The 2005 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show, which celebrated its 33rd year in Oklahoma City October 8-15, was yet another success. The show awarded titles in more than 250 classes. The 1,200-plus entries represented some of the world’s finest Morgan horses from across the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Austria.

The oldest Morgan who competed was 25 years old. For the second year in a row, Futurity French Command was the sire with the most number of offspring competing (47). He was followed by Tug Hill Whamunition with 40 and HVK Bell Flaire with 38. The largest division was equitation, followed closely by hunter pleasure and Western pleasure. California had the most horses entered, followed by Michigan and Ohio.

The reining division increases its numbers each year, and 2005 was no different. Entries made their way to Oklahoma City to compete in this all-Morgan event. The World Champion reiner for 2005 was MorganQuest Native Sun, shown by Heath Herndon for Duane, Shirley and Tané Burris. In reserve was Heartquest Erin, shown by Mark Wilcher for Leroy Stockton.

Longtime competitor Jon Rivers rode his River Riders Romeo to top honors in the World Reining Non-Pro division, with Damon Odom, riding Odom Farms’ Atakapa Waushau, taking reserve.

Heartquest Rachel was the World Champion Reining Snaffle Bit/Hackamore winner, with Mark Wilcher riding for Leroy Stockton. The junior exhibitor, Phillip Meredith, showed his family’s Rough Diamond Rockmysox to reserve honors.

For more information on this year’s horse show, you can log on to www.morgangrandnational.com.



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