American Morgan Horse Association Honorees
Tuesday, February 27, 2007

The following speeches were read by Conky Price on Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, during the AMHA Convention in Atlanta, Ga.

AMHA MAN OF THE YEAR -TONY LEE

C. A. “Tony” Lee was honored as the AMHA Man Of The Year

The love for a horse is just as complicated as the love for another human being….if you never love a horse, you will never understand.

                                                                   Author Unknown

This quote is at the center of Tony Lee’s passion for the Morgan horse and the community of Morgan horse enthusiasts he serves in his quest to share our Morgans with the world. It is this deep commitment and understanding of our Morgan community that has led to the countless hours Tony has graciously volunteered to many different organizations, including the Dixie Cup, Grand National, AMHA Board, The Morgan Horse magazine and local clubs. These activities have undoubtedly assisted in the growth and promotion of our horses.

It was in 1983, when the Lee family was first introduced to horses and Morgans when “Santa,” also known as “Maw Maw” and “Pappy,” gave sister Jeannie a Morgan gelding, Reno Nevada King and her daughter, Anna, a pony. In 1984, under the guidance of Scott Thacker, they bought their first Morgan show horse, Granada’s Omen and attended their first Morgan shows, the Dixie Cup and Grand National. By 1988, the Lee family was showing under the Shingle Branch banner at Grand National. Their first world champion was Equinox Tempo in 1989, followed by Granada’s Omen, driven by Anna in 1989, and Tony and his family have never regretted a minute their family has spent with their Morgans.

Tony is blessed with natural talents that many of us in this room have experienced first-hand. He has great flexibility of thought and a sustained ability to problem-solve the most vexing problems we face. And he does this without fanfare, grandstanding, or irritability. He simply figures things out in a quiet, logical way that will benefit our Morgans and their owners. Speaking of strengths, his creative talents have been seen in his many advertising campaigns for major show stables and horse shows throughout the U.S.

Not only is Tony a pivotal contributor behind the scenes, he is a true competitor with his show horses. In the ring, he is focused on the task at hand and works hard to get the most out of his horses. In addition, he has bred and raised some great Morgan horses, which carry the “Lee” suffix. They are sought after show horses. In fact, since 1984 the Lee family has been a strong presence in the Morgan show and breeding arenas, having garnered world championships in all divisions.

Tony has owned and bred some of the most prominent horses in the Morgan breed, including Queens Vanity Flair, Liberation Starbrite, Robert E Lee, Airegantlee, Aristrocraticallee and the young breeding stallion Astronomicallee. Many will recognize these other notable show horses including Saralin’s Commandant, UC Top Brass, Triton Royal Dawn, Funquest Altair, Noble Commandress and French Design, all campaigned by Tony and family.

These contributions to the Morgan world are staggering; but undoubtedly, the most important attributes that rise to the surface as we celebrate Tony Lee’s gifts to our community are his personal qualities. Tony is charitable of spirit. He is supportive of all our horse shows, with generous contributions of time, talent and capital. He is ethical, empathetic and compassionate. He simply is a great person.

And so today, please join in the celebration of a man who has made enormous contributions to the Morgan breed. And why does he do so much for us? I think we know why, but -

….if you never love a horse, you will never understand.

Congratulations, Tony.

AMHA WOMAN OF THE YEAR - CHRIS CASSENTI

Chris Cassenti was chosen as the AMHA Woman Of The Year.

To paraphrase a line in Peggy Jett Pittenger’s book, Morgan Horse,s where she describes a typical Morgan demeanor, “What she does, she does well, cheerfully, jauntily and with her own inimitable style.”

Some people would find this comparison between a horse and their own temperament a disparagement. But not to the 2006 AMHA Woman of the Year. This year’s recipient wears many hats within the horse industry. She is a trainer, instructor, judge, show chairperson, clinician, author, volunteer and mentor. She has trained such notables as Beam’s Nighthawk, Lady’s Enticement, Successive Endeavors NKS and UVM Valcour. Her “Stable of Stars” has included Brooke Gove, Katie Moynihan and Caitlyn Harrigan, among others. She is the chairperson of the UPHA 14 Horse Show and also hosts several tournament shows at her farm in Rowley, Mass.

Christine Cassenti, the second of three daughters, was born in Woburn, Mass. Chris’s dad, Henry Connolly, also was a Morgan horse lover and always kept a horse for family use.

Much of the experience gained in her early years was at a farm owned by Leo Dougherty, also in Woburn. Other early mentors included Arthur Reale, Joe Arigo, Gerry Kenny, Connie Batista, Tony Tumbarello and James Fenton. Chris credits Dana Wingate Kelley, a personal friend of Chris’s father, with steering her in the direction of the Morgan breed.

Lyman and Ruth Orcutt, Dr. S. Robert Orcutt and his wife, Pat Tataronis and Dayton Sumner also were influential in Chris’s early years as a professional. Lyman, Ruth, and Dayton convinced Chris to get her judge’s card as a way of giving back to an industry that had given her so much. Today Chris is a well-respected judge, holding judge’s cards with the New England Horse Council and USEF.

