MHAO Stable Sheet -

January 2025

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

Please note that these meetings, both conference call and in person, are open to the general membership to attend. We strive to be transparent and keep the membership informed and involved in the clubs plans. As I have mentioned before, the board is here to serve the membership..this is your club! Please feel free to reach out to me or any of the board members if you have questions, concerns or ideas

With that I will ask that if you have not renewed your membership, please kindly do so. Our membership dues are the same as they have been in the past year and with your membership, you have access to the programs that are only available to you, the member.

I look forward to the year ahead as your president. There are always challenges and uncertainty in the future but I am confident that we can succeed and have a great 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

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 Foal Nomination Form

Click here to download a 2025 Foal Nomination Form

For foals born in other years, contact Gay

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

Caffeinated

OTM Total Eclipse

TG Double D Strider

SSLLC Extreme Waze

Bazinga

MNM Snap

Newmont's Roosevelt

Ragtime Oro Blanco

Sarde's Shinning

The Thrill Of it All LBR

Ingate's Eye Of The Tiger

Triple Pines Brooks

NS Fame & Fortune

Roberto Cavalli

Sarde's Shock Wave

ATMF Katmandu

For more information, go to our auction website.

Stallions are just starting to come in.

Click here for information on how to help.

For those following this case - my current understanding is:

• The lien has been paid and the horses will not go thru the auction.
• The horses are together and being cared for, but are not with Bryan.
• There is another legal case pending. It may be some time before it is settled. Until that happens, all the horses need to remain in the area and all together. They cannot be dispersed.
• No donations toward their care is recommended at this time until some things are worked out and a solution for their current/future care is finalized. Something is in process. There are several who are not satisfied that the current needs of these horses are currently being met. They are each offering different solutions to their care until the horses can be disbursed. Where they will go for this interim period needs to be decided first. We need to let it play out.
• There is respect from all involved for the genetic value of the Westwind herd that Bryan has worked so hard to preserve.
• Bryan is recovering but is not 100% yet.

Articles:

• San Francisco Mounted Police - 150 Years of Service
• Lisa Lockhart - Steadfast Barrel Racer
• Microbiota - New Research On The Gut
• Understanding Ulcers In Horses
• Nutritional Benefits of Flaxseed For Horses
• Recipient Mares - Nutrition To Support Embryo Transfer
• Too Hot To Handle - Tackling The Behavior Of Mares In Heat
• Move Over Microbiota - New Research on Stomach Health
• Navicular Syndrome
• The Power Of Protein In Horses

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

#I barrel racing platform offering unedited. AUTHENTIC and extended education

Thank you to Erin Silver for sharing this resource.

Articles:

• 5 No-Cost Ways to Improve Your Performance and Wellbeing

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!

"Horse Person" Podcast: Listen Now!

Lessons from an FEI dressage rider for $5? What’s the catch? 

That was my reaction—and the reaction of lots of other riders—when they saw Meghan Laffin’s post. Why would an FEI dressage rider and assistant trainer to Olympian Kasey Perry-Glass offer her training for…the price of a cup of coffee? 

In late August, Laffin posted a simple offer on social media: $5 lessons, virtual or in-person, for riders of all ages, disciplines, and experience levels.

“I hit post and just hoped for the best… I was really nervous,” she recalled.

Not because of the lessons themselves. Laffin worried how this gesture might be received by an industry steeped in tradition. Her intent wasn’t to undercut other professionals, but rather to create a judgment-free opportunity for riders who might otherwise feel isolated, financially constrained, or unsure of where to turn for guidance.

Listen to this episode of Horse Person. Be sure to hit ‘Follow’ so you get all episodes downloaded to your phone automatically. 

Laffin wanted to offer just a little glimmer of connection and positivity in an industry that felt, at times, fraught with disconnection, elitism, and sometimes, judgement. 

Over the next four months, she worked with more than 100 riders, each with unique challenges and goals—from disciplines like endurance, eventing and dressage. What she gained in return was a deeper understanding of the common threads uniting riders across disciplines and the powerful role we can each play in creating a more accessible sport.

This episode is supported by Nikovian—equestrian riding apparel for home or for shows that feels and performs like luxury, but without the luxury price tag. Use code horseperson15 at checkout for 15% off your purchase. 

