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The American Morgan Horse Association Board of Directors Second Quarter Meeting took place in Lexington, Kentucky on Saturday, May 1, 2021. Following the meeting highlights.

Meeting Minutes: Meeting minutes from the meetings held on February 6, February 27, and March 1, 2021, were approved and are now posted for review on the Members Only side of the website here: https://www.morganhorse.com/members/minutes/. (Minutes are posted to this web page once they are formally approved by the BOD or the corresponding committee.)

President’s Report: President Lee reported that the 2021 Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show is shaping up to be another premier and memorable event. OKC will be the place to be this Oct. 9-16. In addition to OKC, be sure to mark your calendars for the 2022 UPHA National Conference in Orlando, Florida, scheduled for January 4-8, 2022, where AMHA will host the First Quarter Board meeting, the Annual Meeting of Members, finalize the Election and Present the AMHA Awards. (Check out a sneak peek video and hotel information here: https://www.uphaonline.com/national-conference) President Lee also reported that the Joint Leadership Council has been closely monitoring various legislature and working with groups such as USEF and the American Horse Council to ensure the trotting breeds are protected and governed appropriately.

The Morgan Horse Magazine: Editor, Stephen Kinney provided the Board with an exciting update regarding all things TMH including the 2020 financial success of the magazine as well as the growth in the ad revenue in the Jan/Feb Breeder’s Issue in 2021 compared to 2020. The Board was also shown the hard work and efforts of this team on the upcoming July 2021 Horse Illustrated promotion. It is quite impressive, and you should be sure to pick up your copy anywhere Horse Illustrated is sold (Wal-Mart, Tractor Supply, Etc.). 

Executive Director’s Report: Executive Director, Carrie Mortensen reported on the following topics:

• AMHECT. The American Morgan Horse Educational Charitable Trust held its most recent meeting on April 12, 2021 and reported a plethora of activity. The T-shirt and Facemask Fundraiser generated $1,744.93 profit. The Facebook page which was launched earlier this year is still new – please like and follow them. The Website www.amhect.org is currently being tweaked with new and updated information. Be sure to check out the many new faucets of this site. AMHECT approved accepting the administration of the van Schaik Classical Dressage scholarship and the establishment of the Ellen DiBella Western Dressage scholarship. AMHECT awarded AMHA an educational grant in the amount of $5,000 for their 2022 annual meeting expenses. AMHECT also approved the purchase of a new exhibition booth for use at the Kentucky Horse Park for grass roots outreach at such events such as Equitana, Breyerfest, Kentucky 3-Day Event, etc.
• Two NEW newsletters launched on May 1 to promote the Champion Title Program and the Open Competition Program. These were launched based on the membership survey data we received.
• Various Subcommittees are meeting right and left and are getting countless projects started and completed!
• The AMHA staff members are keeping busy, and transactions are moving quickly through the workflow process. 

Registry: The Registrar’s report was presented with statistics through March 31, 2021. Click Here for the Statistic Overview

As of April 20, 2021, there are 385 registration applications pending completion. Of these 11 are for 2021 foals, 213 are for 2020 foals, 73 are for 2019 foals, and the remainder are for horses foaled in 2018 the oldest foaled in 2001. These figures are by the year foaled, not by when they were received. Additional Breeding Statistics were provided, and a member request was reviewed.

NEW Breeder Recognition Award: The Breeders’ Awards launch this year! The AMHA Breeders’ Award program recognizes the breeder of the Champion and Reserve Champion in designated classes at the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show®. More information on this exciting recognition program will be released soon. AMHA is currently searching for a title sponsor for this NEW, prestigious program. Interested sponsors can contact the office for more information.

Bylaws: The Board approved edits to the AMHA Policy on Business Ethics and Conduct and Ethics Statement. The updated information will be posted to the website shortly. Watch the weekly global for notice of posting.

