More than 1,000 Morgan horses are gathered in Oklahoma City this week for the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show, which runs through October 15.
The show will take place in three separate arenas showcasing the versatility of Morgan horses. National and World Champions will be crowned in saddle seat, hunt seat, western and driving divisions as well as hunter over fences and jumpers, dressage, carriage driving and reining. One recent addition to the wide variety of classes is the western dressage final. Western dressage is a relatively new discipline designed to combine classical dressage training with western horsemanship.
Another highlight of the Grand National is the Youth of the Year finals. Throughout the season, American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) members under age 21 can compete at state and regional Youth of the Year contests where they are scored on a written test, a ridden pattern, a judging contest and an oral presentation. Local winners are then eligible to compete in the national competition. The national Youth of the Year winner receives a prize package that includes: educational opportunities, such as internships or trips to national conventions; rewards including scholarships or custom riding apparel; and the opportunity to serve as a breed ambassador at national conventions.
The first official Morgan Grand National was held in Detroit in 1973. The show was moved to Oklahoma City in 1975. Oklahoma City was selected as a more central location for Morgan exhibitors from coast to coast.
Spectators can watch the show at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds daily at 9 am, 1 pm and 7 pm. Admission is free on weekdays. This year is the first that the live webcast of the Grand National is available for free. All three rings will be available for online viewing. To watch the show, visit www.mgnlive.com or www.usefnetwork.com.
Leslie Potter is a graduate of William Woods University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Science with a concentration in saddle seat riding and a minor in Journalism/Mass Communications. She is currently a writer and photographer in Lexington, Ky. Potter worked as a barn manager and riding instructor and was a freelance reporter and photographer for the Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar and Saddle Horse Report before moving to Lexington to join Horse Illustrated as Web Editor from 2008 to 2019. Her current equestrian pursuits include being a grown-up lesson kid at an eventing barn and trail riding with her senior Morgan gelding, Snoopy.
Good luck to all of the competitors! Stay safe and have a good time.
My friend is there competing. Good luck Julia
Thanks for sharing this. I can't wait to see it.
Hope every one has a great time, and I bet every horse thee is beautiful.
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