The American Saddlebred Horse Association's (ASHA) annual Saddlebred Summit and Youth Conference opened Thursday morning, February 18, at the Lexington, KY, Marriott Griffin Gate Resort and Spa, and a theme throughout will be honoring and recognizing breeding accomplishments.

Thursday's schedule included any number of open committee meetings to consider and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing breeders today. The Charter Club Workshop on Thursday afternoon pays tribute to international breeders of the Saddlebred, among other important topics. Dr. Sue McDonnell of New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania will be speaking and discussing breeding behaviors, and general equine behavior, both Friday and Saturday in open forums. Friday evening's unique cocktail buffet at the Lexington Country Club will honor Saddlebred equitation stars with special note made of the breeders and breeding of Triple Crown winning mounts. Saturday morning's Youth Conference field trip will stop at Nelson Green Stables, where World's Grand Champion Merrill Murray will be an honored guest, John and Tammie Conatser's Carriage Lane Farm, and Martin Teater Stables nearby, where the Teater Family legacy will be on display.

Saturday evening's Saddlebred Ball will recognize the lifelong breeding achievements of Jim Orr of Missouri, with his induction into the Saddlebred Breeders Hall of Fame. Breeder of the Year honors for 2009 go to two individuals whose accomplishments for the year just concluded resulted in the first tie vote of directors in history for that award: Tony Weldon and her powerful Callaway Hills Stable of Missouri, and Kathy Capsuto-Walker of Kentucky, perennially one of the most committed supporters of the Registry's prize programs who enjoyed an especially successful competition year.

And the Lifetime Achievement honoree, Redd Crabtree, is also renowned for his accomplishments in the breeding, raising, and training of great American Saddlebreds. Tickets for the Friday evening reception honoring Equitation Stars and the Saddlebred Ball are on sale at the convention while they last, and by calling ASHA at (859) 259-2742. Registration for the convention and all activities, speakers, and forums is still available, upon check-in beginning at 7:30 a.m. each day.

For full convention details, please visit www.asha.net/ASHA-Annual-Meeting.