Chris began showing and training horses in 1961 and by 1968 she started teaching and training as a professional. Early Morgans in training were Bar-T Sentinel, Townshend Melodistar and High Hills Patrick. She also took great pride in buying an underestimated horse and turning it into a winner.

In 1978, Chris and new husband Larry Cassenti purchased a small house, barn and several acres of land in Rowley and named it Chrislar Farm. This award-winning establishment has been featured in a variety of media outlets including a video titled “Horseman’s American Barn Tour,” praising the unique and stylish design of her barn.

Chris is convinced that Morgan horses and riding contribute a tremendous amount to people’s lives and actively seeks to promote the entire horse industry—not just her program. She frequently makes herself and her facility available to give educational talks, demonstrations, or seminars.

The Morgan youth group Rising Stars uses Chrislar Farm for their monthly meetings. Chris is also a certified Horsemastership Examiner for the AMHA Youth Horsemastership program and has volunteered as an official judge for the AMHA Youth Horse Judging Contest.

Perhaps her greatest achievements relate to Beam’s Nighthawk and Ladys Enticement. Under the direction of Chris, Nighthawk has won more Road Hack Grand National Championships than any single horse in the history of the breed. Ladys Enticement has won more Ladies Park Saddle Championships than any other single mare. Another sentimental favorite is UVM Valcour, World and Reserve World Champion Hunter Pleasure winner. Winning the Open Hunter World Championship with Valcour ranks among her most memorable show ring moments.

Chris Cassenti has a cool head and a warm heart. She enjoys a good working relationship with trainers, instructors, breeders and owners and is always eager to share information about the Morgan business, marketing, sales and trends in the industry. She has introduced many people to the breed, but it doesn’t stop there; she continues to instruct, advise and support owners and has made a long-term commitment to those who seek her support to realize their dreams. Morgan enthusiasts, like Chris Cassenti, will ensure the survival of this breed for generations to come.

Congratulations, Chris, on being the 2006 AMHA Woman of the Year.

AMHA HALL OF FAME AWARD - MONA SKAGER

Mona Skager was inducted into the AMHA Hall Of Fame.

In her early days in the motion picture industry, she worked with the likes of George Lucas. She did a number of jobs in the film industry, eventually becoming an associate producer working with Francis Ford Coppla. Her film producer credits include such films as “Apocalypse Now”, “Godfather I & II”, “The Conversation”, “The Rain People”, “Hammett” and “One from the Heart”. She appeared in “A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American Zoetrope.”

Some of you may have guessed by now that we are honoring Mona Skager this evening. Mona’s contributions to promote the Morgan horse are impressive, much like her work in motion pictures.

Mona served on the Show Committee for the Morgan Grand National and World Championship Horse Show for 12 years where she was first the awards chairperson and later used her artistic talents to design and decorate the fairground show arenas in Oklahoma City. The Show Committee is a volunteer organization that takes a considerable amount of time and effort to produce a successful show. The show has grown each year and many people have enjoyed the variety of designs that Mona has used for the main arena, including some terrific pyrotechnic finales. Always with a pleasant smile and helping hand for exhibitors, she was a great asset to the Grand National Show and remains a wonderful ambassador for the Morgan horse.

Mona is an active member of the American Morgan Horse Institute and was the chairperson for the AMHI’s Nominating Committee for members to this year’s AMHI Board.

On the local and regional level, Mona also has been very active promoting the Morgan horse. She was the president of the Redwood Morgan Horse Club for 10 years; she chaired the Morgan Classic Royale Horse Show in Santa Rosa for many years; and for the past eight years has chaired the show in Monterey, Calif. Mona also served on the Golden West Region VII Council that honors breeders, exhibitors, trainers and provides youth scholarships each year on behalf of the Morgan clubs in Region 7.

Mona also has been involved with Morgan horses as an exhibitor for several years. She has been seen driving or riding such horses as Main Line Felicia, PHF Milano, Nanton Noble Motion, SA Lisette and Miss Voodoo. A friendly competitor she has won several blue ribbons and championships.

In addition to her generous time and effort for the Morgan breed, Mona finds time to volunteer and work with hospital foundations in San Francisco and film festivals in various parts of the country.

Please welcome Mona Skager as we induct her into the American Morgan Horse Association Hall of Fame.

AMHA HALL OF FAME AWARD - LARRY BOLEN & ROBERT BURGER

Larry Bolen and Robert Burger took their well-deserved place

in the AMHA Hall Of Fame.

 “We just planned to get the best broodmares we could buy and cross them with the best stallions we could breed to.” While this may not sound like the detailed plan of a business manager’s dreams, it certainly was the basis for one of the most successful Morgan horse farms in the last quarter century.

Cedar Creek Farm was established by Larry Bolen, Robert Burger and John Wehmeyer on 18 acres near Toledo, Ohio in 1974. Their first purchase was Whitmorr Bellanna, a great park saddle horse in her own right, who went on to produce World Champion Cedar Creek Giselle and show ring stars Cedar Creek Illusion and Cedar Creek Jasmine. Not a bad way to kick off a new venture.

