The ODMHA Show Committee was pleased to announce the premier of a new trophy in 2009 at their fall show on Labor Day Weekend, at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia. Donated by Sylvia Brohawn of Showoffs Equine Displays, the ODMHA Supreme Sport Horse Award intends to celebrate the combination of true Morgan type with versatile ability.

This trophy will be presented at the fall show to the Morgan horse that has won the Justin Morgan Standard Class three times, High Point Sport Horse three times, and first place in Sport Horse Suitability in its division three times at the ODMHA fall show. It is open to stallions, mares, and geldings, and it intends to encourage breeders to strive to combine form with function that is true to the original purpose and appearance of the Morgan.

The first ODMHA Supreme Sport Horse Award was presented to Harwich Tyrant, bred by Michelle Scott of Missalette Farm. Michelle accepted the trophy for Tyrant, along with Clara Hendin of Rohan Morgans, who was instrumental in developing Tyrant’s sport horse talents, from Sylvia Brohawn.

Harwich Tyrant, presented by his trainer and rider, Kimber Sobeck, was the winner of the Justin Morgan Standard Class at Old Dominion in 2002, 2004, and 2008. He placed first in Sport Horse Suitability Stallions & Geldings in 2004, 2006, and 2008, and he was High Point Sport Horse in those years as well.

This year, Tyrant was judged Grand Champion in Sport Horse Suitability by Judge Brian Ross at the Mid-A Show, with a score of 78.5, whose comment was “Very good stock – has presence and good qualities.” He was also Reserve Champion Working Hunter at Mid-A. He has won top honors at Morgan “A” shows in Classic Pleasure, Road Hack, and of course, the Sport Horse Divisions. He has been presented with Championship ribbons at Lippitt Shows in Kentucky and Vermont, in Carriage Driving Pleasure and Hunt Seat Pleasure. In 2007, Tyrant won the Allen’s Major Award from The Lippitt Club for having the most horse show points of any Lippitt or Half-Lippitt in 2006.

In open competition, Tyrant has achieved the AMHA Bronze Medallion in Eventing, with his long-time friend and trainer, Kimber Sobeck. His offspring have made Morgan enthusiasts of their owners, with daughters like Harwich Mayfly – a many-times Working Hunter Champion – and Harwich Bon Voyage – an Eventing star! Harwich Lalique will be a force to reckon with on the hunt field and in Competitive Trail, and Harwich Dido is already getting her hoofs wet in the show ring this weekend. Harwich Tarquin is showing the South how they could have won “the war” at re-enactments.

Michelle thanked the ODMHA for the chance to showcase Tyrant’s talents, Clara Hendin for her support and encouragement in developing Tyrant’s abilities, and Sylvia Brohawn for such a gorgeous tribute to Tyrant’s achievements.