SHELBURNE — Stephen Davis of New Haven recently was inducted in the American Morgan Horse Association’s (AMHA) Hall of Fame. The announcement was made at the Association’s annual convention on Saturday, Feb. 9, in San Antonio, Texas. 
As Director of the UVM Morgan Horse Farm in Vermont for 32 years, Davis developed the traditional and versatile Morgan horse while maintaining the blueprint of his predecessor Dr. Donald Balch’s focus on strong broodmare families in the farm’s breeding program.
When presenting Davis with the award, the AMHA noted his perennially young attitude and positive in outlook. “Davis radiates enthusiasm, particularly when talking about his passions: the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm and the Morgan horse. Davis devoted his time to fiscal responsibility, supervising staff and volunteers, and working on fundraising on top of managing the breeding program and training and showing the horses,” to citation stated.
“Dr. Balch began the popular apprentice program and this continued under Davis’s direction and mentorship.” it continued. “More than 300 men and women have graduated from the program, many of them Morgan trainers today. Davis also devoted countless hours to educational clinics and as an admired Morgan judge across the country. Thousands of people across the country have Davis to thank for introducing them to the breed. Without the UVM farm and its contributions, the Morgan breed would be very different, and Steve clearly understood both the honor and responsibility he had as director of the Farm.”