As a goal started to formulate, so did a breeding herd. The team soon purchased two Vigilmarch mares with foals by their side; one of those foals was Overlook Lucinda, who later produced Montbelle Rosalie. Other foundation mares included Serenity Anna Rose, Downers Dantrice and Fantasy’s Julieann. In 1976, the first foals bearing the Cedar Creek prefix were born. When it came to naming their foals they decided to follow their ABCs; each year foals were named according to a letter of the alphabet, the first year all the names started with A. This worked fairly well until they got to X, luckily only two foals were born that year, Cedar Creek X’s And O’s and Cedar Creek Xanadu.

In 1977, they purchased their first stallion, Serenity Fleetwing, a son of Black River Thor. Two years later, after already deciding they wanted an In Command/Trophy bred stallion they found I Will Command. At the time he was not for sale, but in another two years “Willy” was successfully purchased from Dr. John Stoker of Pennsylvania. Trophy’s Jade eventually was added to the stallion roster at Cedar Creek along side his sire.

In time a deal was struck with Dale Redding to breed two of his mares, Southview Supersally and Southview Whisper, to I Will Command. Instead of stud fees, Redding paid with foals from the crosses, one foal for Cedar Creek for every one born to Redding. Results of this unique deal included Nonchalant, Mallory Square, Southview Lucky Strike, Brief Encounter, Paparazzi, Southview Super Megan, Southview Commander and Cedar Creek Quartermaster.

One hundred and ten horses have been bred with the Cedar Creek prefix. The number of local, regional, national and world championships won by Cedar Creek horses, and their offspring, is almost as impressive as the thoughtful dedication put into their program and into the Morgan breed, by Larry Bolen and Robert Burger.

Congratulations Bob Burger and Larry Bolen on your induction into the American Morgan Horse Association Hall of Fame.

AMHA HALL OF FAME AWARD - WOODROW & VIVIAN HENRY

Woodrow Sr. and Vivian Henry were honored

as AMHA Hall Of Fame inductees.

Horses always have been a part of Vivian White Henry's life. Her paternal grandfather always kept beautiful high-stepping pairs to pull carriages to take the White family to church on Sundays.

You might say that Grandpa White was obsessed with horses. He would go to weekly sales and bring back young horses of any breed.

When Grandpa White died at an early age, he left his wife and six children to farm the land and tend the horses.

As Vivian grew into womanhood, Woodrow Henry came on the scene. The city boy, who loved fast cars and motorcycles, knew that the only way he could win Vivian over was to love horses.

It wasn't long before Marsha Jane and Woodrow Wilson Henry Jr. were added to the family. As they grew, so did their love for horses. The family made trips to horse shows and to Morgan breeders in the New England states. One trip led them to the New England Morgan Horse Show where they were impressed by a horse named Waseeka's Nocturne and handler Johnny Lydon. The Henrys were hooked. These trips led the family to Maine and that was the beginning-a mare for Marsha and a Hackney pony for Woody.

But it was in 1960 when the family moved to Bobbin Hollow Farm, in Amherst, Mass., that Vivian's longtime dream was fulfilled. Children and horses, an indoor arena, a swimming pool, broodmares and the plan to start the family's summer academy came to fruition in 1964. With children and counselors from all over the world, one of the highest rated and best known equestrian camps in the United States was established where young girls were exposed to the Morgan horse world for 30 years.

After the sale of Bobbin Hollow, Vivian and Woodrow moved to Florida and established Bobbin Hollow there. Woodrow Jr. and his daughter, Lark, have a training program for young and old equestrians alike. The legacy continues: Vivian's great granddaughters, Isabelle and Jordyn, are actively breeding and showing Morgan horses.

Vivian and Woodrow Sr. are still actively involved with the day-to-day operations in Naples, Fla. Please join us in welcoming them into the Hall of Fame.

AMHA BREEDER’S HALL OF FAME AWARD - CHERI BARBER

Cheri Barber was delighted to add her name

 to the AMHA Breeder’s Hall Of Fame.

Tonight’s Breeder’s Hall Of Fame Award winner has certainly put her stamp on the vintage Morgan she has raised. Her strategy has always been to breed Morgans that look like Morgans and are trainable. This has translated into breeding an array of champions, many of which she has trained and shown herself to top honors. Successful hardly begins to define the accomplishments of Cheri Barber.

As a trainer, Cheri started with Arabians and Saddlebreds. She quickly focused on Morgans when she discovered their tractability and met the wonderful people associated with the Morgan world. Through the years, she has trained horses to the highest levels of brilliance. Literally thousands of ribbons define her abilities locally, regionally and nationally. She has won in many disciplines from the in-hand, driving and saddle divisions. When Cheri brings a horse to the show ring, knowledgeable competitors begin to look around to see who'll be in second place.

Breeding defines 40 percent of her program. Intrigued by Treble's Morgan Manor's program, she started her mare string 25 years ago with a Willy Wild daughter, Double M Temptation. Both Carol Hudson of Treble’s Morgan Manor and Cheri say that Temptation was "the prettiest baby they had ever seen. I paid $1 down and the rest when I sold my Arab." This amazing mare went on to produce 11 foals, six of which achieved world or Grand National acclaim. And she was the foundation of Cheri's breeding program.

