Vermont Governor Proclaims September "Morgan Horse Month" by the American Morgan Horse Association

Vermont Governor Jim Douglas has proclaimed September to be "Morgan Horse Month" in Vermont, celebrating the famous breed that is also Vermont's State Animal. "I am glad to proclaim a month in honor of this magnificent animal, especially on the centennial anniversary of the founding of the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA)," Douglas said.

"This is a fitting time to honor the State Animal, only days before the historic re-creation of the 1796 race between the breed's founding stallion and two New York horses in Brookfield," Douglas said.

A stretch of road where Figure raced against and defeated two New York horses has forever been known as the "Morgan Mile." On Saturday, September 12, trotting races were held to commemorate the event on Morgan Mile Road in Brookfield, VT.

"In addition to the 'Morgan Mile' races, the Association and the National Museum of the Morgan Horse will be hosting several parties to celebrate the centennial, including receptions at the Morgan Grand National & World Championship Horse Show in Oklahoma City and at the National Museum of the Morgan Horse," said Julie Broadway, AMHA Executive Director.

"We hope everyone will join the staff and board of directors on Friday, November 6, 2009, in Shelburne for this wonderful occasion," Broadway said.

In 1909, 57 Morgan horse enthusiasts joined together to officially establish the American Morgan Horse Club, which became the American Morgan Horse Association, Inc., in 1941.

According to Broadway, roughly 50 farms are raising Morgan horses in Vermont, including the historic UVM Morgan Horse Farm, and there are about 3,300 Morgans in the state out of a national population of about 95,000.

In 1961, the Vermont Legislature designated the Morgan horse the official State Animal.