Each year, the Mid Ohio Walking Horse Association sponsors High Point awards to honor the horses and riders accumulating the most competition points at our affiliated shows. In order to qualify, horse must be nominated and the owner must be a member of MOWHA. The High Point Awards are presented at a banquet held in January each year, which also gives the membership a chance to gather together during the long winter months for a social and dinner, and of course, an awards ceremony.

Congratulations to all of MOWHA’s 2007 High Point Award winners who were honored on January 26, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. This year’s banquet was held at Dave and Busters, and orchestrated by Susie Mackanos, who did a wonderful job in putting together this event. There was a slide presentation of all the photos submitted from the membership from 2007, and during the awards portion of the evening, the screen was turned over to the winners as their placings and divsions were called. This was a very nice addition to the evening.

Tracy Weier emceed the evening and awards were presented by President, Mag Ranft and Wendy Kaufman. Joyce Moyer gave an update on some of the exciting events TWHBEA has running for 2008 and Terry Moyer presented the Trail Committees plans for the coming year. Terry also took the podium to present the Trail Miles awards for 2007. Megan Mackanos and Sara Roberts greeted all as they arrived at the Registration table and Emma Krock and Katie Larsen helped to manage getting the silent auction up and running, and when the auction closed Patty Janisch assisted in tallying the totals and collecting the winning bids. Special thanks to all of these folks as well as to everyone that donated items to the auction, and participated in the bidding which raised $650 for the club.

Overall High Point award winners included Allison Thorson in the Youth Division, Katie Wallrabenstein in th e Open Show and Versatility Youth Horse divisions, and the High Point Horse in the Walking Horse Division was Pride’s Striding Generator owned by Carol Miletic. The High Point Trainer’s award was retired in 2007 with Jim Potter once again winning the silver tray.

Attendees of the banquet were asked to vote on the 2007 Sportsmanship award and were given a slate of 4 very worthy candidates who had been nominated for consideration at the November election meeting. In the running this year were John Davis, Nancy Eakins, Roger King, and Susie Mackanos. They were chosen for their outstanding contributions to the club in 2007. After some close voting, Nancy Eakins was awarded the new perpetual Sportsmanship Trophy presented in memory of Evelyn Williams.

Many thanks to all who supported and attended the 2007 MOWHA High Point Awards Banquet, and to Susie Mackanos who organized the event. And once again, congratulations to all of our High Point Awards winners.

2007 MOWHA High Point Awards Results