Cheri stood a pair of the breed’s most noteworthy stallions Treble's Willy Wild and Tug Hill Commando at her farm. They were joined by Cheri’s up and coming stallion Three Wishes, sired by Noble Flaire and out of Double M Temptation. It wasn't until the late 1990's that Cheri decided to identify her breeding program with its own prefix. At that time she chose "Grand Cru" and this name has been synonymous with excellence in the Morgan world.

Through the years, the record speaks for itself. She won a coveted Morgan Breeder Sweepstakes with a champion and reserve champion that she had bred and trained, the only breeder/trainer in the Sweepstakes history to do so. Her stallion crop extends from California to England. The get have been proven in performance as well as in in-hand. The ribbon count at all levels numbers thousands.

Cheri's focus continues to be on producing beautiful horses that are trainable. It is important to her that other trainers look for her horses to buy for their clients since they know that they get such a horse. She has often said, “I want to breed horses that will win for other trainers.

"The best part about being a trainer and a breeder is the wonderful people I've met. It makes me glad to go to shows. I am thrilled watching one of my clients win with a horse I bred and trained. I'm a small breeder compared with many others. I would rather have four great mares and a few stallions than a host of mediocre ones. This allows me to have the time to focus on training horses that will be winners for my clients. Some of these clients in turn have become my best friends and partners. I am grateful for all of them. I'm sure I've got the best clientele and partners in the country."

Her clients appreciate her abilities for as Jerry and Shirley Modell say: "When you look for a trainer, you want someone who can not only train well and give you good advice about your goals, but one who also has compassion for the animals in her care. Cheri meets all those criteria and more. She is a great trainer and knowledgeable breeder. In our hearts she is family. We are grateful she came into our lives."

John Scheidt of Stonecroft Farm added, “Cheri's dedication to the Morgan breed is very admirable. From the show ring to the breeding shed she has always been top notch. The long term relationship, both professionally and personally, that Don and I have shared with Cheri has been very important to us.”

This unswerving focus on quality breeding and putting in the hard work to train to perfection is what sets Cheri Barber apart. Her record proves the wisdom of her approach. The AMHA is proud to welcome Cheri Barber into the AMHA Breeder’s Hall Of Fame.

AMHA BREEDER’S HALL OF FAME AWARD - ROLLAND & JOAN BOWERS

The late Joan Bowers and husband Rolland Bowers

 who earned their place in the AMHA Breeder’s Hall Of Fame.

Joan Roden’s love for horses became evident as early as six years of age when she would coax the neighbors pasture horses over to the fence so she could climb unnoticed up onto their backs. After many arguments with her parents about wanting a horse, they reluctantly bought her a stubborn, nasty Saddlebred. This bad experience did not discourage her admiration for horses even though the horse had to be sold. She was not going to let this destroy her dreams and not much time went by before she would become the proud owner of a half Morgan gelding.

Since “Topper” was a young horse, the two raised each other for over 20 years learning to count, bow, do patterns with no saddle or bridle and provide her with constant companionship. Her communication skills with horses just seemed to come naturally.

This pair stayed together well into her college years when Joan and Topper left Ohio to attend the University of Miami where she water skied on the college team and performed in the pyramid at Cypress Gardens. Being a restless young lady with big dreams, Joan and Topper moved to the Golden State of California, which in the 1960s was still thought to be the land of the Wild West and a mecca for horse lovers ready for new frontiers. 

But Joan’s life reached new heights and took on a new importance when she met a young dentist from her home state of Ohio on the snowy ski sloops of Squaw Valley. Soon afterwards, 43 days to be exact, they were engaged and became Dr. and Mrs. Rollie Bowers the following month. When introduced to the Morgan community, everyone was so nice and eager to help them complete their quest for a riding horse for Rollie that they ended up with a three in one package. And now, as you would guess, they were in the horse business and soon began to test their skills in the horse show arena. 

Establishing the farm name of Morgan Manor and the prefix of “Mantic” only heightened their desire to excel and led them to the realization that this would require better horseflesh than what they had to be competitive. During a trip to New England in the winter of 1969, in their pursuit of excellence, they visited many horse farms including the University of Vermont before discovering Waseeka Peter Piper. They immediately fell in love with him and before one could imagine, he was on his way to his new home in California. The purchase of this three-time Reserve Junior Champion Colt at New England Morgan put them on the map and stamped their identity on the West Coast. 

Before the days when the western horse enjoyed the presence that it has today, Joan was one of the first trainers to show in in-hand, park, pleasure, English and western all at the same show. Their full-service training facility was rounded out with the accompaniment of their daughter, Tami, who promoted and added to the sales by showing junior exhibitor horses such as Mantic Moonshot, Mantic Piperson, Mantic Tinkerbelle, Mantic Monarch and many others. Morgan Manor was a family operation and supported youth whenever the occasion arose. 

