Our History
Pinchona is one of Alabama’s oldest dressage and boarding
stables established in 1969 by Colonel Howard J. Morris, Jr.,
the founder of Dressage in Alabama. Morris had a distinguished
career in the horse world. He served on the board of directors
of the American Horse Shows Association. He was a founding director
of the United States Combined Training Association and a board
member of the American Dressage Institute and president of the
United States Pony Clubs and started Pinchona Pony Club, which
is still active today.
His serious interest in dressage dated back to 1937. He trained
all of his own horses. In the days prior to widespread dressage
interest, he helped publicize the sport by giving numbers of
exhibitions at horseshows throughout the South. He and the stallion “Midnight” were
invited to join the squad preparing for the 1952 Olympic Games.
Military service prevented his joining the team training sessions.
His love of the sport and horses were evident in every aspect
of his life. Royal Tiger, and Anglo Arabian was his last stallion
that he rode. He trained horses and gave lessons until his death
at age 92.
In his honor, the Montgomery Area Dressage and Combined Training
Association awarded him a lifetime membership. For those of us
that knew and loved him, the memories of Colonel Morris sitting
in his golf cart under the large oak tree adjacent to the dressage
arena with a Dalmatian at his side barking out instructions to
the rider brings a smile.
Even today the presence of Colonel Morris and his wife Sue are
still felt. Some riders think they have heard him give an encouraging
word as they ride in the dressage arena by the letter M under
the oak tree. This was Colonel’s favorite spot to watch
students and give instructions. Many a student would hear him
say “Ride Up” and that meant to ride up to the tree
and discuss the day’s lesson.
Marianne has boarded her horses at Pinchona since1979. Pinchona
has always been a spiritual retreat for her. After Colonel’s
death, Sue announced that she was selling the farm. Marianne
could not bear to leave Pinchona and asked her husband, David
if they could buy the farm. In the August of 2003 they became
the proud owners of Pinchona.
Marianne and David have the same philosophy as Colonel and Sue, “Welcome
to Pinchona, the gate is always open.”
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