The Vermont Morgan Horse Association, Inc came into existance in 1966. Governor Hoff's Advisory Committee determined that there was an interest and so helped to set up the forum for this to happen. Since 1966, VMHA has continued to offer many events and activities to its members and to the community at large. During the past 44+ years, VMHA has promoted and supported the Morgan Horse and its community from show horse to back yard horse, from breeder to the single horse owner.
One of the very first activities that the club participated in was the World Expo in Montreal Quebec in 1967. As the club grew it started creating more ways to promote and educate the public about the Morgan Horse VMHA even at one point sponsored youths with a Morgan Horse of their own.
VMHA has been a strong fund raiser and supporter for the AMHA and the National Museum of the Morgan Horse's home in Shelburne, VT. It has lobbied for laws to protect the horse owner and took part in the State Quarter design by submitting an entry, but unfortunately was not chosen.
It has supported the UVM Morgan Horse Farm and the National Museum of the Morgan Horse through annual donations.
In 1968,VMHA started its first "Class A" All Morgan Horse Show, which continues today and is known as the Vermont Spring Classic, currently held in Springfield, MA.
In 1980, an all Morgan Horse Show was established, which also continues to operate today called the Heritage Days Amateur/Youth Show.
VMHA has a youth group membership that has been very active in participating in many equine events. They meet regularly and do fundraising for their events that they would like to attend. They also do the youth badge program and many participate in the youth contest, which is held at the Vt Spring Classic Horse Show.
To assist VMHA's Youth members in furthering their eduction, in 1999 a scholarship award was created and named after the late Lyman C. Orcutt, Jr. Also in 1999, the first Stallion Service Auction was offered, which was held at the annual meeting until 2006 when it was moved to the VMHA website where it is operated from January- March each year, giving the opportunity for people all around the world wide web to bid on VT Stallions. From this, a Breeders' Futurity was established.
VMHA has participated in a multitude of events and activities, including multi horse breed activities such as Everything Equine held in April at the Exposition Fair grounds in Essex Jct, VT, Morgan Horse Field Days (formerly known as the Showcase of Agriculture) that was held at the AMHA Grounds in Shelburne, VT, Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, MA, held in the month of September, Equine Affair held also in Springfield,MA in the month of November and the Farm Show held in Barre, VT at the end of January.
There has been a number of potluck dinners, trail rides/drives, sleigh rallies and races over these years that VMHA has hosted and sponsored. At present VMHA holds the Morgan Trotting races in September. These races are held in the same location as the races of Justin Morgan's day.
And recently VMHA is in the process of applying for a non-profit status with the State of VT.
The Vermont Morgan Horse Association is a proud club that has been very fortunate to have so many dedicated Morgan enthusiast over the years. VMHA has recognized many of these individuals. Each year specific members are chosen for recognition and honored with the Deane C. Davis Award, the Person of the Year Award, the Youth of the Year Award, the John Raymond Awards and the Open Competition Awards.
VMHA continues to grow with the challenges of the times and works very hard to provide opportunity and education so that all can get to know and love the Morgan Horse.
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