HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2025 AMHA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The 2025 AMHA Annual Meeting and Conference was held March 6-8th at the Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark, Ohio. This charming venue welcomed over 200 attendees who gathered from all corners of the country to unite in their passion for the Morgan breed. The event kicked off with a Welcome Reception on Thursday evening which gave everyone a chance to catch up with friends and other AMHA members.
Friday morning began with a lovely Breakfast, sponsored by Fire Run Farm, followed by the Grand National Forum with Carol Fletcher-Churchill, C.A. Lee, III, Kelly McFaul, and Cindy Mugnier speaking on the new venue and expected changes and enhancements underway in Oklahoma.
For a lighter means of entertainment, about 50 members attended a Trivia Time – Jeopardy Style activity. There were seven teams in total and fierce competition as each team showcased their knowledge about Morgans and horses in general. Two games were played based on the Bulrush and Sherman levels of the AMHA Merit program, with two winning teams each taking home a giant basket of candy!
ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS
The morning progressed with AMHA’s Annual Meeting of Members which was open to the public for all interested in the future of the Morgan horse. AMHA President Steven Handy called the meeting to order and several reports were presented. See the AMHA 2024 Annual Report for details on the information presented. Cathy Sconzo-Blackburn was elected as the new Central Region Director and Ashleigh Wood and Sharon Boyce Bender were both re-elected as the Eastern and Western Region Directors respectively. See the full list of Board Members on our website.
AWARDS LUNCHEON
Following the Annual Meeting of Members, attendees gathered for an enjoyable Awards Luncheon, generously sponsored by C. Jarvis Insurance Agency, Inc. The Board took this opportunity to present outgoing Director, Harlan Grunden, with an appreciation award in recognition of his many years of dedication and service to AMHA. The next awards to be presented were the AMHA Judges' Milestone Awards honoring Josh Merritt (25 years), Jill Yerger (25 years), John McDonald (30 years), Todd Trushel (30 years), Sandy Sessink (40 years) and Bonnie Sogoloff (40 years). Next up were several coveted Honor Awards. Follow the links to view each of the award video presentations:
Golden Reins Awards - Peggy Alderman, Anne Benson, Bert Earehart & Daryl Hopson
The Cecil R. Brown Memorial Sportsmanship Award - John Velardi
The Dr. Albert Lucine Promoter Award - Alyssa Rose Rogers
The AMHA Therapy Horse Award - Macland Untouchable
The AMHA International Award - Ida Kack
Following the Honor Awards, the Star Awards and Open Competition Awards were presented.
Congratulations to each award recipient. AMHA is truly honored to recognize your achievements and dedication to the breed.
FRIDAY FORUMS
Following the awards luncheon, attendees enjoyed an afternoon filled with several educational forums, including: How to Make Breeding Decisions with Kevin Hershberger, Robert Hughes, Iann Fu Longenecker, Sally Longenecker, Mike Carpenter and Lynn Peeples; Ask the Judge with Karen Homer-Brown, Dwayne Knowles, Cindy Mugnier, and Alicia Owens; and Why Equine Care Is So Critical with Dennis Schlabach, Alicia Owens, Stacy Hennessy and Firman J. Yoder.
All were very well attended, and members agreed, they were enjoyable and extremely informative sessions.
THE STALLION SERVICE AUCTION & MORGAN LEGENDS
Friday evening brought us this year's WMF/MHF Live Stallion Service Auction, which was a huge success! Over 84 magnificent Morgan stallion services were donated, with the Top Ten highest bids advancing to the live auction on Friday evening. The room was electric as bidders vied for their favorite stallions, with an overall auction total of over $109,600 raised to benefit the World Morgan Futurity, Regional Shows, and AMHA’s Show Grant and Marketing Programs. See the Full Auction Results on our website.
Following the auction, attendees were treated to an inspiring discussion by a panel of iconic Morgan Legends, pictured above from left to right: Mike Goebig, Paulette and Stan Bodnar, Judy Whitney Harris, Lynn Peeples and Phil Price, who all shared personal stories and memories of their history in the Morgan industry.
Thank you to Simon Investments LLC and Cottonwood Creek Ranch for their generous sponsorship, as well as our iconic Morgan Legends, and the generous stallion owners, bidders, and attendees, all of whom helped to make the evening such a memorable and successful event!
CLINIC AT GROVE POINTE STABLES
Saturday morning, attendees boarded busses from the Hotel to take them to the highly anticipated clinic, generously hosted by Grove Pointe Stables. The day was an absolute treasure trove of legendary trainers and World Champion Morgan show horses, featuring:
WC Gelding in Hand – Ledyard Solitary Man
WC Stallion in Hand – MJS Dressed In Roses
WC Park Saddle – Dragonsmeade Eltanin GCH
WC English Pleasure – JFE Shotgun Rider CH
WC Western Pleasure – Detweiler’s Mizteri Man
WC Hunter Pleasure – Derawnda Lincoln GCH
WC Roadster to Bike - SHLM Dura Max
WC Pleasure Driving - LC El Matador GCH
WC Classic Pleasure Driving – Ledyard Oberon GCH
WC Classic Pleasure Saddle - Detweilers Outlander CH
Never has there been such a collection of the best-of-the-best under one roof! Thank you to Simon Investments LLC and Cottonwood Creek Ranch for their generous sponsorship of this once-in-a-lifetime event. To view the full clinic, head over to Richfield Video.
SILENT AUCTION
The generosity of AMHA’s members and friends was once again evident at this year’s Silent Auction as well, which featured 26 fabulous items. Donations included farm experiences, magazine ads, jewelry, photography & video packages, equine treats & toys, barn equipment, tack, clothing, gift cards and much more! Bidding was competitive and ultimately raised over $3,600! Thank you to all donors and bidders!
AWARDS GALA
The 2025 AMHA Awards Gala, sponsored by Silicon Valley Ranch LLC, was an elegant and celebratory evening honoring some of the industry’s most dedicated people and influential horses. Prior to the awards ceremony, AMHA presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Grove Pointe Stables for their generosity in hosting the day’s once-in-a-lifetime clinic featuring 10 outstanding World Champion horses!
As the awards ceremony got underway, the following individuals were honored. Watch their award videos linked below:
AMHA Young Person Award - Adriana Day
The Professional Horseman Award - Richard Boule
Person of the Year - Alicia Davis
Breeders' Hall of Fame Awards - Fire Run Farm, Anne Wyland/Ancan Morgans, Funquest Farm
C.A. Tony Lee, III Above & Beyond Award - Carol Fletcher Churchill
Show Horse Hall of Fame Awards - Bada Bing, Carol Dawson GCH, Springmill Superstition GCH
Hall of Fame Awards - Stan and Paulette Bodnar, Barbara Irvine
Congratulations to All!
CONGRATULATIONS & THANK YOU!
Congratulations to all our outstanding award recipients, generous sponsors and all of the members, guests and volunteers who made this weekend one for the record books!
Thank you also to our official event photographer, Howard Schatzberg. Check out all the photos from the 2025 AMHA Annual Conference on his WEBSITE.
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POST-CONFERENCE SURVEY
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR NEXT YEAR'S AMHA CONFERENCE TO BE HELD
MARCH 5-7, 2026, IN HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA!