Press Release

July 9 , 2008

L LOCAL EQUESTRIAN NAMED YOUTH OF THE YEAR,

QUALIFIES FOR NATIONAL YOUTH OF THE YEAR AWARD

SHELBURNE, VT — It is with great enthusiasm that the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) honors Katie Richardson of Cheshire, CT for earning the Youth Member of the Year award, qualifying her to compete in the Youth of the Year Finals to be held at the 2008 Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show in Oklahoma this October. Katie displayed her talents in three of the contests four divisions including horsemastership, a written exam, and an oral presentation at the Connecticut Morgan Youth of the Year Contest held in Springfield, MA on June 7 th as part of the Eastern States Exposition.

"It is nice to show that hard work really does pay off," states Katie. "The contest was a great opportunity to have." Katie, an experienced competitor and rider, is looking forward to returning to Oklahoma for the championship event. "It is always a thrill to go. Last year I went and saw the best of the best compete, and now I have the chance to go again."

The American Morgan Horse Association counts Youth of the Year contests among its many successful youth oriented programs. Each year, dozens of Youth Contests are held across the country, hosted by horse shows, state Morgan clubs and local youth groups. The Youth of the Year program offers participants an opportunity to improve their skills in the area of horsemanship, sportsmanship, public speaking, decision-making, and judging. The senior (age 14-21) winner of a local contest can qualify to compete in the Youth of the Year Finals, held each year in conjunction with Youth Days at the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show set this year for October 6-13 in Oklahoma City. The winner of this prestigious title receives a month-long trip to the country of his/her choice, during which he/she acts as an ambassador for the Morgan breed. Past winners have traveled to Australia, New Zealand South Africa, Germany, and England.

Founded in 1909, the American Morgan Horse Association is a non-profit organization serving more than 50,000 Morgan horse owners, breeders, exhibitors, and enthusiasts throughout the United States. AMHA serves as a parent organization to more than 90 recognized Morgan horse clubs and national service organizations.

 For more information on America's original horse breed, contact the American Morgan Horse Association, Inc.©, 122 Bostwick Road, Shelburne, Vermont 05482; (802) 985-4944; www.morganhorse.com