USEF President Murray Kessler presents a Pegasus Medal of Honor to Mike Goebig. Photo by Adam Brennan
On Thursday night, January 18, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) honored a few select members during its annual awards banquet in Lexington, Kentucky.
The USEF President Murray Kessler presented a Pegasus Medal of Honor to three members, including Mike Goebig of Broadmoor in Kutztown, Pennsylvania.
Mike Goebig represents the heart and soul of the Morgan horse and its community. Influenced by his parents’ love for the Morgan, he opened his first public stable in 1970 in Philadelphia, PA. Throughout this 47-year span, he has produced many Morgan regional, national, and world champions. Mike made Morgan show horse history by winning the World Park Saddle Championship a record six times. Serving as President of the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) from 2005 to 2007, his leadership in the Morgan horse industry increased membership and resulted in a framework to increase AMHA’s relevancy in the greater equine industry.
Mike volunteers countless hours to share his training knowledge with others in clinics, hosted by individuals and clubs, across the United States, Canada, and England. Mike and his partner, Dwayne Knowles, have held clinics at Broadmoor, as well as welcomed local 4-H and youth clubs for educational endeavors.
In 2005, USEF awarded Mike with the C.J. ‘June’ Cronan Trophy. In 2007, Mike was inducted in to the AMHA Hall of Fame and was AMHA Man of the Year in 2012. He was selected by his peers to be the AMHA Professional of the Year in 2011. Highly respected among his professional colleagues, he was awarded the 2016 Larry Bacon Lifetime Achievement Award by the United Professional Horseman’s Association.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award, considering its past recipients,” Mike said. “It’s just not something that’s ever on your radar, and what we do for the equestrian sport is out of our heart and our passion. We want to forward it for other people to enjoy.”
Josette Conti Kain
Each year, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) members nominate their favorite NRHA Professional for top honors in several categories: The winners in each category received their award at the NRHA Convention & Awards Banquet in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on February 10.
Josette Conti Kain of Josette Conti Performances Horses in Kutztown, PA, was named NRHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year.
With more than 30 years within the industry, Josette has established herself as a respected, successful rider and trainer within NRHA. A member since 1991, Josette has been actively involved with NRHA at both the state and national levels. She is actively involved with her local affiliate, the Tri-State Reining Horse Association (TSRHA), serves as an NRHA Judge, and hosts reining horse clinics.
Born in Bethlehem, PA, Josette grew up riding pony hunters and junior jumpers. While in high school, she rode at Koehler Stables in Bethlehem.
In 1977, she expanded her experiences to include western pleasure when she started working at Willow Brook Farm in Catasaqua, PA. In 1985, her farrier, Gene Bradner, introduced Josette to Lou Workman when they visited his farm in Woodstown, New Jersey. Lou bred and trained several super star reiners. Josette met Dick Pieper in 1985 when he came to Willow Brook for a clinic, and got the ball rolling with Josette launching into the sport of reining.
“Dick had a strong belief in me,” Josette said about the past NRHA President and Hall of Famer. “Dick was a tremendous help in working with me so I got to be good and successful with reining horses.”
In 1993, she opened her own training facility, Josette Conti Performance Horses, where she trains and coaches horses and riders of all ages and levels.
“Josette inspires us all to do and give our best each and every time, not just in the show pen, but to ride better every time you step on a horse,” said Tammy Masser, a Non Pro rider from Milton, PA.
In 2000, Josette rode her five-year-old Quarter Horse stallion, San Angelo Texas, to the Reserve NRHA Intermediate Open Championship. She also won the 2000 Carolina Classic Derby with her stallion. She won the 1999 Firecracker Derby with Flashy Genuine Jack
Josette has won world titles in the Morgan horse world with Acquilas Diplomat, owned by Donna Franchetti, and with Cindy Nord’s geldings CN Pocket Change and Petty Cash, 2007 World Open Morgan Reining Champion. Josette and Concert Danaka, owned by Kathy Gutting, won the 2006 Reserve World Open Morgan Reining Championship.
Josette also enjoys teaching green, rookie and non-pro riders, and they have gone on to win many successful trophies and awards.
“I love working with horses,” Josette said. “NRHA is an outstanding organization, and it provides people of all riding levels and interests ways to get involved with reining.
“The art of reining and the way in which the sport is advancing, I’m never done learning. There is always something to work toward. It’s what keeps me going to the barn every day.
“Winning this award is a great feeling, but it’s hard to explain,” Josette continued. “I am honored that NRHA recognized me. I’m so lucky to do what I love. It’s hard work, but all it takes to rejuvenate me is an afternoon off.”