IN THIS ISSUE:

- Mass Morgan Horse Show....2015- Suzy Stafford at Mass Morgan - Western Dressage at Mass Morgan

- Anna Ela Memorial Scholarship - MMHS Youth of the Year

- Trotting in with News from.... - USEF Award and Scholarship winner.. Nick Roberts - Culleen Ames and Quabbin Comanche - NEMHA- Person of the Year... Judy Candage

*President's Message *Committee News *Membership and MMHA Update *Chuck Wagon *Ask the Expert

June - December 2015

MASS MORGAN

NEWSLETTER

!

Season's Greetings from the Mass Morgan Horse Association !

I would like to thank our members for all your support and friendship this past year. As the

year comes to an end, we reflect on our Mass Morgan community. We have lost some friends and horses but have also had some great and

fun times.

I wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year !

Looking forward to seeing everyone in 2016 !

Melissa Miskiv-Keene

Committee News

Youth: • MMHA Anna Ela Memorial $2000.00 Scholarship is

posted on www.massmorgan.com. There is a new format. Completed applications must be submitted by August 1st.

• The Youth Council is looking for active members. Plans are again being made to bring all Youth together at the 2016 Mass Morgan Horse Show. Members are needed to help coordinate activities during the show. Anyone interested can contact Sue Therrien at sue.therrien@gmail.com.

Communications: • We want to hear from you! If you have a question you

would like us to answer, please send it along. If you have a special event you would like us to post on our calendar, let us know. Please submit questions/events to Chris Delude at kdelude3028@charter.net or Judy Candage at jcandage@cericfab.com.

Membership: • Have you renewed your Mass Morgan membership???

You can renew at www.massmorgan.com, or email Judy Candage at jcandage@cericfab.com for a membership application.

Horse Show: 2016 * The show committee is planning another fun and exciting show ! Go to www.massmorgan.com for more details that will be coming soon !

Banquet Committee : * Saturday, March 26, 2016 will be the date for the Mass Morgan Horse Association Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet. It will once again be held at the beautiful Cyprian Keyes in Boylston, Ma.

More information will be posted on the website including year end point totals.The Banquet Committee is planning to make this a very enjoyable, fun evening !

Mass Morgan Horse Show...2015Submitted by: Chris Delude

The 44th Mass Morgan Horse Show was held on August 12-15, 2015 at the Eastern States Exposition Grounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Great weather, fun, relaxed competition and large numbers of horses and competitors are some of

the reasons why this horse show has become the 3rd largest Morgan horse show in the country !

Every year the show hosts a different theme which adds to the excitement and energy at the show. This year's theme, The Hunger Games, featured a center ring that focused one's attention on a horse surrounded by new "districts," each representing a different division at the show. The theme was also celebrated in the barn aisles, in the youth activities and even in the riding and driving classes with outfits complete with bows and even a quiver of arrows.

The show, managed by Molly O'Brien, hosted almost 400 horses. Conky Price livened things up as Paddock Master, and Ringmasters Jerome Parker, Joshua Noble and Grace Yaglou kept a watchful eye on the classes. Judges Tim Roesink and Lyle Wick were kept very busy judging in the main rink of the coliseum with a good number of

classes being large and very competitive. Many hunter classes had to be split. The Classic Pleasure Saddle and Driving classes, as well as, the Western, Pleasure and Park classes had high numbers and quality horses.

Many participants came to show their carriage and dressage horses, including western dressage. The weather was beautiful and the carriage judge Danute Bright was busy judging the numerous carriage classes. The X-Pro class in the carriage division was a big hit again ! The class, held in the Coliseum, was cheered on by the crowds of people that seemed to thoroughly enjoy watching the professionals and drivers compete. This year, Suzy Stafford, a renowned carriage driving trainer and instructor, competed in this event and also provided a clinic to MMHA participants. (See Suzy Stafford article that follows !)