In this week’s episode, Meghan opens up about:

• What inspired the $5 lesson initiative and how it aligned with her values of unity and inclusivity.
• The transformative stories of her students, from beginners to seasoned riders seeking a fresh perspective.
• What she learned about the broader equestrian community, including how mentorship can break down barriers and foster confidence.
• How her experience as a Division 1 volleyball player and her career as a news producer led her down an unconventional path to becoming a pro in the equestrian industry.

This episode isn’t just about an unconventional offer—it’s a testament to the impact of compassion, connection, and a willingness to reimagine what’s possible in equestrian sports. 

Horse Person is a podcast hosted by award-winning podcaster and equestrian media professional, Caroline Culbertson. Hit Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or Follow on Spotify, to get biweekly episodes downloaded onto your phone before you wake up and drive to the barn.

"In riding a horse, we borrow freedom."

Helen Thompson

First-Ever Winter Bootcamp in the Northeast: A Unique Opportunity for Morgan Horse Enthusiasts!

The Connecticut Morgan Horse Association is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with the New York Morgan Horse Society, Massachusetts Morgan Horse Association, and the United Professional Horsemen's Association - Chapter 14 to present the inaugural Winter Bootcamp in the Northeast region! This exciting event will take place on March 15-16, 2025, in East Windsor, CT, offering a dynamic two-day clinic designed for riders looking to get show-ready.

Click here to register.

Thanks to a generous donation, the Carolina Horse Park is proud to expand its commitment to carriage driving! This incredible contribution will help raise the profile of carriage driving at the Park and allow us to enhance our support for these beloved events.

Here’s what’s ahead:

 CHP is now the official organizer of the Southern Pines CDE & CT and the Timberland DT & CT, working alongside event managers Marcie Quist and Daphne White.

With access to CHP’s specialized administrative, development, and volunteer management teams, these events are set to shine even brighter!

Funds will go toward upgrading the marathon obstacles and making exciting venue improvements tailored to our carriage driving community.

Mark your calendars for April 3-6, 2025, when the Park will host the American Driving Society’s Preliminary Championships at Southern Pines CDE & CT. Then, join us again for Timberland DT & CT on October 11-12, 2025!

We are thrilled to bring more resources, recognition, and opportunities to the carriage driving discipline and can’t wait to see it flourish in the years ahead!

Photography: Pamela Jensen Photography

#CarolinaHorsePark

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/

Are you breeding your horse this year? An equine industry lawyer shares what mare owners should know about stallion service contracts before signing them.

By Rachel Kosmal McCart

Deciding to breed your mare is exciting and hopeful. But horse breeding is also an inherently complicated, uncertain, lengthy and expensive process. Mare owners can help prevent stressful misunderstandings and costly mistakes by thoroughly reviewing and understanding stallion breeding contracts (also known as stallion service contracts) before committing to breed their mare.

Breeding Methods

When reviewing a stallion service contract, mare owners will want to pay close attention to the breeding method(s) offered in the contract. In the past, horse breeding was exclusively via live cover, and the mare owner had to transport the mare (often along with the mare’s unweaned foal) to the stallion’s location for breeding. While live cover breeding is still standard practice in the Thoroughbred industry, the rest of the horse industry now typically breeds via artificial insemination to reduce risk of harm to the mare, foal and stallion and greatly increase the number of mares a stallion can breed. Mares can be artificially inseminated with fresh semen on site at the stallion’s location, or semen can be cooled or frozen and then shipped to the mare’s location.

Breeding Fees and Costs

When reviewing a stallion breeding contract, the base fees and costs should be clearly spelled out. Typically, contracts include a stud fee (also called a breeding fee), although some contracts sell frozen or cooled semen by the dose. In addition, most contracts include a booking fee, which may or may not be included in the stud fee. For each shipment of frozen or fresh cooled semen, most contracts require the mare owner to pay a shipment fee, a container deposit (or pay for a disposable container), and the mare owner is responsible for the cost of shipping any reusable container back to the sender via express mail.

Prebreeding Requirements

Many stallion service contracts require the mare to have had a veterinary breeding soundness exam prior to insemination, often with a negative uterine culture, before the mare can be bred. In addition, many contracts require an additional examination and culture if the mare does not become pregnant after a specified number of inseminations (which can be as few as one).

