Important Morgan Dates
1789-Justin Morgan (aka Figure), the breed's foundation sire, was foaled in Springfield, Massachusetts.
1857-D.C. Linsley's book Morgan Horses was published. It is the earliest book documenting the history of Justin Morgan and America's first breed.
1894-Volume I of the American Morgan Horse Register was published by Colonel Joseph Battell.
1907-The American Morgan Horse Farm was established in Weybridge, Vermont, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the breeding and preservation of the Morgan horse.
1909-The Morgan Horse Club was formed at the Vermont State Fair.
1921-To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of Justin Morgan, the Morgan Horse Club presented to the U.S. Morgan Horse Farm the Justin Morgan statue, which is still exhibited there today.
1921-Registry Rule II adopted. Allowed the registration of horses tracing in direct female line to Justin Morgan and having 1/32 of Justin Morgan blood.
1927-The Morgan Horse Club was incorporated as a membership corporation under the laws of the state of New York. This was the first time that certificates of registration were issued by the Morgan Horse Club.
1939-The first National Morgan Horse Show was held in Woodstock, Vermont.
1941-Owen Moon Jr. of Vermont started the Morgan Horse Bulletin, now known as THE MORGAN HORSE magazine.
1948-Registry Rule II rescinded.
1949-Otho Eusey of Massachusetts became the printer of THE MORGAN HORSE magazine, a duty he fulfilled until retiring in May of 1980.
1951-The U.S. Morgan Horse Farm was taken over by the Sate of Vermont, becoming the University of Vermont Morgan Farm.
1952-The Morgan Horse Show division was recognized by the American Horse Shows Association which is now USEF.
1961-Jeanne Mellin (Herrick) publishes "The Morgan Horse"
1964-High White/Blue Eyes Rule adopted by AMHA. Required complete and natural pigmentation of the iris in both eyes and that the horse have no natural white above the most prominent point of the radius immediately above the carpal joint or the point of the hock, except on the face.
1971-The Morgan Horse Club, Inc. was renamed the American Morgan Horse Association, Inc.
1972-The American Morgan Horse Foundation established, later becomes American Morgan Horse Institute
1972-Disney movie "Justin Morgan Had A Horse" distributed
1972-Morgan Horse Judging Standards adopted by AMHA
1973-The first annual Grand National Morgan Horse Show was held in Detroit, Michigan.
1976-The AMHA was recognized as a member of the National Bicentennial Sports Alliance, and the Morgan was recognized as the Bicentennial Horse.
1976-Regional representation to AMHA Board of Directors instituted by By-laws.
1981-The AMHA received an official invitation to participate in the Presidential Inaugural Parade for President-elect Ronald Reagan.
1981-All producing stallions must be bloodtyped; random 1% of foals tested to sire and dam.
1982-The First Annual Membership Convention and Seminar was held in Los Angeles, California, February 12-14.
1985-Morgan horses represented the United States in the World Pairs Driving Championships in Sandringham, England and have continued to do so in years since.
1985-The U.S. Postal Service issued commemorative stamps depicting the Morgan horse.
1985-Canadian reciprocity in effect January 1st
1986-All producing maiden mares bloodtyped; maiden mares tested to sires.
1988-AMHA moves to permanent headquarters in Shelburne, VT.
1994-All producing mares bloodtyped; 100% foals blood tested to sire and dam.
1995-Registry Rule III, aka "Bright Line Rule, adopted.
1996-High White/Blue Eyes Rule rescinded, February.
1997-The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show celebrates is 25th year.
1997-The first Canadian National Championship Morgan Show was held in Regina, Saskatchewan.
1998-Voluntary DNA testing begins.
2001-Parentage verification by DNA testing required for registration.
2002-All applicants for Registration must DNA test to Sire and Dam