The ridden dressage classes, judged by Janet Briggs, were also well represented with the western dressage numbers doubling from last year. The United States Equestrian Federation defines one of the goals of Western Dressage as the development of a partnership between a happy equine athlete working in harmony with their rider. A spectator at the dressage area for the 2015 MMHS would have been witness to the validity of this statement.

The MMHS always takes a great deal of pride in the Silent Auction that is held during the horse show. Over 50 items, all generously donated, were bid on. This year the proceeds went to the Anna Ela Scholarship Fund and also Winning Spirits, a non-profit organization that supports people with handicaps who are

interested in driving. This year the 2015 Mass Morgan Scholarship was awarded to Danielle Helle !

The Youth Contest, an annual event at the show, had very good participation. A large group of riders also participated in the Academy classes that were held on Saturday afternoon. In addition, the MMHS was the site for the AMHA Judges School which drew 25 attendees.

It seemed like all too quickly Saturday evening came and the show drew to a close. The parties held during the week brought old

friends together and welcomed new friends to our Mass Morgan community. The Mass Morgan Horse Show committee congratulates all who participated in the horse show this year and wishes to thank everyone who contributed to making this show such a great success.

In the words of Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games......

" I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever."

Thank you all for participating in the Mass Morgan Horse Show 2015 !

Looking forward to seeing everyone in

2016 !

Suzy Stafford at Mass Morgan !Submitted by:Andrea Pianka

If you were at Mass Morgan this year, perhaps you were fortunate enough to see Suzy Stafford competing with her super talented and beautiful Morgan mare, PVF Peace of Mind, in ridden dressage. Along with competing at this event, she also provided a demonstration and gave private lessons in the art of carriage driving. Suzy is a renowned carriage driving trainer, instructor and competitor who has been working with horses from a young age. She has driven and worked with other driving professionals including seven- time United States National Pair Combined Driving Champion, Lisa Singer.

Doug Coursey and his wife, Andrea, carriage drive with their Morgan, San Andreas Bay. Doug took advantage of the opportunity to have a lesson with Suzy. Doug says, "She's a wonderful instructor and I look forward to another chance to have a lesson with her. She reminds me a lot of Lisa Singer. You can tell she has had a hand in teaching Suzy. Suzy uses similar, easy to understand explanations and directions."

Another carriage driver, Jennifer Wood, also took advantage of taking a lesson with Suzy. She drives Equinox Encore at both open and Morgan shows. She commented, " I learned quite a bit. She took the reins over my hands to show me a few different things I could do to help with Encore's bending to the right. We have battled this for a long time and something clicked on how she was telling me and most importantly, showing me through my hands. It was a great experience and I would definitely take another lesson, given the opportunity !"

The show ended with Suzy giving some pointers and advice as well as answering questions during the awards ceremony. Much was gained from listening to her. ( Below is Suzy riding her horse PVF Peace of Mind. )

Western Dressage at Mass Morgan !Submitted by:Susan Galvin

This year at the MMHS, numbers in the Western Dressage division doubled from last year. The development of the partnership between a happy horse working in harmony with their rider was certainly obvious to anyone watching the participants in this division.

Two of the riders that showed in this division were Cathy Cammilleri riding her 15 year old Morgan, Highlander's Legacy, affectionately known as "Ace", and Susan Morrall riding her 18 year old Morgan gelding Hickory Advantanna, "Adam." Both riders show under the direction of Dottie Brittingham-Foreman of Independence Stable, Belchertown, Ma.

Cathy and Ace are in their second season working in the western dressage division. Originally Ace was purchased as a pleasure horse. Cathy has doubled her pleasure by establishing a working partnership with Ace. Their team work earned them a first place performance in the Western Dressage Introductory Level Test 2 and a second place finish in Level Test 3. They finished the season with a sixth place in Introductory Level Test 4. Cathy says she appreciated the instant feed-back from the judges that allows her to improve upon her knowledge in this popular division.