Semen Shipment Timing and Methods

Most stallion managers only collect and ship semen on certain days of the week. The stallion service contract should say what those days are, what notice is required prior to collection and shipment, and how the notice must be given. In addition, contracts typically specify what delivery service(s) will be used to ship the semen. Before entering into a breeding contract, the mare owner should thoroughly investigate whether the shipment days and methods seem likely to result in getting semen to the mare’s location when it will be needed. Not every delivery service will work for every location, and some delivery services will only work for certain locations on certain days of the week. In addition, breeding via fresh cooled semen relies upon the stallion being available and capable of producing enough semen to meet demand. If the stallion manager receives more requests for semen than can be fulfilled at any one time, the stallion service contract should state how the stallion manager will decide who receives semen and who does not. Often, priority is given to the mare owners who make the earliest requests, but not always.

Breeding Season Limitations

In addition to semen collection and shipment dates, many stallion service contracts also specify a certain time period that is the stallion’s breeding season. Once the breeding season is over, the stallion manager usually will not inseminate mares on site or collect and ship semen. The contract should specify whether the mare owner has any rebreeding rights for the following breeding season.

Rebreeding Rights

Mare owners should carefully review stallion service contracts to understand what options, if any, they have for rebreeding their mare if she is still open after insemination. Some breeding contracts are simply semen sale contracts – semen is sold by the dose and there are no rebreeding rights at all unless the mare owner opts to pay for additional doses. Other contracts allow for multiple inseminations and/or semen shipments, but there is typically a charge for each insemination or shipment. Rebreeding rights may be limited to a single breeding season, or may extend to one or more subsequent breeding seasons.

Mare Substitutions and Transferability

Mare owners should also understand what options the stallion service contract offers, if any, to substitute another mare. Any substitution options typically require obtaining the stallion manager’s prior written permission, and substitution options are also usually limited to circumstances in which the mare can’t be bred due to death or infertility. If the mare owner doesn’t have another mare to substitute, the money the mare owner has already paid in breeding and booking fees is typically non-refundable. Similarly, if the mare is inseminated and doesn’t get in foal, and the mare owner subsequently decides to sell the mare, the breeding contract may not allow the mare owner to substitute another mare or transfer any rebreeding rights to the mare’s new owner.

Live Foal Guarantee

Not every stallion service contract includes a live foal guarantee. When they do, the live foal guarantee is always limited in some respects, and critical terms such as what a “live foal” means vary widely. Typically, live foal guarantees require the mare to have had certain vaccines during pregnancy and at least one post-insemination pregnancy check within a certain time period. If the mare aborts or gives birth to a dead foal, the guarantee terms usually require proof from an attending veterinarian within a certain time period after the abortion or stillbirth.

Foal Registration

Many mare owners breed specifically for a foal that will be eligible for registration with a particular registry. Before entering into a stallion breeding contract, mare owners should research what the registration requirements will be for any resulting foal, and make sure the contract obligates the stallion owner to take any necessary actions in a timely manner, such as filing stallion breeding reports.

Incentive Programs and Futurities

Many stallion owners advertise that foals sired by their stallions will be eligible for certain futurities and financial incentive programs. Such eligibility is often dependent upon a stallion owner paying into the incentive program each year, so if the foal’s eligibility is important to the mare owner, they should confirm the stallion owner has met the requirements for the year in which the foal will be born.

Whether the foal’s eligibility for an incentive program futurity has any real financial value depends upon a number of factors. Some financial incentive programs require the foal to be born in a certain state, which may or may not be practical for the mare owner. Futurities are generally competitions with cash prizes where entry is restricted to horses that meet certain criteria. Often, the stallion owner pays an annual fee to make the stallion’s foals from that year eligible to compete. In addition, foal owners usually have to enter their foals in the futurity and pay substantial additional fees. Futurities can be for weanlings, yearlings, 2-year-olds and even 3-year-olds, and substantial payment is often required well before the horse owner has any clear idea of whether the horse will be ready to compete by the time the competition date arrives. And futurity fees are typically non-refundable, so if the horse dies or goes lame before the competition, the horse owner probably won’t get their money back. Because futurity payout terms and conditions vary widely and are typically dependent upon a variety of factors, including the number of horses that ultimately compete, a futurity win may or may not result in a positive return on the entry fee investment. ​

Genetic Testing

Equine genetic testing has become relatively simple and inexpensive. It can be an invaluable tool to help breeders avoid producing a foal likely to die or be severely disabled due to genetically linked conditions such as Lethal White Overo Syndrome, HYPP (Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis) and PSSM (Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy).  In addition, genetic testing can help a mare owner who wants to breed for a specific color and/or coat pattern.