Finance: Membership Statistics year to date ending March 31, 2021 show that AMHA has processed 415 more memberships compared to the same time last year. Fund Balances as of April 25, 2021 were reported as follows: 

• $300,707.40 Registry Trust (VCF)
• $111,178.51 Epperson Trust (VCF)
• $316,403.35 Museum Endowment (VCF)
• $4,210.70 Tristanne Weber Childress CD
• $8,225.06 Kentucky Horse Park Fund CD
• $7,652.53 van Schaik Dressage Scholarship Fund
• $64,619.27 Contingency Fund (Rainy Day Account)
• $6,996.21 Youth Council Account
• $12,009.37 Medal Scholarship Fund
• $2,581.16 NMMH DuPont Restricted Fund
• $3,061.52 NMMH Operating Account 
• $758,671.34 Kentucky Chase Bank AMHA Operating Account

The Board reviewed the 2020 Audit Report provided by McSoley, McCoy and Company along with the Final Year End 2020 Financials. The Morgan community rallied and thanks to their generous Morgan Stronger campaign donations and their continued TMH advertising commitments combined with the receipt of the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program Loan, continual Registry transactions, and significant reduction of programs placed on temporary “hiatus,” AMHA made it through 2020 in the black with a much-needed surplus to be applied to current and future expenses including significant Technology and Software requirements. The supporting documents including the 2020 audit can be found on the Members’ Only side of the AMHA website here https://my.morganhorse.com/For-Members-Only/Financial-Reports. It is anticipated all programs will be in full force moving forward in 2021.

Special Committee Reports: The Board was provided with updates from the following Special Committees: Disciplines, Judges, Marketing, Shows, Youth, and Welfare & Rescue. Items of note included the following items.

Ellen DiBella Western Dressage Scholarship -- A new AMHECT Scholarship has been developed to assist Western Dressage riders competing with Morgan horses in obtaining further education and advancement within the Western Dressage Discipline. More information can be located here https://www.morganhorse.com/amhect/grants-scholarships/the-ellen-dibella-western-dressage-scholarship/.

Membership Survey and Open Forum -- AMHA gathered valuable information from both the earlier membership survey and Videoconference Open Forum to utilize in both the education and improvement of our various programs and communications.

2022 Judges’ Clinics -- The Board approved hosting a Large R only judges’ school in conjunction with the 2022 UPHA National Conference. In addition, a complete, full offering judges’ school will also be offered in conjunction with the 2022 Morgan Gold Cup Regional Horse Show. The second full offering school for 2022 will be announced later.

Pilot Program for 2022 Approved for Judges’ Development -- Stay tuned for more information on a pilot grant program approved for 2022 that will reduce financial hardships on competitions, thus increasing Morgan Judging opportunities for USEF Licensed Morgan Judges at AMHA Star Shows and providing incentives for larger USEF recognized competitions to add a small r judge to their panel of judges providing officials more opportunities for the experience required for promotion.

Marketing Events and Endeavors -- Subcommittees have been hard at work and are working on the visual branding of AMHA as well as the 2022 Weekly Planner and the 2021 Museum Bucket Fundraiser at the Grand National which will have a new twist this year – Battle of the Barns! Stables will work together to create auction buckets with items of their choosing and battle it out to win either the “Most Creative” bucket award or the “Highest Bid” bucket award!  The Morgan horse will be featured in the July 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated and AMHA has developed a campaign and directory for this grass roots outreach opportunity. Equitana is scheduled to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct. 1-3, 2021 and thanks to AMHECT, the American Morgan Horse Association will unveil a NEW booth to introduce our beloved breed to the many visitors. 

Upcoming Meetings: AMHA Board meetings are open to members and guests and the Directors encourage members to participate. Registration links for the Zoom Videoconferences will be posted on the AMHA Website and released in the weekly global e-mail communications closer to each individual meeting date.

• June 7, 2021 at 7 PM Eastern (Zoom Videoconference meeting)
• August 7, 2021 at 7 PM Eastern (Zoom Videoconference meeting)
• September 11, 2021 at 12 PM Eastern (Third Quarter Zoom Videoconference meeting)
• November 5-6, 2021 (Fourth Quarter Live Meeting in Lexington, KY)
• December 6, 2021 at 7 PM Eastern (Zoom Videoconference meeting)
• January 4-8, 2022 – UPHA National Conference including AMHA Board Meeting, AMHA Annual Membership Meeting, AMHA Election, and AMHA Awards in Orlando, FL (Make plans now to attend! Check out the sneak peak video and hotel information here: https://www.uphaonline.com/national-conference)

Any questions regarding these highlights can be directed to AMHA Executive Director, Carrie J. Mortensen at execdir@morganhorse.com or (802) 985-4944, Ext. 201.

-- via AMHA