Shelburne, VT — Plans are taking shape for the annual American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Youth Activities, which will take place in Oklahoma City at the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show®, October 8-15. Significant changes will be seen in the program this year, including the inception of a new a Youth Judging Workshop open to AMHA youth members, which will take place of the traditional Youth Judging Contest that was open to any youth college age and younger.

"The Youth Judging Workshop really gives us a chance to focus on our youth already involved with Morgans and give them a fun and educational experience of their own," said AMHA Youth Coordinator, Taylor Royals. "I'm very excited these changes as they will benefit the youth of our breed."

On Friday, October 14, at 8:30 a.m. the Youth Judging Workshop will be held open to AMHA Youth members with two age divisions and four classes to be judged ringside. Ribbons first through sixth will be awarded in each age division at the Youth Awards Banquet on Saturday, October 15.

Also part of the youth activities are Educational Tours, which will be held Wednesday, October 12 and Thursday, October 13 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. In addition to learning more about the Morgan breed and its versatility, tours will provide the opportunity for participants to learn more about careers in the equine industry, meet judges and professional trainers, and get a guided tour of the event, including the competition and behind the scenes in the barn. Open to the public, the tours are specially designed for local schools, groups, clubs of all kinds, and home schooled youth.

Since 1973, the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show® has represented the pinnacle of achievement in the Morgan horse world. More than 1,000 of the world's finest Morgan horses from across the United States, Canada, Austria, and Great Britain are in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to compete in over 250 classes for $250,000-plus in prize money. For more information and updates on the Morgan Grand National, go to www.morgangrandnational.com.

To receive more information regarding the AMHA Youth Activities, contact Taylor Royals at (802) 985-4944 ext. 401, [email protected].  

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. For more information on America’s original horse breed, contact the American Morgan Horse Association, Inc., 4066 Shelburne Road, Suite 5, Shelburne, Vermont 05482; (802) 985-4944; www.morganhorse.com.