Many stallion owners advertise their stallions as having (or not having) certain genetic traits. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the stallion has actually been genetically tested for those traits. Stallion service contracts often don’t include any information about whether the stallion has been genetically tested, and if so, what they were tested for, and what the results were. Accordingly, before entering into a breeding contract, the mare owner should ask to see copies of any genetic testing results that are important to the mare owner’s breeding decision.

Stallion Death, Sale, Gelding or Infertility

Sometimes, a stallion dies, becomes infertile, or is sold or gelded before all of the stallion owner’s obligations under the breeding contract have been met. Often, stallion service contracts don’t address these contingencies. For example, if the stallion dies, is gelded or becomes infertile, will the mare owner be able to obtain frozen semen, or breed to another stallion? If not, will the stallion owner refund any of the breeding fee? What happens if the stallion owner sells the stallion – will the stallion’s new owner honor the breeding contract?

Semen Quality Concerns

Quality of semen varies from stallion to stallion. In addition, how the semen is processed, shipped and stored can greatly affect its potency. From time to time, the equine reproduction professional who receives the semen may examine it and discover it is not of sufficient quality for insemination. If that happens, will the stallion manager replace the shipment? If so, who will pay for the replacement? And what happens if the mare owner never receives any viable semen or doesn’t receive it in time to breed the mare?

Embryo Transfer

Today, some mare owners elect to breed particularly valuable mares, or mares that have difficulty carrying a foal to term, via embryo transfer. If more than one embryo results from insemination, stallion service contracts typically charge a per-embryo fee for each additional embryo. Often, contracts with live foal guarantees specifically exclude breedings via embryo transfer from the guarantee.

Discounted and ‘Free’ Breedings

Many stallion owners offer multiple mare discounts. Sometimes, stallion owners offer discounted or even “free” breedings for mares with certain accomplishments or pedigrees. Mare owners can also purchase discounted breedings through stallion service auctions and other charitable fund-raisers. However, these types of breedings may or may not be subject to the same terms and conditions as other breedings sold by the stallion owner, so the mare owner should ask to see the applicable breeding contract before purchasing a discounted breeding. In addition, “free” breedings aren’t really free. At a minimum, the mare owner usually will still have to pay for collection, shipment, container deposit and container return, and of course the costs of inseminating the mare.

Conclusion

When reviewing a stallion service contract, a mare owner might identify some areas of concern, or important terms that don’t appear to be included. If that happens, the mare owner should politely approach the stallion manager and explain their concerns. Often, stallion service contracts are legacy documents cobbled together from pieces of other contracts that may or may not have been up to date or good quality. The stallion manager may use the same contract year after year with little consideration as to whether it needs to be updated or changed, so bringing contract concerns to a stallion manager’s attention can result in a more thorough and suitable contract for both stallion owners and mare owners. If you need a stallion service contract, ELS offers shipped semen agreement forms and on-site breeding agreement forms that you can purchase and download from our website.

https://equinelegalsolutions.com/

"Horses can recognize human emotions! Studies have shown that horses can read facial expressions and even remember if a person was smiling or frowning when they last interacted. They use this information to adjust their behavior the next time they see that person."

January 14-15, 2025

Harrisburg, PA

The 21st Annual Mid-Atlantic Morgan Horse Sale will be held January 14-15, 2025 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA. The entire two days will be livestreamed allowing you to bid remotely, online, if you are not able to attend the sale in person. You MUST register 24 hours prior to the start of the sale for online bidding.

For more information, Click Here to visit their website

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.

Available now to order online

Click here to shop

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.

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

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.

Congratulations to all, but especially to our local winners!

In the Sport Division:

Dressage Division Winner: MOONRUNE TEMPEST SONATA, owned by James & Karen Breckenridge, Sierra Breckenridge

Ranch Division Winner: RNK ARIGORNS WILD ROSE GCH, owned by Brent & Martha Woodland

Reining Division Winner: TRIPLE PINES BROOKS GCH, owned by Jean Chaney

To see the full list or more information, click here.

The points have been tabulated. Congratulations to our 2024 Open Competition and Medallion Award winners!

