MORGANS COMPETE AT THE 2024 DISTANCE HORSE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Press Release - October 22, 2024

Lexington, Kentucky: The 6th Annual AMHA Distance Championships were held August 23-25, 2024, at the scenic Iron Mountain Jubilee in Cripple Creek, Virginia. The ride is organized by the Arabian Horse Association and is joined by multiple breed associations for their breed specific National Championships. This year brought two Morgans to compete in this challenging and enjoyable mountain endurance ride.

Pictured above: Millie Turner with Sunny Afternoon 

Millie Turner of Pennsylvania competed with her Morgan, Sunny Afternoon (Sunny Acres Illuminator x W-B Adulate). Millie and Sunny took home the title of AMHA Limited Distance Champion title for the 25-mile event, placing 5th out of 25 horses in the Distance Horse National Championships Open LD Division, with a time of 3:23 and was named Morgan Best Condition with an overall score of 676.

Pictured above: Sara Lareau with Aikane’s Grand Entrance 

Also in the Open LD Division, Sara Lareau of Vermont rode her 25-year-old gelding, Aikane’s Grand Entrance (Drumlin Pal x BMW Willow’s Celebrity).   The team placed 15th of 25 horses with a time of 4:52 earning the title of AMHA 25-mile Limited Distance Reserve Champion team. 

“Cooper, aka Aikane's Grand Entrance, is a pretty impressive mount at 16 hands with a ground covering trot.  He's athletic as they come and although challenging at home, he is all business at rides.  My other competitive Morgan, UVM Prancelot, had to sit Nationals out and I was thrilled Cooper was game to rise to the occasion.” -Sara Lareau

Congratulations, Millie and Sara, and thank you for your dedication and talent in the sport of Distance Riding. You beautifully, and successfully, presented the Morgan horse in a very competitive multi-breed championship event. Thank you, also, to the Arabian Horse Association for holding this prestigious competition.  For more information, contact Nikki at nicole@morganhorse.com or (859) 446-5109.