Diversity Symposium Held At Connecticut Morgan
Monday, July 2, 2007
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - An informative symposium on the diversity of the Morgan breed was held at the Connecticut Morgan Horse Show. The symposium and breakfast were held on a drizzly Saturday morning June 9, at the Eastern States Exposition Grounds. This was the fifth installment of what has become an eagerly awaited forum for Morgan owners and those in search of constructive information and answers to their questions. The symposium is the brainchild of Dr. Serena-Lynn Brown who served as the coordinator for the event. The Brown/Klein family along with the Connecticut Morgan Horse Show Committee was the sponsor of the breakfast and symposium.
AMHA president and prominent trainer Mike Goebig served as the symposium moderator with Steve Davis of the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm, Jeff Morse of Green Meads Farm, Harry Sebring of Sebring Stables and Mary Jean Vasiloff of Whippoorwill Morgans serving as panelists. The focus of the symposium was an overview, comments, discussion and questions and answers concerning the diversity within the Morgan breed. The proceedings were conducted in a very positive manner with constructive advice, suggestions and participation being the primary focus.
Dr. Serena-Lynn Brown welcomed all of the participants in the audience and on the panel and gave a brief background on how this annual event came to fruition. Mike Goebig then took over the microphone and introduced each topic on the agenda. He then turned the discussion over to the panelists who added their knowledge and insight from their individual perspectives. Audience members were encouraged to ask questions throughout the program.
Everyone in attendance concurred that we must celebrate our diversity and learn to market our breed’s many facets while supporting each other in a positive manner. It is important for us to target our audience of potential horse buyers and show them all of the possibilities owning a Morgan offers. We need to attract newcomers to the breed. It was noted by many that when people first come in contact with Morgans, many are immediately sold by the breed’s good beauty, versatility and tractability.
It is important for us to promote the breed as competition horse, since the Morgan excels in so many various arenas. From the carriage arena to the show ring to the dressage ring to trail riding to reining and many other fields, the attributes of the Morgan keep them in the forefront in competition venues. It is the job of breeders, owners and trainers to keep our horses in front of the public and show the enthusiasm we have for our breed to others.
As each of the panelists discussed their individual experiences and backgrounds, the common thread remained that we have all chosen the Morgan for its beauty, temperament, versatility and tractability even though we may all use them and compete with them in different ways. We must all do our best to celebrate our diversity and work together.
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