The Open Competition Program showcases some of the Morgan breed's best ambassadors, competing in 34 different facets of equine competition based on 8 core activities. In addition to yearly high point awards, Medallion awards for special individual achievement are presented in each of the 8 core activities. For horses attaining the medallion requirements, the honor of bronze, silver, gold, or platinum medallions will be hard to top. 

These winners will receive their awards during the AMHA Annual Convention Luncheon and Awards presentation on Friday, March 7, 2025.

Click here to see the results.

Find your Clan, Find your Tribe, Find your Family

Welcome to Cowboy Dressage World Virtual Shows

Where the Entire World is Welcome!

Come Sparkle with CDW … Virtually!

Click here to see the 2025 schedule

Happy New Year!

As we jump into 2025, we want to share a few Hoof Care Resources to help horse owners seeking to improve and maintain hoof health and quality in the New Year! These resources are free to download, and we encourage you to share them with other horse owners!



We can't wait to see what 2025 has in store for our horses!

This collection of pre-recorded educational presentations features many topics on horse care, ranging from everyday hoof management to more complicated issues such as Laminitis and Insulin Resistance. These presentations provide horse care tips, facts on equine nutrition, and answer questions regarding equine health.

Watch Now

The Life Data^® Product Brochure contains a detailed view of our products, and the research behind them. This brochure can assist you in finding the right products we recommend for your horse's specific conditions. The Product Brochure also contains the guaranteed analysis and ingredients for each product.

Click here to download the brochure

Life Data Articles & Information:

• Video: Managing Your Horses Body Condition In Winter
• Laminitis & Founder E-Booklet to Download

Interesting Facts About Horses

Horses have a great sense of hearing. They can hear sounds from over a mile away and have the ability to rotate their ears 180 degrees to listen in different directions. This exceptional hearing helps them detect potential threats, such as predators, from a distance, allowing them to react quickly. Horses are also able to pick up high-pitched sounds that are inaudible to human.

Horses have unique hoof prints, just like human fingerprints. No two horses have the same hoof pattern, which can be used for identification purposes. Their hooves are also crucial for their balance and movement, and they need regular care to keep them healthy and strong!

Articles:

• New Collaberation Establshed To Combat Laminitis in Pleasure & Work Horses
• Major Equestrian Change Approved As Animal Abuse Concerns Raise More Questions
• BLM Plans To Round Up Extremely Rare Wyoming Curly-Haired Mustangs
• Roughly 70 Wild Horses Seek New Homes in BLM Adoption Event

Read More Trending Stories Here

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

2025 WDAA/USEF Judges Education Seminar

(Open To Auditors)

The 2025 WDAA/USEF Western Dressage Judges Seminar is 3 full days of intensive training for licensed judges and judge applicants. All that hard work is balanced with great camaraderie, networking, and lively discussion. Lunch is provided plus the hotel offers Happy Hour every night! This event will complete the requirement of seminar attendance for USEF Western Dressage licensing and maintenance. Only 1 live seminar is held every year.

REGISTER NOW. SPACE IS LIMITED!

WDAA Membership is required for registration

Registration fees include all instruction, lunch for 3 days, and a Western Dressage Judges Workbook.  All practice tests sheets will be provided.

 ALL REGISTRATIONS must be received no later than Jan 20th, 2025.

AUDITORS ARE WELCOME

For those that are interested in an intense learning experience covering Western Dressage rules, tests and USEF WD judge expectations, we are pleased to offer an opportunity to be a silent spectator and audit the seminar, all meals and judge’s workbook are included. 

NEW JUDGE APPLICANTS

You MUST start your USEF judge applicant dashboard PRIOR to the seminar or the seminar WILL NOT count towards your USEF judging requirements.

LICENSED JUDGES

This seminar will count for your USEF maintenance requirements. You must attend all 3 days.

LOCATION & HOTEL BOOKING:

Embassy Suites Denver International Airport Hotel

7001 Yampa Street, Denver, CO 80249

Hotel shuttles are available at the airport.

• Booking Link: Click Here 
• or call 303.574.3000 and ask for the Western Dressage room block.

DATES & TIMES: 

Friday, February 7 through Sunday, February 9, 2025

Clinic Check-In and packet pick-up is Friday 8 AM - 8:30 AM

Seminar will conclude on Sunday, 3 PM so you can catch an evening flight home.

REGISTRATION FEE:

$550.00

For additional information, contact Gail Matheus at Gail@WesternDressageAssociation.org

ATTENDEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN IN AND OUT EVERY DAY.

