AMHA Morgan International Award: Greg Lyons
Monday, February 10, 2020
One of the most beautiful Buckskins in the Morgan breed, Ranchboss Cortez, makes his home at Wilga Park Morgans in Australia with his owners Greg and Kathy Lyons. The stallion is playing a significant role popularizing the breed there.
Greg Lyons is the avid driver behind that promotional effort as he by celebrates the Morgan horse to the people of his home country. He is passionate about making Australians aware of the original American breed.
ln his role as Operations Manager at the Toowoomba Showgrounds, Greg was instrumental in creating a special arena at the Royal Toowoomba Show for Morgan horses to be promoted to the thousands of people who entered the gates. The Morgans were given a half hour spot for their demonstration. Greg invited all Queensland Morgan owners to participate.
Greg and his trainer Linda Shore also look for venues that could host Morgan horse displays. Greg would set up a large horse float at high-level Dressage competitions and invite Morgan breeders and owners from all around Australia to provide advertising materials that he could distribute to the public. Usually a demonstration of the Morgan horse would be held as well. ln a town near his home Greg organized a display of Morgans at a center that had bus tours coming through. The people loved the addition of the Morgan demonstrations.
He has organized Morgan promotional events at the 'State of Origin' eventing competition Queensland vs. New South Wales. Greg contacted a business that ran an annual tour of Thoroughbred studs and got them to stop at his farm for afternoon tea and watch a Morgan horse demonstration as part of the entertainment of the tour.
Promotion of the Morgan horse is Greg's passion. Every year, for the past seven years, Greg ensured that Morgans were available to be part of the breed displays at the Royal Queensland Show in Brisbane. His trainer also took his stallion to Sydney and Melbourne to be a part of Equitana, doing demonstrations in Western Dressage. lt was a huge promotion for the Morgan horse, with thousands of people being introduced to the breed.
Greg’s selfless efforts over the years in promoting this wonderful breed make him well deserving of the AMHA International Award.
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