Over the years they have been responsible for over 500 foals by furnishing stud services to outside mares and produce from their own mares under the Mantic prefix. What a ride it has been for them under the Mantic prefix which means, “to be able to foretell the future.” Joan and Rollie have bred, trained and shown numerous Morgan horses that will always be in the memories of many of us.  During their career they have had the excitement of working with such great horses as Waseeka Peter Piper, Westenfeld Cormandy, Mantic Emperor, Mantic Maharajah, Mantic Piperson, Mantic Peter Frost, Mantic Top Gun, Mantic Diva, Mantic Moonshot, Mantic Taj Mahal, Mantic Bullseye, Mantic Boogie Belle, PWF Good Will Hunting and HVK Port Au Prince, just to mention a few. Most recently the Reserve World Champion Stallion RJM Pardon My French and his world champion son, Mantic Excalibur, excited the audiences with their performances.

Joan Bowers lost her valiant fight against breast cancer on Saturday, Feb. 3. Before she passed away, though, she was told of the honor she and husband Rollie were to receive at the 2007 AMHA Convention.

This prestigious award, selected by their peers to be included in the American Morgan Horse Association Breeders Hall of Fame, is an everlasting token of appreciation for their love of the Morgan horse and its community. Let us all honor Joan and Rollie Bowers for their contribution to the Morgan Horse!

AMHA BREEDER’S HALL OF FAME AWARD - CAROL HUDSON

Carol Hudson and her Treble’s Morgan Manor
         breeding program earned their place
          in the AMHA Breeder’s Hall Of Fame.

It all started with a dream and an artist’s eye. The dream was to breed horses that were typey, beautiful, and would win in the show ring. The artist part was God’s gift to Carol. While studying art in college, Carol said, “I closed my eyes and saw the look I wanted to create,” As this is what Treble’s Morgan Manor is all about.

Breeding Morgans rather than being in the show ring with them was what Carol chose. At the time, some 30 years ago, it was thought that consistency was virtually impossible to achieve. Carol disagreed and so did her mentors, the folks at Waseeka Farm and Lyman Orcutt. Line breeding was the key. So Carol had her goal clearly in mind: “To breed Morgans that I believe in and are marketable. I have a passion for breeding Morgans that are distinctively exquisite in appearance, have a great attitude for multiple disciplines, and that these factors would be consistent through generation after generation.”

She started with a stud named Quakers Acre Treble. Although he was a bit ahead of his time as measured by what was in vogue in those days, this horse fit the image that Carol wanted. He was elegant, stretchy and typey. “He fit my dream image.”

Then came Willy. Treble’s Willy Wild was in Carol’s words, “the most perfectly proportioned horse I ever saw.” And with his dished face, large liquid eyes and delicate ears, he was the model of an artist’s dream. “Willy defined my breeding program and I wanted to find a stallion to perpetuate the look by breeding Willy’s daughters.”

It took her four years to find the right stallion. It was Tug Hill Commando. “I found the Golden Cross, Willy daughters bred to Commando.” This combination produced legendary offspring. These foals, and in turn their get, have gone on to win more than 250 world and national titles. And other Commando and Willy foals from outside mares won thousands of ribbons across the country.

What was important to Carol was that the sons and daughters of her breeding all seemed to share similar characteristics. She tightly controls the crosses and always has a goal in mind. What’s more is she does the foaling work herself.

It was four years ago with Carol’s deteriorating health that she began winding down her breeding program. Willy had died, Commando was getting too old to keep up his busy breeding schedule and her other stallions had been sold. Her husband, Chuck, was instrumental in encouraging her to keep going. Being as convinced that her breeding line was tightly inculcated in her mare herd, she agreed to begin breeding her mares to outside stallions. This marks a new goal for Treble’s Morgan Manor, to perpetuate the Treble influence using her four mares (yes you heard correctly, she only has four mares) bred to outside stallions to produce Morgans in keeping with today’s preference for stretchier, bigger, and increasingly athletic type.

Carol credits her partners, such as Lisa Nyberg and Drs. Jerry and Shirley Modell, Luman Wadhams and Cheri Barber among others for much of her success. And it is through others that Carol derives her greatest pleasure. She says “my greatest thrill is to be sitting next to a client and friend at Grand National and see the tears of joy streaming down her face as her horse that was one of my golden cross foals, goes undefeated for two years in a row. My happiness is to count the wonderful friendships I’ve made through my breeding program.”

Carol says, “I’ve always had goals, not to be the biggest, just the best. I’d breed Morgans even if there weren’t horse shows.”

While small in numbers and large in accomplishments, the breeding program of Carol Hudson and Treble’s Morgan Manor has put an indelible mark of greatness on the Morgan world.

AMHA BREEDER’S HALL OF FAME AWARD - PHILIP & JENNIFER DUBOIS

Philip and Jennifer Dubois’ accomplishments with

their Otter Brook breeding program led them

 to the AMHA Breeder’s Hall Of Fame.

Jennifer and Phil have been breeding Morgan sport horses for 40 years and through the Morgan Sport Horse Association (MSHA) founded and nurtured by Jennifer, have helped and encouraged other Morgan owners to breed, train and market their own sport horses. They also have helped many breeders and owners by teaching driving, groundwork, long lining and dressage at clinics across the country. The MSHA provided among its many services of promotion and recognition to the often-neglected sport horse breeder, an attractive stallion roster of Morgans who had competed in the horse sports in open competition. The MSHA was the first breed sport horse association, later emulated by the Arabian horse, Appaloosas and other breeds. MSHA also was complimentary to, and never competitors with the AMHA. After 20 years, Jennifer dissolved the MSHA because there had developed within AMHA an active and influential Morgan sport horse constituency.