Susan and Adam were previously partners in the carriage division. They have been working in the western dressage division for less than a year. Susan describes this division as an opportunity to learn and at the same time have fun with her horse. They received a first place in Western Dressage Introductory Level Test 3, along with second place finishes in Level Test 2 and 4. Susan was proud to add these placings to her top wins at the New England Regional Morgan Horse Show and also at the Vermont Spring Classic Show.

Both riders are enjoying their Morgan horses. As competitors they have a strong sense of camaraderie for each other. They are looking forward to expanding their knowledge, improving their skills and most of all.... having fun !

Anna Ela Memorial Scholarship Winner..... Danielle HelleCongratulations to Danielle Helle, the MMHA 2015 winner of the Anna Ela Memorial Scholarship.Danielle graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Hingham, Ma and is planning on attending High Point University where she will major in Elementary Education. She is a Camp Counselor at Furnace Brook Farm and also apprenticing for a Ma Riding Instructor's License after which she plans on apprenticing as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor.

Danielle competes at the MMHS and also volunteers as a scribe at the show for the dressage division.

Mass Morgan Youth Contest... 2015The Youth Contest at the MMHS attracted a large number of participants this year. Carolyn Ritter, Youth Contest Coordinator, did an excellent job of organizing this event. The contest is composed of rigorous tests that involve a written exam, an oral presentation and interview, a riding or driving horsemanship pattern and a judging division with a reasons portion. This year Kellie Saccocia of Halifax, Ma. represented Mass Morgan in the senior division at the finals in Oklahoma City. Nicole Bobbi was the winner of the senior division but was unable to go to Oklahoma, so Kellie, as runner up, was given the opportunity to go. The winner of the Junior division was Paige Ricci. The Walk/Trot division winner was Erin Robinson.

Each year dozens of youth contests are held across the country. The senior division (ages 14 - 21) representative of the local contests qualifies to compete in the Youth of the Year Finals held at the Morgan Grand Nationals.

This year 12 girls from across the country, including Kellie, competed in the 2015 AMHA Youth of the Year Finals at the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show in Oklahoma City. On October 17th, the final evening of the show, the contest results were announced. Kellie did very well and finished in 5 th place overall ! Kellie says, "The competition was challenging but I had fun through it all. I met great people who were talented competitors and I feel honored to have been included in such a great experience. I would recommend more youth to compete to gain moreknowledge of the Morgan breed, to meet new people and have a good time while being involved." Congratulations, Kellie !

Trotting in with News from .....

USEFCongratulations to Nick Roberts !

USEF Reserve Youth Sportsmanship Award and Scholarship Winner !

Culleen Ames

4 H Regional Morgan High Point Winner !

Congratulations, Culleen and Quabbin Comanche !Culleen shared the following story about her journey with her horse:

" Five years ago Carol Wesson gave me a horse named Quabbin Comanche. Thanks to my mom, Pat Ames, and Moreland Farm, I started my new training adventure. As our training progressed, we became an unstoppable team on the A grade show circuit. In the beginning we focused on Hunt Seat, but after a year we decided to switch to Western."

Culleen was involved with the Bit of Luck and Farm Friends Horse and Ambassador 4-H Clubs. She recently joined the Franklin County Dairy Club.Last August, she competed at the Western Mass 4-H Regional Show with Comanche. Culleen says, " It was my hope to win the High Point Morgan Award. In order to compete for this award, we entered performance as well as gymkhana classes."

On Sunday afternoon the results of the weekend competition were announced. Culleen and Comanche won the Morgan High Point Award and received a halter that was donated by the Mass Morgan Horse Association.

In September, Culleen and Comanche were selected to represent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the Eastern States Exposition at a show that invites delegates from the New England 4-H Program. This is the most challenging of the shows in the 4-H circuit. This show is a week long show.

Culleen reflected that " at the beginning of the week, things went along easily" as she competed in one class per day. By the fourth day she had competed in six classes. They won two classes out of a deep field of 25 competitors.

