The American Morgan Horse Institute (AMHI) will be holding its terrific annual auction again, at the AMHA Convention in Portland, Oregon. We hope you can attend in person or by phone! The Auction will be held Thursday evening, February 27th.

Your bids are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Personal checks, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover cards are all welcome!

If you're unable to attend the auction in person, and would like more information about these items, or would like to bid that evening by phone, please give the organizers a call. You can contact the Auction Chair Ellen DiBella at 303-550-4360 (cell), or Sally Wadhams at 802-985-8477 (until 2/26, in VT). They're happy to call you that evening and let you bid "live" via phone, or have someone bid for you up to the top price you'd like to pay, with a bid amount you'll leave with us.

All of the proceeds from the auction go toward the ongoing educational programs of the AMHI, a 501 (c) 3 institution. Last year alone, the AMHI awarded over $25,000 in scholarships to deserving Morgan youth!

Here's a partial list of exciting items that will be sold at the auction:

Colorado Mountain Vacation
Ski the Summit and savor the Colorado high country while staying in a lovely condominium at Breckenridge, Colorado. Downtown restaurants and concerts are just a short walk away. This condo is ideal for a family of four or two couples. Winter or summer Breckenridge offers an opportunity to enjoy a variety of sports or to just relax in a uniquely beautiful setting. A quick and easy trip from Denver International Airport, Breckenridge offers wonderful skiing designed especially for the beginner/intermediate skier. In the summer season, it has hiking, biking and concerts. Its nightlife is exciting both winter and summer. Make date arrangements early! Must be used by 3/1/04. Value: $2500 Donated by: Pauline Ayers-Menk

Equine Reproduction Workshop and Vermont Weekend
Steve Davis and the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm offer their outstanding two-day workshop to be held April 3-5, 2003. Workshop fills fast, so you must call early. May attend in April 2004 if you can't make it this year. Topics covered include: Managing the use of lights, hormones, and ultrasound techniques; procedures for collecting, processing and transporting fresh-cooled/frozen semen; and much, much more. Breeders from across the country have attended and benefited from this hands-on educational program. During your stay you will be the guests for three nights at the beautiful Middlebury Inn On-The-Green (circa 1827). Your visit at the Inn includes breakfast, afternoon tea, and a fitness center pass. Value: $750 Donated by: The UVM Morgan Horse Farm, Middlebury Large Animal Clinic, the Miner Institute, and Middlebury Inn On-The-Green

Website Design
All websites are not created equal! No business can afford to be without a presence on the web. A poorly designed website that fails to convey your special message and to sell your product, whether horses or horse feathers, is more than worthless. BCM Web Designs offers ten (10) hours of professional expertise to create your special gateway to the world of the Internet. BCM Web Designs combines up-to-date technical and marketing skills with in depth knowledge of the Morgan marketplace. Past projects range from horse farm sites such as Merriehill Farm and Sunrise Morgans to commercial sites such as Iron Steer Trailers, Dakota Hunting Lodge, Joe LaDuke Realtor and nonprofit links for Western Dakota Legal Assistants, Region 5, and North Dakota Morgan Horse Association. You are invited to visit the gallery at http://BCMWebdesigns.com. Must be used by 3/1/04. Value: $500 Donated by: Vonne Tarnavsky and BCM Web Designs.

Morgan Magic and Cowboy Dressage at Wolf Creek Ranch
Pack your boots and get ready for a special weekend at Wolf Creek Ranch in the beautiful foothills of the Sierras. Eitan’s special style of horsemanship and showmanship has earned him honors both in the show ring and as a clinician. Your hostesses for the weekend will pick you up on Friday at the airport in Sacramento and will deliver you for your flight home. You will stay at one of the lovely bed and breakfasts for which Grass Valley is famous; take private lessons with Eitan and the Wolf Creek staff; ride the lovely hills and valleys of the area; and do some shopping in California’s Gold Country. Bring your appetite for fun and good food because your hostesses for the week are Ellen DiBella and Meredith Sloan. Please plan your date well ahead of time! Must be used by 3/1/04. Value: $1500 Donated by: Eitan and Debbie Beth-Halachmy • Wolf Creek Ranch