Jennifer and Phil aimed to breed strong, solid horses with good conformation, generous and enthusiastic personalities and receptive intelligence. Their breeding stock was principally old Government, Cornwallis through Select Of Wind-crest, Upwey Ben Don and a dash of Lippitt. The foundation stallions were Applevale Voyager and Jesta Venture, both of whom had successful show careers, Voyager as an in-hand champion and amateur park saddle horse and Venture as a champion roadster. Later on, Voyager was a dressage horse and Venture a gorgeous carriage horse.

Voyager produced out of the champion in-hand and park saddle mare, Briarwood Brenda Ash, Otter Brook Galahad and Otter Brook Jubilee. Galahad was a champion roadster before going on to be an outstanding combined driving horse. Out of UVM Rainbow, Galahad sired Otter Brook Opal, a pretty mare with beautiful movement who excelled in combined driving, dressage, hunter, hunter pace and low level eventing. Otter Brook Jubilee, a 16-hand seal brown beauty, was trained to high level dressage, but never competed due to a heavy breeding schedule and the farm’s focus on driving events. He has sired many lovely sport horses.

The very first horse to bear the Otter Brook prefix was Otter Brook Alida, who was ridden by Jennifer at the first Grand National to the Amateur Pleasure Saddle Grand Championship. Like many other Otter Brook horses, Alida had an illustrious show career before becoming a champion sport horse as a partner to Greene Acres Debbie to form an outstanding pair, and later on an even more illustrious tandem winning many honors at shows like Walnut Hill. Debbie was bred later on to Merri Lee Voyager (an Applevale Voyager son and himself a beautiful moving and successful carriage horse) to produce Otter Brook Piaffe, a beautiful black combined driving mare for Jennifer. She in turn was bred to Drumlin Super Speed to produce Otter Brook Xenaphon, who became a champion hunter pleasure horse with Josie Davis and now stands at the UVM Morgan Horse Farm. Super Speed was bought as an old Government outcross for the mares that were the offspring of Voyager and Venture. He is a big 16-hand impressive horse with a wonderful temperament and beautiful movement. Jennifer drove and rode him to many successes in the carriage world.

Please join us as we welcome Phil and Jennifer Dubois into the AMHA Breeders’ Hall of Fame.

CECIL BROWN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD - CINDY MUGNIER

Cindy Mugnier (center) received the award from

Jim Brown, Karen Homer Brown and Guy Brown

 along with AMHA President Mike Goebig.

The definition of sportsmanship describes an individual who conducts themselves with an attitude of fair play, courtesy, a striving spirit and grace in winning and losing. How befitting that tonight’s AMHA Cecil Brown Sportsmanship Award winner should be receiving this honor. The letters that were submitted to AMHA in support of this nominee repeatedly used the words friend, role model, class and style. For anyone who knows her, you will surely agree that these are indeed apt descriptions for Cindy Mugnier.

Her professionalism and grace are always present, whether placing a championship ribbon on a horse’s neck, or tying up a tail after a not so good class. Cindy has not only taught her students how to ride like a champion, she has served as an inspiration and a role model.

Cindy Mugnier was born and raised at her parents’ Morgan Farm, Pinehurst Acres, in Granby, Mass. She loved riding from an early age as she spent time showing, trail riding and in the Bit N Bridle 4-H Club. At a young age, Cindy learned the value of hard work, determination and setting goals as she earned scholarships from seventh grade through college.

Family has always been very important to Cindy. Cindy has always been there-from working her dad’s Standardbreds when he became ill, to making it possible for young family members to ride and show at her Fox Meadow Farm, to caring for her elderly aunts and most recently her beloved husband, George.

Cindy is a tireless worker, supporter and volunteer. Whether it is local or regional 4-H groups, the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association, the Fox Meadow Youth Group, the AMHA Judging School, or the police and fire departments as well as the athletic teams in her lifelong hometown of Granby, Cindy’s contributions are well known.

One of her former students wrote, “Cindy was not only my instructor but a friend, a second mother, and a role model. Her unique teaching style has always pushed me to perform to the best of my ability. Cindy has taught me the fundamentals for being a true horsewoman. Having a background as a schoolteacher, Cindy has always stressed how important studies are. She helped with school work and with the horses as she explained not only how thing are done, but why we do them as well.”

Today, this former student is a college graduate and an instructor who takes pride in saying, “My teaching style is much like Cindy’s, both in how I instruct as well as the way I conduct myself. I still set goals for myself and I still dream, Cindy has taught me that with hard work and dedication you can obtain whatever you want. When someone like Cindy tells you this you believe them since that same person helped you accomplish so many of your own goals and dreams. No road is easy but with hard work and support we can make the journey.”

Another current client continued, “It is difficult to speak of Cindy’s striving spirit and not mention her determination to spend time with her beloved husband, George. Cindy has taught our daughter that every class is to be ridden until the end and giving up because things are not going well is unacceptable. What a wonderful message for a young child to learn as she rides around the ring, and what a powerful message for a teenager to witness from her role model who stayed at her husband’s side until the end. Cindy truly has earned this award both in and out of the ring.”

