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The American Saddlebred Horse Association is now accepting nominations for the 2017 YEAR END AWARDS to be presented during the 2018 UPHA Annual Convention.

Members wishing to make nominations for ASHA Year End Awards should respond in writing explaining in detail why an individual is deserving of a specific award. The nominations are reviewed by the ASHA Executive Committee and other committees as necessary; no more than three finalists in each category are chosen to be voted upon by the full Board of Directors on October 30.

• Lifetime Achievement Award -- Honors a person for his or her lifelong contributions to the Saddlebred industry, dedication to the improvement of the breed, and support of American Saddlebred Horse Association. 2017 winner: Joan Lurie
• Breeder of the Year Award -- Recipients are chosen based on a statistical analysis of their successful show performance during the entire competition year, relying on records produced by the American Saddlebred Registry. Only ASHA members are eligible. 2017 winner: Scott Hagan
• Breeders Hall of Fame Award -- For a person(s) involved with a successful breeding operation which has made an impact on the American Saddlebred breed and industry. A breeder who over a lifetime has shown or proven serious interest in betterment for the breed; consistently shown improvement and eagerness to learn; exhibited good sportsmanship and good horsemanship; demonstrated long-term interest; had success with more than one horse; has reached a pinnacle of success; and has unselfishly given to others, and encouraged other breeders, in an effort to better the breed. Only ASHA members are eligible. 2017 winner: Mary Gaylord McClean
• C.J. Cronan Sportsmanship Award -- Recipients are chosen for their sportsmanship and their contributions to the breed. Such attributes considered are participation in ASHA programs, support of ASHA, and contributions to the ideals of ASHA. Only ASHA members are eligible. This award goes to a male. 2017 winner: William Marple
• Lurline Roth Sportsmanship Award -- Recipients are chosen for their sportsmanship and contributions to the breed. Such attributes considered are participation in ASHA programs, support of ASHA, and contributions to the ideals of ASHA. Only ASHA members are eligible. This award goes to a female. 2017 Winner: Kathy Capsuto-Walker
• Frank Ogletree Youth Award -- Honors one youth each year who has exhibited a sportsmanlike attitude throughout his or her show career. Nominees must be active ASHA Junior Members who have demonstrated participation and achievement within the show ring, exhibited positive personal characteristics, as well as having served as true role models for their peers. 2017 winner: Eleanor and Caroline Rainbolt-Forbes
• Paul and Dorothy Gillenwater Family Award -- Awarded in recognition of the American Saddlebred as the ideal family breed, with a suitable horse and competition division for participation by each member of a family. The honoree shall be recognized for its sportsmanship and dedication as an entire family to the advancement of Saddlebreds, as amateurs and purely for the love of sport, whether for recreation, competition, breeding, or otherwise. Only ASHA members are eligible. 2017 winner: Lackey/Sanchez Family
• Meritorious Service Award -- Honors persons for their contributions to ASHA on almost all levels over a long period of time. Only ASHA members are eligible.
  2017 winner: Charles Herbert Jr.
• Wing Commander Medal -- Individuals receive this honor for demonstrating outstanding service to ASHA and the breed, and through their dedication, have attracted interest in the highest quality show horses of the breed, thereby contributing to advancing the popularity of American Saddlebreds to the public. Only ASHA members will be considered for this honor. 2017 winners: Nancy-Leigh Fisher, Carolyn Koch, and Mollie Kregor
• Gordon Jenkins International Award -- This award is designed to honor a person who has gone the extra mile to introduce and promote the American Saddlebred horse to other countries. Candidates must be ASHA members. 2017 winner: Bridget Parker
• Wing Tempo Award -- An American Saddlebred receiving this award has achieved excellence of the highest order in disciplines and venues not typically considered within the standard show ring structure. To receive consideration for this award, horses must be registered with the American Saddlebred Registry.  Nominations are reviewed by the ASHA Sport Horse Committee for recommendation to the ASHA Board of Directors and a winner will be selected by vote of all Directors. This is a discretionary award which may not be presented on an annual basis. 2017 winner: Genius Northern Tuxedo

The Wing Commander Medal of Honor recipients receive a polished brass Wing Commander Medal of Honor, which is affixed to a grey and maroon ribbon. All other award winners receive a silver julep cup, and the Frank Ogletree Youth winner also receives a lifetime ASHA membership.

The deadline for submission of nominations is October 25, 2017. Nominations may be emailed to b.newell@asha.net (with "Award Nomination” in the subject line). Nominations may also be faxed to (859) 259-1628, or mailed to: American Saddlebred Horse Association, Attn: Brenda Newell, 4083 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511.

To view the full list of ASHA Year End Awards, criteria, nomination and selection requirements, and list of previous winners, visit the ASHA website.

-- via ASHA