The annual convention of the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) was a resounding success. More than 300 Morgan enthusiasts enjoyed the week-long event held in Lexington, KY, February 15-18. The week was filled with exciting demonstrations and interesting seminars, as well as the AMHA Board of Directors quarterly meeting. The annual stallion service auction, which had more than 70 stallions, brought in nearly $140,000, which will be split between the Association's ten regional shows, the World Morgan Futurity and marketing for the Morgan breed.

At the Board of Directors meeting, Mike Goebig of Kutztown, PA, was re-elected president of the Board for a second term. Retaining their seats for another three-year term were Georgie Green of Allen, TX, for Region 6, and Marjorie Hazelwood of Dorris, CA, for Region 7. Newly elected directors are Carol Fletcher-Churchill of Woodinville, WA, for Region 8; and Loretta Brown of Carrollton, VA, was elected as Director-At-Large.

In other AMHA news, the Board of Directors added two new Association affinity partners in Pre-Paid Legal Services and the Bank of Kansas City.

In terms of the Association's financials, newly appointed Finance Chair Harry Sebring announced that since 1998, when AMHA faced a deficit of $565,000, it now has net assets of nearly $320,000. The Association also is devoted to increasing Morgan awareness and breed promotion, budgeting an additional 50% in 2006 compared to 2005, which will be dedicated solely to marketing and promotion.

Founded in 1909, the American Morgan Horse Association is a non-profit organization serving more than 50,000 Morgan horse owners, breeders, exhibitors and enthusiasts throughout the United States. AMHA serves as a parent organization to more than 90 recognized Morgan horse clubs and national service organizations. It also provides an important link to foreign Morgan horse registries and clubs.

For more information on the Morgan breed, contact the American Morgan Horse Association, Inc., 122 Bostwick Road, Shelburne, VT 05482; (802) 985-4944; www.morganhorse.com.


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