Whether she is mentoring aspiring trainers, teaching young riders, volunteering with a youth group, serving on the AMHA Board of Directors, judging a show or serving as a speaker or clinician, her patience, dedication and professionalism always shine through. Cindy is always ready to lend a hand in any way she can.

It is with great pride that the AMHA recognizes Cindy Mugnier for her outstanding sportsmanship and dedication, and we are pleased to present her with the Cecil Brown Sportsmanship Award.

AMHA GOLDEN REINS AWARD - TIM & JEAN ARCURI

Tim and Jean Arcuri added their names to the list of
deserving recipients of the AMHA Gold Reins Award.

More than 35 years ago, a young couple met at the local fairgrounds in Eugene, Ore., while taking care of their horses. They were young, but they had big dreams for careers in horse training. Little did that couple know that their love for horses, and their love for each other, would blossom into a long and rewarding career doing just that.

Their 35 years in the industry have resulted in both personal and professional accolades, and all along they have worked hard to stay true to their ultimate passion: attaining excellence in every area of their business. That couple is Tim and Jean Arcuri.

As trainers they are three-time recipients of the Trainers of the Year award, while also receiving the Pyramid Trainers of the Year Award, the UPHA Horsemen of the Year award and the Trainer of the Decade Award.

They have trained star horses, such as Festival Calypso, Carlyle Command, Westenfeld Cormandy, MKS Destiny’s Echo, HRH Lacey, Hyland Acres Command, Trebles Wild Command, Key West, UVM Nappi, Midtone, Grand Cru Beaujolais, Rampaige, TVM I Promise, Elm Hill Ben Star, Minion Mademoiselle, Iron Forge Aire Borne, Aristocraticallee and El-Toro. Their horses have won more than 150 world and reserve world championships, claiming multiple Horse of the Year awards, and their riders have won multiple Amateur of the Year Awards.

Tim has won the Park Saddle World Championship, the Pleasure Driving World Championship twice, the Park Harness World Championship and the English Pleasure World Championship, making him one of only a handful of trainers to claim wins in all four divisions.

Jean has won multiple pleasure driving world championships, along with many national championships in the western pleasure division. She also has trained many young riders who have gone on to win world championships in many different divisions. Together the couple also has won many in-hand world championships.

The Arcuris’ hard work and passion for horses have led to a long-standing, reputable career. They have remained dedicated to teamwork, building and maintaining relationships and achieving excellence in all they do. And at the end of the day, their love for horses and for the art of training has, and always will, motivate this couple to greatness.

Congratulations, Tim and Jean, on this honor.

AMHA GOLDEN REINS AWARD - DAVID EAREHART

David Earehart celebrated his AMHA Golden Reins Award

with his proud family: daughter Tiffani, wife Caren and son Bryan.

Born in Northville, Mich., this third-generation horseman has had an impact in the horse industry for more than half of a century. He has dedicated his life to the Morgan horse. Growing up in a horse show family as the oldest of five children was both hard and fun. His first pony was a Christmas gift that was brought right into the house for Christmas morning. The two of them spent many fun-filled years together.

Growing up in a show barn was fun for him. He had the opportunity to do many things with the Morgan horse that other people would just dream of. Along with his family, David Earehart loved to promote the Morgan horse most of all. They participated in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade. David, along with his Morgan, brought the racehorses to the post at the local racetrack. He has participated in and put on many clinics. He also participated in a Burger King commercial that featured the Morgan horse. David always had a competitive drive and he loved equitation. He won many championships in western and Saddle Seat. While growing up, David helped with his father’s stable and liked to teach lessons as well as help with training.

David always has had a passion for animals and as 4-H member raised goats, sheep, poultry and waterfowl. Today he and his son, Bryan, raise and exhibit waterfowl. Together they have won many national championships with their call ducks.

In 1978, David met his wife Caren, the couple married in 1980 and opened Liberty Stables in 1992. In 1998 they purchased the 40-acre farm that they reside at now in South Lyon, Michigan. They have two children, Bryan and Tiffani. Both have earned many regional and world titles.

David, whose parents were among the founders of the Michigan Justin Morgan Horse Association in 1953, has been a board member for five years, vice president for three years and president for six years of the association. He also served on the board of the Michigan Morgan Horse Breeders Futurity Association for six years and as vice president for five years. David is a member of the United Professionals Horseman’s Association and has been president of Chapter 20 for the past seven years. David also loves to judge and has been judging 4-H and open horse shows for more than 25 years and has been a Morgan judge for five years.

Through his years as a trainer, instructor and judge, David has introduced many people to the breed. He has attended and shown at every Grand National Morgan Horse Show, exhibiting Catskill Gay Valiant at the very first one in 1973. During his career he has been able to successfully compete in every division and has gone on to win many state, regional and world championships. In 2003, he won the World Championship Park Harness title with Will-O-Way Moment In Time.

David has given his life and dedicated himself to the Morgan horse and the promotion of the breed. There is not a day that goes by that he is not thinking about, or smiling at, the Morgan horse.

AMHA GOLDEN REINS AWARD - TIM & JANE MORRELL

Tim and Jane Morrell received the AMHA Golden Reins Award

for their years of commitment.