NO LATE ARRIVALS OR EARLY DEPARTURES ALLOWED.

Calling all RIDERS AND JUDGES! Increase your Western Dressage knowledge at the 2025 WDAA/USEF Judges Education Seminar February 7-9, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Enjoy 3 full days of intensive training for licensed judges, judge applicants, and rider auditors. 

Click here for full information and plan to attend!

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

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

Join us May 7-11, 2025 as we celebrate our 50th anniversary!!

Stay tuned as we start to announce plans for this year’s show. It will be one for the record books!

You won’t want to miss this one.

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!

- 𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗔𝗠𝗛𝗔 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 -

Hotel rooms for our National Conference, Annual Meeting & Clinic Weekend are selling out, with Friday night already unavailable.

To help assist our members and guests, we have compiled a list of alternate hotels within close proximity to the host hotel.

For a listing of hotels, an abbreviated schedule of events, registration information and sponsorship opportunities, visit the AMHA Conference Information page: https://www.morganhorse.com/.../conven.../annual-convention/

We look forward to seeing you in Ohio!

2025 Western Region Morgan Show Dates:

• March 27-30, 2025 - Carousel Charity Horse Show, Scottsdale, AZ - Not a Regional show this year
• 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
• March or April - MHAO Spring Clinic & General Membership Meeting, Deborah Spence on Western Dressage. Date & location to be announced.
• April 19, 2025 – MHAO Stallion Service Auction opens for bidding February 1st 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 – requested by February 28th but open thru March.

Futurity horse renewals – March 31^st

MHAO Stallion Service Auction Bids – All online auction closes April 19^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 initial nomination rate of $45. 

Puyallup - Information From the Powers Funeral Home

Marcia was born on May 31st 1942 in Arbor Heights Washington (West Seattle) and passed away on December 30th 2024 at the age of 82. She is survived by her husband Leo, Son’s Robert, Michael, and David, and daughter in-laws Lesley and Kim. Marcia is also survived by her 6 Grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

In Junior high and high school Marcia was very involved in the school choir and in high school was the lead in an operetta “The Red Mill”. Marcia graduated high school in 1960 and got a job at Boeing as a clerk in the Secret Control Department where she met her husband of 62 years Leo. They fell quickly in love and she decided to convert to Judaism so they could raise their family together as a Jewish family. Leo’s mother wasn’t so convinced of Marcia’s conversion to Judaism until Robert’s Bar Mitsvah. Marcia and Leo were married on September 15th 1962.

Leo was soon transferred to New Orleans where their first 2 sons were born, Robert in 1963 and Michael in 1965. Soon after Michael was born they moved back to the Seattle area deciding to live in Bellevue where David was born in 1968. They stayed in that house until moving to Puyallup in 2021. Living in Bellevue was great as all the neighbors quickly became fast friends and all the children grew up together and are still friends. Referred to by their children as growing up in “Mayberry”.

Marcia worked with the Bellevue School District as a hearing-impaired teachers aid learning sign language and working with the Deaf. After a few years she applied for a position as Administrate Assistant for Great-West Life where she worked until retirement. She worked her way up to become the office manager.

Marcia and Leo both volunteered much of their time to support their son’s habits and interests. Volunteering in Cub Scouts and later Boy Scouts as Den and Scout masters. Then transitioning to the Morgan Horse club of Washington State where both served as President for the Club. In addition, Marcia was the secretary and eventually manager for the Key Classic Morgan horse show where she spent every mother’s day for 25 years. Marcia also produced the club newsletter, “The Tales” for many years. Marcia’s years working with the club defined her adult life and she made many life long friends.

In retirement Marica and Leo had the fortune to be able to take many fantastic vacations many with her aunt, Betty and Uncle Jim. These included trips to Europe, driving trips to Canada, and many others. Marcia loved to take pictures and took some beautiful pictures on those trips.

Her memorial service will take place at Powers Funeral home on Friday, January 10, 2025 from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marcia Christine Shahon, please visit our flower store.

So many years of service to our Northwest Morgan community! Our thoughts and prayers to the family.

In 2022 Bill Parker was inducted into the AMHA Hall Of Fame. Click here to watch the video

Bill Parker was an Icon in the Morgan World to me. When I came into the Morgan world he was and had trained some of the greats! Seeing him show Houdini and present Bennfield’s Ace were just some highlights. He was always so incredibly nice to me and always teaching and sharing his knowledge.