This was a great honor for Culleen and she reports that " I was very proud to be a Massachusetts delegate and honestly, I would not trade the last five years for anything. Comanche tries hard to never disappoint me. I could not ask for a better team mate. Most people do not want a challenge, but I accept the challenge because it has made me the rider I am today."

NEMHA ..Congratulations to Judy Wesson Candage 2015 NEMHA Person of the Year !

WELCOME TO THE MMHA CHUCK WAGON

SHARE YOUR RECIPES FOR THE HORSE SHOWS,TRAIL RIDES AND ANYTHING ELSE HORSE RELATED !

CABBAGE FIESTA SOUP

1 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained ( or ground turkey) 1/2 to 3/4 head of cabbage, chopped 1 small onion, cut into rings 1 14.5 oz can tomatoes w green chilies 1 cup water 1 10.75 oz can of cheddar cheese soup (do not dilute) 1 15 oz can of kidney beans 1 cup frozen or can corn 1 small green pepper chopped 1 tsp minced garlic 1 tsp pepper Salt to taste

Brown the hamburg with garlic on the stove and drain. Add to crock pot along with the rest of the ingredients. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours !

Submitted by: Denise Pianka

Mass Morgan would like to thank all the folks renewing

and to welcome those joining for the first time! Memberships are coming in daily through the web site as well as coming in the mail! If you have any questions or difficulty with the web site, please call Judy Candage 978-265-8209

ASK The EXPERT???

What is the Super Convention that is being held in Boston in February, 2016 ?

For the first time ever, the AMHA, ASHA, AHHS, and UPHA are coming together and combining their conventions into one: The Super Convention !

The convention will present a united forum of the American Saddlebred, Hackney, American Morgan Horse and the Professional Horsemen through the presentation, discussion and celebration of each breed and those that love them.

The Super Convention of the Horse will take place at the Westin Waterfront in Boston on February 9 -13, 2016.More information can be found at www.superconvention.com

NEW

The Mass Morgan Horse Association would like to congratulate all the award winners at the Super Convention that include:

Jeff Morse.... AMHA Golden Reins Award given to the Morgan professional who has had a 30 year career in training or instruction.

Jerome Parker..... Cecil Brown Memorial SportsmanshipAward recognizing an individual who exemplifies sportsmanship in and out of the ring during horse show competition.

Steven Handy of Ma..... Young Person Award honored for his breed promotion and industry outreach.

MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE: We want to hear from you!!!! If you have a question you like to to consider, please send it along! We want to hear what you would like to know: horsemanship, nutrition, riding, etc. Please submit your questions to Judy Candage (jcandage@cericfab.com)

Massachusetts Morgan Horse AssociationPresident - Melissa Miskiv-KeeneVice President - Melissa Morrell

Secretary- Chris DeludeTreasurer - Jeff MorseClerk - Judy Candage

List of Committees:Development Committee: Melissa Miskiv -Keene - ChairpersonHorse Show Committee: Jane Morrell/Jillian Marks - Co-Chairs

Communications Committee: Chris Delude - ChairpersonYouth Committee: Susan Therrien - Chairperson

Banquet Committee: Melissa Morrell - ChairpersonFinance Committee: Jeff Morse - Chairperson

Governance Committee: Kenn Delude - ChairpersonMembership Committee - Judy Candage - Chairperson

Congratulations to Judy Wesson Candage recently elected president of the New England

Morgan Horse Association !

----------------------------------------------------------Annual Meeting and Election, March 26, 2016

If anyone is interested in serving on the MMHA Board of Directors, please contact Peter Webster at

PWebster@rockvalleytool.com on or before February 12.

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News about Henault Morgan Farm.....On January 11, 2016 there was a barn fire at the Henault Morgan Farm, a Lippitt breeding farm in

Warren, Ma. None of the horses that were in the barn were injured, but the barn and the 500 bales of hay

that were in it were lost. A fund drive has been started on GoFundMe.com. MMHA has made a donation.