Perrysburg, Ohio – We are pleased to announce that eligible Morgan weanlings will continue to have a venue to strut their stuff and earn substantial prize money for their owners beginning in 2009. With the conclusion of the Morgan Breeders Sweepstakes in July of this year, a group of people who recognized the importance of this class gathered together in an effort to create a new class for Morgan weanlings to compete for honor and prize money. Their efforts were realized earlier this month when the American Morgan Horse Institute (AMHI) offered the group an umbrella to work under. "We are thrilled and honored that AMHI has accepted our proposal to establish a new class for breeders to showcase their foals," said committee Chairman Larry Bolen.

The new class has been coined "The Morgan Weanling Gala" in honor of the spectacular performances these young horses put on for their owners and handlers. "It is our goal that the yearly event continues to interchange between the Jubilee Regional and the New England Regional, with the premier class kicking off at the Jubilee in August 2009," said Bolen. "Right now, we are contacting stallion owners to gather commitments, and their response has been incredible. People are really excited about the new program and the renewed involvement. We also have extensive marketing plans to promote our nominated stallions not only in print but also with a richer Internet presence," Bolen concluded.

The class is open to all weanlings whose sires have been nominated to the program. This event is an incredible and one of a kind way to promote a stallion’s offspring based on conformation and athleticism. The event invites stallions into the program and the payouts are based on percentages of total monies collected. Initial commitments from stallion owners need to be in place by May 1, 2008. Larry Bolen, Paulette Bodnar, Shanna Gish or Elizabeth Hobby can give anyone more information, and a website will be in place soon. "We promise to put together a spectacular, fair and well-run event for everyone to enjoy," Bolen added.