AMHA Professional Horsemen Award: Jim and Jenny Taylor
Monday, February 10, 2020
Jim and Jenny Taylor of Memory Lane Farm in Ohio have practiced their amazing horsemanship skills across multiple breeds, including Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies and, of course, the Morgan. With their teamwork, the Morgans they have ridden and driven are a significant part of our breed’s show ring history.
Jenny’s formidable style as a jockey has made her among the all-time top riders of park saddle horses with five wins of that world championship. She accomplished this riding Firewind Diva, then accompanied Diva’s son PLS High Pine Picasso GCH to victory three times, and rode Stonecroft Trilogy to his win of the title.
Jim’s driving smarts have brought many notable Morgans to world, Grand National, and regional wins; think of Dragonsmeade Vendome, Firewind Kakewalk, Dragonsmeade Provenance, and CBMF Victory Pass to name a few.
The Taylors are masters of pairing amateur exhibitors with a perfectly prepared equine partner as we have seen time and time again for riders and drivers like Steven Handy, Dale and Jeanne Fuelling, Elizabeth Burick, Joy Scala, and Colleen Johnson.
In addition to their successes in the show ring, the Taylors have contributed to the show horse community by serving on a variety of industry committees. Both Jim and Jenny have served as UPHA Chapter Chairpersons. Jim served on the UPHA Executive Board for nine years and served two years as its president.
Jim also helped organize the UPHA Pink Ribbon Program. Jenny has been a clinician, horse show manager, show committee chairman, and head of UPHA's annual fundraising committee for her local area. She founded The Stallion Sweeps Program that has had a widespread impact on the Saddlebred and Morgan industries.
In 2018 Jim and Jenny received the AMHA Golden Reins Award. This year, the Taylors were chosen by their peers to receive the Professional Horseman Award. It is because they continually give beyond the call of duty in an effort to promote the show horse industry. With a deep abiding interest in the industry, this well-deserving pair has dedicated themselves to the horse show world, both in and out of the ring. We are pleased to honor them with the Professional Horseman Award.
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