The American Morgan Horse Institute (AMHI) Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to build an American Morgan Horse Pavilion at the Kentucky Horse Park with a targeted opening of Spring 2010. The AMHA offices and the National Museum of the Morgan Horse will remain headquartered in Shelburne, VT.

“This is a landmark decision for the Morgan world,” remarked Bob Morgan, President of AMHI, and a member of the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation Board. “The Pavilion will showcase the Morgan breed and stand as a lasting tribute to its legacy and vitality.”

A committee of prominent AMHI Trustees has been appointed to oversee the project. Chairman Richard Hawkins is proud to announce the following members of the committee: Susan Fu, Elaine Galatz, Jack Gatewood, Arthur Perry, Frances Pugh, Mona Skager, and Jill Smith.

Designed by the award-winning architect and Morgan owner, Kee Fu of Dragonsmeade, the main level of the 15,000 square foot pavilion will house an Immersive Theater; exhibits highlighting the Morgan in history, in art, in sport and the Morgan today; interactive kiosks showcasing Morgan farms throughout the nation and a gift shop. The upper level of the pavilion will include offices and a conference room that can be adapted to a classroom for hosting meetings and workshops. The pavilion will be surrounded by a traditional “Kentucky Stone Fence” and a pathway leading to a “Legacy Garden” honoring Morgan horses who have been the champions of the ring and the champions of our hearts.”

A capital campaign has been initiated to raise the $5 million required to build and furnish the pavilion and theater, to develop and place the exhibits, and to landscape the Legacy Garden. This includes an endowment that will supplement the admission fees to support the operation, maintenance and ongoing development of the facility and exhibits.

“The American Morgan Horse Pavilion at the Kentucky Horse Park is a project that everyone in the Morgan world can participate in...from visiting the facility, to placing a brick in the Legacy garden in honor of a beloved Morgan or equestrian friend to sponsoring the immersive theater and other naming opportunities in the pavilion,” said Linda Hall of Carriage House Promotions, who has been contracted to provide project management and is spearheading the fund-raising efforts. “During the course of a six-month feasibility study, which included preliminary architectural design, identification of building costs, and site development meetings with the Kentucky Horse Park, we have identified potential corporate and individual contributors who have expressed interest in pledging significant support to the pavilion initiative. We look forward to announcing some very exciting contributions in the near future and engaging the Morgan community in this lasting tribute to our beloved Morgans and their legacy.”

The grand opening of the pavilion is targeted for May 2010, with full operations coinciding with the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which will draw an attendance of 500,000 spectators, 800 exhibitors, 1,000 press entities, and will be televised, reaching millions. This is one of many events held at the Kentucky Horse Park, which has an annual park tourist attendance of approximately 120,000. The Kentucky Horse Park is considered the national horse park. Exhibits and programs at the new American Morgan Horse Pavilion will engage people from around the world in sharing the wonders of the Morgan horse and its legacy.

For additional information, contact Linda Hall, Carriage House Promotions at (734) 697-5937 or [email protected].