This year's getaway weekend in Colorado on January 17 - 19 can be counted another success for the Circle J Futurity committee. It was a perfect blend of socializing and horses that left everyone looking toward the upcoming season. Friday night started things out with a wonderful party at David and Cindy Vogels' Andover Farm. The Colorado crowd turned out to welcome the out of town guests with their usual enthusiasm. Everyone enjoyed getting a chance to visit before going outside to see the barn and the Andover Farm breeding stock. Much thanks must go to the Vogels and their farm manager, Patty Miller, for their open invitation and all of their hard work putting this together.

Saturday morning everyone reconvened at The River's Edge to see the farm and watch a select group of their show string work. With their horses in wonderful order and looking ready for 2003, we all decided we better get home and get to work! They showed off some old favorites, some new combinations, and some rising stars...Bob and Mary have a lot to look forward to this year! Marsha Shepard was on hand to outfit anyone that needed clothes, show or otherwise, and to visit with friends. After leaving The River's Edge, everyone got a chance to relax and get ready for Saturday evening's event...the stallion auction.

The main event of the weekend was of course the ninth annual Circle J Futurity Auction. On Saturday, January 18, 2003, Morgan owners, breeders, and fans gathered at the Inverness Hotel and Golf Club, in Englewood, Colorado. This year's stallion lineup was most impressive! There were 20 stallions whose services had been donated and they made up a virtual who's who of today's top stallions. Gail Bratz and Marilyn Esteb have done such a great job with this auction and made it something that any breeder should want to be involved in. Their hard work along with the gracious donations helped to raise $80,000 from the enthusiastic bidders.

The evening started off with a bang as Liberation First Star brought in an impressive bid of $7,700. Missy Hanover was doing the bidding for her client Judy Voss, who surely is excited to use this breeding. It turns out that the first breeding to go thru topped the sale.

The next highest bid was at $5800 and two stallions commanded this price. Futurity French Command, bought by Phil Fountain for Robert Jones, and Lamborghini In Black, bought by Jean Jones. The next highest dollar amount was $4700 for Ultra's Special Agent, bought by Cricket Coleman. Rounding out the top five selling stallions was CCR's Outrajus Corajus, bought by Bill and Connie Myers. Having won $50,000 in last year's futurity made the Myers eager to try again! There was also a "name your mare" slot that was auctioned off. Lorraine Bumb of Silver Creek Stables bought this fun slot for $5,000.00.

The remaining stallions all collected excellent bids with most going for at or above their published breeding fees. The resulting foals from the winning bids on AMHF Mr. Courageous, Aspenglow Insurrection, Astronomicallee, Chandel Absolut, CKH Spirited Gift, DBA Street Talk, HVK Courageous Flaire, Menomin Yankee D Dandy, On Line, Nicoria, Nobility, Salem Command, Shangri La JW, Stonecroft Byzantine, and Whispering Whammunition will also be eligible to vie for the top prize in the 2005 Circle J Futurity.

There were also many great items donated and auctioned off including, but not limited to, a jacket by Marsha D'Arriaga, a herd evaluation by Bob Kellert and Mary Cockriel, a beautiful sculpted bowl by Maretta Kennedy, advertising space, training and lessons, and several days in a condo in Breckenridge that was donated by Don Weibel. After the auction concluded, a live band played for all to enjoy and the dancing began!