Scholarship Applications – May 15^th

OMC Show – Close date for entries & for sponsorships to be acknowledged at the show - May 27^th. Futurity class entries to Futurity Chair by June 1^st

Futurity Booklet Ads – June 1^st

High Point Program – 30-days after the event with a final cutoff for the year of September 15^{th, mail in your points}

Ride & Drive hours – October 15^th for the current year

Open Incentive Reimbursement – 30-days after the event to a final cutoff for the year of October 31^st

Futurity Nominations in the year of the foal’s birth – June 1^st to be listed in the Futurity Booklet or be entered in Futurity classes at OMC, December 31^st to get the regular rate of $45. 

Included in the next Sections:

Section 2:

Member News will be combined with January

in the next newsletter

Section 3:

Classified Ads

Advertising Thru MHAO

How to become an MHAO Member

Oregon Horse Council News

USEF News

AMHA News