Quoting Barb Irvine in the latest issue of The Morgan Horse magazine, “Futurity classes were held (saturday morning) and, throughout the show, there are classes for Futurity Alumni, providing another opportunity to earn some bucks! Pretty great program, right?”
Right! It IS a pretty great program! Breeders from New York, as well as Missouri, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, New England and Canada have participated in this Futurity since 1959. We should be proud of this—the oldest continuous Morgan Futurity.
I know the weanling premiums are always small. The weanlings are just starting their contributions. Their owners/breeders are counting on their foals being the best foal from that year. Just ask Kate Kirsch, whose filly won the weanling Futurity Championship and the Stallion Service Auction Sweepstakes, ably led by Josh Piatt. But as the renominations come in year after year, the rewards do grow. And, if you happen to sell one of those youngsters, original nominators will get a check from the Futurity when that filly or colt is a Champion or Reserve Champion in hand, just for nominating the sire and/or dam. Many of the foals nominated are never shown in the in hand portion of the Futurity. There are three performance classes held: yearling, two year old driving, three year old driving and three year old saddle. Not only do these classes have prize money, but they can also serve as your qualifying class for their respective Championship. Two ways to qualify for those Junior Championships, English, Western, Hunter and Driving.
Some Futurity horses do not show at all in their three and under years. Graduating Futurity horses are eligible to participate in the Futurity Alumni Program. With no additional fees to the Futurity, they are eligible for LIFE to participate in the Alumni classes, English, Western, Hunter, Classic, Driving and Dressage. That’s $1,500 in premiums every year! These classes are also the qualifiers for their respective championships. Even if the horse is sold, as long as the owner is a NYSMHS member, they can participate. People often call to find out if their horse is a Futurity graduate. Quite a selling point.
- Premiums in Futurity in hand classes
- Premiums in Futurity Performance classes
- Premiums for original nominators
- Premiums for current owners
- Premiums for Futurity Alumni classes
- Qualifiers for Championships
What are you waiting for? All foals must be nominated by December of the year they are born. Yearlings are NOT eligible if they were not nominated as weanlings. Have faith in your breeding program. There are lots of foals out there this year. Think ahead. Support your NYSMHS unique Futurity. Not sure? Ask Steve Herz and Christine Gelineau, they have been nominating foals longer than anyone else! A big thanks to Steve and Chris! A pretty great program, right?
— Mary Ellen Mulligan