PURPOSE
This Futurity is sponsored and administered by the Old Dominion Morgan Horse Association (ODMMHA) to encourage continued improvement in the breeding of Morgan horses in the Commonwealth of Virginia, by providing an incentive to those investing in facilities and breeding stock within the State.

ELIGIBILITY
Horses to be nominated must be registered in the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Registry or be eligible for registration, if under 12 months of age. Participation in the Futurity is limited to current members of ODMHA, regardless of their State of residence.

NOMINATIONS AND RENEWALS
Horses will not be required to show in Futurity halter classes, but to remain eligible, their nominators will be required to make all payments in the amounts specified. All nomination fees are payable to the ODMHA.

Horses changing ownership will be permitted to remain eligible if fees are paid. Nominations postmarked by December 31 of the year of eligibility will be accepted at regular fees.

A class entry fee will be charged for horses showing in the futurity classes. The class entry fee will be $10 per horse.  

Foals of the Current Year: Foals are to be nominated for a fee of $50.00, postmarked by June 30 of the current year. Nominations and fees postmarked July 1 through December 31 accepted at double the fees. (Note: The sire and dam of the foal must also be nominated in its year of birth only, as stated below.)

Stallions: The sires of the current year’s foals entered in this futurity must be nominated for a fee of $50.00, which must be postmarked by June 30. Nominations and fees postmarked July 1 through December 31 accepted at double the fees. This fee will be required only once per year per stallion, regardless of the number of his offspring nominated, and may be paid by the stallion owner or foal owner. The person making the nomination will be entitled to any awards or special prizes awarded to the stallion for that year.

Mares: The dams of the current year’s foals entered in this Futurity may be nominated for a fee of $25.00. The nomination and fee must be postmarked by June 30. Nominations and fees postmarked July 1 through December 31 accepted at double the fees.

Nominations of Renewals: Yearlings, 2-year-olds, and 3-year-olds may be nominated for a fee of $35, which must be postmarked by June 30 if they are to be shown in the current year. Nominations and fees postmarked July 1 through December 31 accepted at double the fees.  Renewal nominations must include the correct AMHA registry number.

JUDGING
Judging of entries will be held Thursday October 1, 2009 at The Meadow Event Park, Doswell Virginia.      All Futurity in-hand classes will be divided by age and sex, and will be judged according to class specifications for the regular In-Hand Division, including specialty in-hand. Exhibitors may show their horses according to the specialty for which the horse is intended, i.e. English, Western, Hunter, Sport Horse. All in-hand classes will be divided by age and sex, and will be judged on quality, type, and conformation.

PRIZE FUNDS AND AWARDS
The prize fund for the Futurity will consist of all fees paid for nominations, renewal nominations, class entry fees, late fees, and added donations received by the conclusion of the Futurity. All fees received after the conclusion of the show will be carried into the next year and distributed to the appropriate age groups. Up to 10 percent of any money may be used for administration. The payouts will be made no later than thirty days following the conclusion of the show.

Each year the Sire and Dam nomination fees will be added to the premiums of the weanlings, yearlings, 2-year-olds, and 3-year-olds, divided equally. Class entry fees will be added to the prize money of the appropriate age groups (see Nominations).

Within each age group, money will be divided on a pro-rated basis. For example, if six fillies and four colts are shown, sixty percent of the total funds for the age group will be paid to fillies, and forty percent to the colts.

Premiums will be awarded on the following basis:
First place, 35 percent; second place, 25 percent; third place, 20 percent; fourth place, 10 percent; fifth place, 5 percent; and sixth place, 5 percent each of the available premium money in each age/sex group.

If there are fewer than six entries in the ring for judging, the distribution of premiums will be adjusted. All money will be paid out. The legal owner of the entry will be the recipient of the money.

Futurity High Score Awards: Horses who maintain eligibility through their 3-year-old years will be eligible for high score awards based on the results of their placements in halter classes during their yearling through 3-year-old years. These awards are to be presented at the ODMHA annual awards banquet.

FUTURITY COMMITTEE
The Futurity Committee shall be comprised of five members. The 2008 Committee is Beryl Herzog, Byran Childress, Sandy Monolo, Nancy Brooks, Lynn Ramsey, and Mary Ann Massie,

The Futurity Committee is responsible for administration of the Futurity. This includes collection and disbursement of funds, and reporting of financial activities to the ODMHA as required. In cases of dispute, the Committee has the right to render a decision by majority vote, and that decision shall be final. Any changes in rules will be made by this Committee by a majority vote of the Committee members.

The Registrar of this Committee will maintain records of eligibility and all financial transactions. Administrative costs may be up to 10 percent of all fees and donations. An annual Futurity business report will be made to the membership of the ODMHA at the annual meeting. The written report will be submitted to the President.