Grand National Banner
Honor and celebrate your World and Reserve World Champion, Grand National and Reserve Grand National Champion Morgan with one of the beautiful RaDon banners that are hung each year at the Grand National. 5' x 20'. Designed in your farm colors, or colors of your choice. Each banner includes the horse's name, one World or Grand National title, the year they won, and all maintenance fees for three years. And . . . the banner will hang in the Coliseum the first year. Value: $1300 Donated by: The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show

Weekend at the Campton Place Hotel in San Francisco
The Campton Place Hotel - "Where High Expectations are Quietly Met". Your bid includes a two-night stay at Campton Place and a fabulous dinner for two at the hotel’s restaurant. Named one of “The Best Romantic Hotels” by Bon Appetit, Campton Place Hotel continues to enjoy a reputation as one of the world’s finest upscale hotels. It offers the sophisticated traveler an elegant, quiet, and intimate atmosphere, centrally located near Union Square. The restaurant is one of the city’s finest, with an award-winning cuisine. Come and enjoy the hotel’s exquisite surroundings and a superior level of service that offers an “Old World Charm”. Must be used by 3/1/04. Value: $3500 Donated by: An Anonymous Friend of the Morgan Horse

The Ultimate Driving Experience
Discover what makes driving so special! Spend a weekend with Gene and Sonja Brown at their Equitopia facility in Pilot Point, Texas - They will teach you to drive or help you polish your skills as a whip using their horse or your horse. You can even learn to drive a pair! Enjoy a champagne picnic drive with a liveried attendant and experience a steak dinner, Texas style. If you plan your trip at just the right time, you might even attend one of the great rodeos of the West. Must be used by 3/1/04. Value: $1500 Donated by: Gene and Sonja Brown and Equitopia

Original Artwork for the 2002 Grand National Program Cover
This artwork was created by nationally known artist Jessie Pettie, and used for the 2002 Grand National program cover. The vibrant colors and unique textures made this cover one of nicest in years. Donated by: Jessie Pettie and The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show

The International Morgan Connection
Full-page four color donated by Lifetime member of the AMHI, Elizabeth Hobby and The International Morgan Connection. Whether you are showing Morgans, breeding them or selling them, The Connection is an obvious choice. With its strong subscriber base and dedicated following, The Connection has long been a top choice for promoting show horses and breeding horses, especially during show season, with a twice monthly publication of the highest quality. The International Morgan Connection also donates $6,000 a year in Annual Scholarships to the AMHI. Value: $695 Donated by: The International Morgan Connection and Staff

Goshen County Two-Shot Goose Hunt in Wyoming
December 12-13, 2003 join sportsmen from around the United States as they gather in Wyoming's spacious countryside. You'll enjoy the fellowship of competitive bird hunting when you come to Torrington, Wyoming. The Two-Shot Goose Hunt boasts the best goose hunting in the state. This unique event attracts many public figures, including Governors past and present, and celebrities. Friday begins with shooter registration, followed by lunch, and sporting clays and game and fish demonstrations that afternoon. The Friday evening cocktail party includes pit and guide drawings and the preview for the art and auction. Saturday morning you’ll have a pre-hunt breakfast with guides, and then goose hunt until 1 PM, followed by lunch. The Saturday night awards banquet includes original artwork, elk hunts, guided hunts and adventure trips. Value: Priceless Donated by: Bill Keenan and the Goshen County Two-Shot Goose Hunt

Grand National Party Planning
Meredith Sloan and Ellen DiBella love to give a party and see friends enjoy themselves! Let them plan a party for you and 50 friends, to be given at the 2003 Grand National in your barn area! They’ll do the planning, the purchasing, the cooking, the serving, and the clean up. The winning bidder will pay for the food, liquor, soft drinks, cups, plates, utensils, napkins, centerpiece, etc. You’ll provide the bartender and be the gracious host or hostess. Leave the planning and cooking and serving to them. Roadshow Morgans and their friends enjoyed a Mexican theme party at the 2002 Grand National. Includes a $500 food “credit”. Donated by: Meredith Sloan and Ellen DiBella

American Morgan Horse Institute (AMHI) • Individual Life Membership
Your membership supports the educational mission of the AMHI. The Institute's worthy causes include annual scholarships of over $25,000 to deserving Morgan Youth. Fully tax-deductible. Value: $1000 Donated by: The American Morgan Horse Institute, Inc.

