Some of the highlights of the three-day convention included a tour of the North Carolina State vet school followed by a visit to Tara Farm, and popular seminars included a three-part marketing seminar with Doug Emerson, "The Profitable Horseman," and "What Not to Wear," show ring fashion tips from Dawn Fire and Janelle Schroeder. Dr. Kim Blackwell, a former AMHA Youth of the Year and one of TIME magazine's 2013 100 most influential people in the world was a guest speaker at the welcome reception.
"Many thanks to the Virginia Carolinas Morgan Horse Club for hosting a fabulous Convention," said AMHA Executive Director, Julie Broadway. "We couldn’t have asked for better weather and speakers, or more deserving award recipients!"
At the AMHA Annual Meeting of Members, Gayle Singer and Amy Farley were elected to represent Region 3, Allyson Hughes was elected to represent Region 4; Kris Breyer was re-elected to represent Region 5; and Diana Swanson was re-elected to represent Region 10. Harry Sebring was re-elected as a Director-At-Large. Jeff Gove of Seabrook, New Hampshire, was elected as AMHA president. He takes over for Harry Sebring, who served as AMHA president for three terms.
More than $70,000 was earned at the annual AMHA/World Morgan Futurity Stallion Service Auction. The overall top-winning bid went to Mizrahi for $6,000, which went to Tim and Carol Selinsky. Net income following expenses from this auction will be distributed to the AMHA Marketing Program, World Morgan Futurity, AMHA regional shows, the AMHA Show Grant Program, and for marketing and promoting the breed.
Longtime Morgan supporters were recognized before the Morgan community on Saturday, February 22 for their dedication to the breed at the annual Awards Banquet. Man and Woman of the Year Awards honor those individuals for their continued support of the breed and this year's honorees were Kevin Worsley and Barbara Irvine. Dwayne Knowles was awarded the Cecil Brown Memorial Sportsmanship Award, which is given to a Morgan exhibitor who has displayed outstanding sportsmanship. Inducted into AMHA's Hall of Fame were Jeff Morse and Grace Yaglou. The Breeders' Hall of Fame honors breeders who have produced Morgans that have had a significant impact on the breed. This year's honorees were Festival Morgans, Maine Event Morgans, and Roadshow Morgans. The Golden Reins Award is given to a Morgan professional who has had a 30-year career in training or instruction. Cheri Barber, Kass Booth, Susan Friday, and Barbara Goda were those recognized this year. Carolyn Sebring was selected by her peers as the recipient of the Professional Award. Cairnbrae Irish Rose received special recognition for her work with people with disabilities. Diane Howard and Laura Axsentieff were selected as the recipients of the Morgan International Award for their Morgan breed promotion in Australia. Kelly Kraegel was honored as the AMHA Promoter of the Year for going above and beyond in breed promotion. Suzy Lucine was the first recipient of the Mabel Owen Media Award, which recognizes a person whose body of work adds to the public's ability to learn more about the breed. And finally, inducted into the Show Horse Hall of Fame were DJJJ Ebony Gold, Pond View Portrait, and Quail Run Warlord.
In 2015 AMHA will be holding an Awards Gala on February 28 in Minneapolis.