This next couple’s presence in the Morgan industry has included prominent positions in a wide variety of roles. Both are the second generations of their families to embrace and promote Morgan horses and both started their careers with a special Morgan horse that forged the foundation of a future that would connect Morgans to all aspects of their lives.

Her segue into the horse world was a natural extension of her mother’s love for horses which included operating a boarding stable, trail riding and fox hunting. Her first Morgan was a mare that defied comparison and daunted the competition throughout the 1960s. When she and Bayfield Bonnie Lass trotted into the ring, the only question left for those who competed against them, was “Who would be pinned second?” In equitation and pleasure they were always standouts, but it was in road hack and races under saddle that they earned their reputation as unbeatable. Bonnie and her young owner/rider had a legion of fans to cheer them on at the “National” in Northampton and it was hard to tell who had more fun, horse or rider. After college she worked for a Worcester, Mass., insurance company, gave lessons locally and continued her successful showing career with her second Morgan, Broadwall Majordomo, whose winning performances made her a consistent contender in park classes.

In a parallel time frame, a young Vermonter was making his mark in the Morgan world with the family’s beautiful, black western pleasure stallion, Emerald’s Cochise, and the pair was frequently pictured in The Morgan Horse magazine. He spent his youth working on the family farm and showing the family’s Morgans. In the 1960s he branched out in the Vermont area to giving lessons and training local horses, while continuing to pursue the family interest in metal working and blacksmithing and began to shoe horses. The 1970s found him training horses professionally in upstate New York and as coincidence would have it, at the Connecticut Morgan Show in the mid-1970s, his horses were stabled next to Majordomo and his owner. 

On March 5, 1977, the couple was married and subsequently teamed up to train horses at Sandy Adams’s Stonewall Farm and then went on to Crosswind Farm where they presented their first world champion, Gaitwood Murren. In the meantime they bought, built and remodeled a property in Rutland, Mass., and Moreland Farm was born. Well-known champions that competed under the auspices of this talented husband and wife team included Green Meads Big Ben, Ruby’s Shiela, Gaitwood Davos, Gaitwood Garmisch, Wisperwin PattiStar, Paramount’s Mariner, Moreland War Dance, Moreland Marquis, Main Line Big Mack, Cromwell Symphony, Shad O Val Trumpeter, W Hayden MacDougall, WoodNBrook High-N-Mighty, The Sky’s The Limit, Woodbourne Caliente, Dare To Beam and BEF Cece.

Their daughter, Melissa, graduated from college in 2000 and joined her parents in their ever-increasing training business, certainly the greatest gesture of respect that parents can ever receive.

In 2002, the family moved to their beautiful new facility in West Brookfield, Mass., which they designed and finished themselves and is now home to 30 Morgans including training horses, broodmares, lesson horses and favorite old-timers. Moreland Farm trains and develops Morgans for Saddle Seat, hunter seat, western seat, park and pleasure driving, as well as developing top carriage driving horses.

Both our honorees are registered Morgan judges and have been active in local and regional clubs and horse shows and they consistently offer a variety of opportunities to welcome newcomers to our breed.

It is my pleasure to congratulate Tim and Jane Morrell as 2007 recipients of the Golden Reins Award.

AMHA GOLDEN REINS AWARD - JEAN SAUER

Jean Sauer was one of this year’s worthy recipients

 of the AMHA Golden Reins Award.

Jean Sauer started with horses at 12 years old when her parents gave her riding lessons with a Swedish cavalry officer as a present. She soon bought her first horse, a wonderful Quarter/Arabian gelding. Jean’s love affair with the Morgan breed started when she met Susan Krauss. She started working for Susan in exchange for lessons. She went on to work as assistant trainer with Susan Krauss at Red Fox in Gilroy, Calif., in 1967. Soon after, Jean bought her first Morgan, Christy Jarmen, then a yearling filly, who became a foundation mare for her breeding program. She and Susan worked and showed such horses as Kings River Morgan, Orcland Bold Fox, Lippit Pecos, Great Hill Atlantic and many others.

In 1971, Jean and her parents bought a farm in Sheridan, Ore., and established Rogue Hill Morgans. For the past 36 years Jean has bred and trained many greats out of Rogue Hill Farm. Jean says the greatest horse bearing the Rogue Hill prefix would have to be Rogue Flight Miss who won 65 class “A” championships in English pleasure, pleasure driving, in-hand and natural park. Flight Miss then went on to prove herself as an incredible broodmare. The Rogue Hill horses have made top show horses, trail horses, lesson horses and even therapy horses.

Although showing on the Morgan circuit, Jean has introduced the Morgan breed to many people by taking her horses on the trail, the local state fair, and even the local parades such as the Rose Parade in Portland, Ore. She has helped students to ride, compete and overall enjoy their Morgans from the backyard rider to 4-H and high school equestrian teams all the way to national/world titles. After 40 years in the Morgan breed Jean still loves the Morgan for their kindness, trainability, versatility and beauty.

Congratulations Jean on receiving the AMHA Golden Reins award this evening.

AMHA YOUTH PERSON AWARD - GAYLE SINGER