The Morgan Horse Magazine Color Advertising Space – Inside Back Cover
Prime real estate in the advertising market! This is a four-color, special placement advertisement in the official journal of the Morgan breed, The Morgan Horse. Doesn't your stallion, show horse, farm, or rider deserve a chance to appear in the magazine of record and be seen by the largest group of select subscribers? Take your spot in history! Reserve early! Value: $1100 Donated by: The AMHA and The Morgan Horse Magazine

Napa Valley Wine Country Tour
Just book your flight to Sacramento airport to arrive on Thursday/Friday during the grape harvest the last week in August or the first two weeks in September. You’ll be picked up and swept away to the Taylor’s to stay in their guesthouse, where you will be wined and dined. On Friday you will fly over and around the Napa Valley and see the wine country from the air. The pilot in command is retired Major General (USAF) Jim Taylor. You will then visit a winery and spend the afternoon learning about different wines and the finer points of a winery. Saturday you will get a close up look at what it takes to run a vineyard. Saturday evening you will enjoy dinner with other Morgan friends. Did you know that the grapes are picked at night, both by hand and robot? So be prepared to stay up late Saturday. Sunday it’s back to the airport and home, with a case of very special wine. Must be used by 3/1/04. Value: Priceless Donated by: Ann and Jim Taylor

Queen Size Horse Themed Quilt
This lovely, handmade queen size quilt features diamonds in shades of beige and brown with a background of galloping horses with a distinct Morgan look. The intricate stitching gives the quilt and extra dimension. This unique piece of art would serve as a bedspread or throw. What could be better than wrapping up in a one of kind horse quilt? Value: $750 Donated by: Kathie Horman

Wild Horse Quilt
A geometric pattern in purples, blues and a touch of green serves as a background for a herd of five wild horses. The horses manes and tails are formed from twisted thread and add to the vivid impression of movement. The overall dimensions of 50" by 50" make this wall hanging ideal as a signature piece gracing a wall adding warmth, color and interest to any room. Value: $500 Donated by: Kathie Horman

Bronze Statue “Morgan Magic”
Own your own original bronze to showcase in your home, office or tack room. This beautiful bronze is #1 in a very limited series. It depicts the Morgan horse accurately and in exquisite detail, and will lend elegance and drama to any location. By sculptor and painter Robin Palmer, daughter of Hall of Fame artist Hildred Goodwine. Value: $3000 Donated by: Robin Palmer and Mary Woolverton

The Broadmoor Weekend
Mike Goebig and Dwayne Knowles are famous for their horsemanship and their hospitality. This is a unique opportunity to experience both. You will stay in one of the Broadmoor guest apartments and learn what makes Broadmoor one of the premier training and show barns in the country. Be sure to make time to tour the historic countryside and bring your camera to record every moment of what promises to be the weekend of a lifetime. Must be used by 3/1/04. Value: $1500 Donated by: Mike Goebig and Dwayne Knowles at Broadmoor

Handcrafted Southwest Art Piece
Brain Berry has put his special genius for metal work and his love of leather working together to create a custom doorbell! These leather-mounted bells will grace your door and let you know when visitors arrive. Put some Southwest Cowboy style in your life with this unique item. Value: $500 Donated by: Elberta Honstein and Brian Berry

Fabulous Utah Summer Vacation
Seven days and six nights in the summer in Park City, Utah, at Deer Valley. Ideal golfing climate - never hot. Two PGA courses nearby. Pick summer fishing, horseback riding, hiking, fishing and shopping. All in the heart of Butch Cassidy country. This three-bedroom condominium sleeps eight and has pool, hot tub, and tennis courts, all in Johnny Carson and Tony Danza's neighborhood! Available March 25 – December 15, 2003. Value $3900 Donated by: Kathie Horman

Color Advertising - The Saddle Horse Report or Horse World
A full page, four color ad in either The Saddle Horse Report or Horse World magazine. Show season's right around the corner, and these folks are fantastic at producing a gorgeous color ad to get the word out about your show horse or breeding farm. Value: $950 Donated by: Dabora, Inc.

The Light of Freedom by Thomas Kinkade
Thomas Kinkade is world renown as the painter of lights. The Light of Freedom was started by Thomas Kinkade immediately after September 11th, 2001, and finished in a week. This is a Limited Edition, hand highlighted canvas, purchased from a Thomas Kinkade studio. This edition is a complete sellout and will only increase in value. The canvas measures 12" X 16", 20" X 24" framed and is ready to hang! A Certificate of Limitation & Authenticity is included. Value: $600 Donated by: Barb Rudicel