I will always have the incredible memories of the Park saddle battles that he and Tim Morrell had with Tim riding my beloved Paramounts Mariner and Bill on Courage of Stonewall. Those were some of the greatest classes of showmanship with two incredibly matched horses and two incredibly talented trainers! We were blessed to win more than we lost, but it was always hugs and laughs after! I was and am privileged to have known Bill Parker and called him a mentor and old friend. Rest easy Billy.

Love,

Chris

John Paluga

When John Paluga passed away on November 30, 2024, in Middleburg, Florida, where he had lived in retirement, he did not take his unique knowledge of Morgan breeding with him. He had spent a career sharing it with others in his various roles in the Morgan community. And it lives on in some of the most prolific breeding stock in the Morgan world—the Tedwin-prefixed Morgans.

Retired Morgan trainer John McDonald, states, succinctly, “John was the breeding brains behind Tedwin,” the prefix John shared with his partner Ted Young decades ago. Ted purchased Fiddler’s Contender (Red Pepper x Donna Mae Pepper) as a show prospect from Claire Murphy. Their selection of Waseeka Cajun Queen (Waseeka’s Nocturne x Corrine) as the farm’s foundation broodmare quickly proved John’s breeding savvy. The resultant foal was Tedwin Topic, notable sire of Morgan show horses like Tedwin Tango and Tedwin In Tempo. Topic was also an enormously important sire of Morgan broodmares with four daughters inducted into the Broodmare Hall of Fame. Topic’s half-sister, Tedwin Tremendous (by UVM Flash) is also a Hall of Fame broodmare.

After the closing of Tedwin Farm, John was employed as breeding manager at Fantasia Farm in Guilford, Connecticut, where Serenity Grandmaster, Trijas Mr Pepperlect, and other important stallions stood. He performed the same role when Brad and Kari Beaton started a stallion station at Hillock Farm in Sutton, Massachusetts, where he was reunited with Tedwin Topic, who joined the roster for the final chapters of his breeding career.

John McDonald says that John Paluga, “….paid attention to what worked for other people. And what didn’t work. He became the backbone of each of the breeding programs he influenced. He was always enthusiastic about what he was doing, added a lot to the breed, and always made everyone feel comfortable. John was a real gentleman.”



There are fewer than 60 Morgans with the Tedwin name, but the prefix’s influence enormously exceeds that small number. 

𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗬: 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗠 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡

John Tatum Green passed away peacefully on Friday, December 27, 2024. He was born on May 17, 1937, in Dallas, Texas, to Doris and Leonard Green, and attended the University of Texas in Austin, where he earned a degree in business and graduated top of his class.

On June 15, 1957, John married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Georgie Fulton. The dynamic duo were married for 65 years until her death in December of 2022.

John served on the board of the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) who named him Man of the Year in 2007, was awarded the Cecil Brown Sportsmanship Award in 2012, The Breeder's Hall of Fame in 2013, and, along with Georgie, the Dr. Albert Lucine Promoter Award in 2021. Additionally, he was instrumental in fundraising for a building to house the Association in Shelburne, Vermont. He was a long-time committee member of the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show, chairing the show twice. He and Georgie were the inaugural inductees of the John and Georgie Green Hall of Fame award at the Morgan Grand National and World Championship horse show in 2022, an award established in their name as a recognition of their lifetime of service, love, and dedication to the Morgan horse breed and its people.

John's legacy may be honored with gifts of flowers or in the form of donations to the Morgan Mill Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 13, Morgan Mill, Texas, 76465, or to the Young Adult Alliance Judge's School Scholarship, through the American Morgan Horse Association, with checks made to MHF, 4037 Iron Works Pkwy, Suite 130, Lexington, KY 40511 or call 802.985.4944

The full obituary and memorial information may be found at: https://www.morganhorse.com/media-events/news/detail/11542/

All of us at FIRE RUN FARM are sad to have lost this wonderful honest Morgan gelding Firecrest in cahoots, lovingly known as Chance. Chance lost his good friend a few weeks ago, and never recovered from the sadness. He will be missed by all. So many great riders started on Chance, a true hero of the breed.

Included in the next Sections:

Section 2:

Member News -

December & January

Section 3:

Classified Ads

Advertising Thru MHAO

How to become an MHAO Member

Oregon Horse Council News

USEF News

AMHA News