2008 Horseperson of the Year is Guy Warner
  
The Minnesota Horse Council announced the selection of Guy Warner as 2008 Horse Person of the Year at their Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on Saturday, January 17, 2009.  
 
The award is presented each year to someone who shows long-term service and commitment to the equine industry in the Midwest.  Numerous letters were submitted to the committee regarding Warner’s professionalism, history of many hours of volunteering, generosity, kindness, knowledge, talents, leadership and dedication to the horse world. Warner is the 39th recipient of this award.  
 
Warner has put in over 40 years of service – both equine related and community related.  He served 10 years in the Minnesota National Guard with final rank of Sergeant First Class, specializing in the Field of Artillery. He has served as past President of North Central Morgan Horse Association (NCMA), and as a horse show committee member for 3 years.  He has served as past President of Tri-State Horsemen’s Association, and is still actively involved with them today. Guy Warner has been both a board member and Officer of American Horse Shows Association (AHSA) – serving as chairman of the Relocation Task Force of the AHSA offices move from New York, NY to Lexington, KY.  He has also served as chairman and member of the National Nominating Committee of the United States Equestrian Foundation (USEF). Most recently, he served on the Audit Committee of the United States Equestrian Foundation (USEF).  Currently, he is a member of the Minnesota State Fair Foundation, serving as Vice-Chair and Chairman of the Audit Committee. In non-horse related activities, he is Chairman of the Board of Directors for Warner Manufacturing Company as well as President of the American Cutlery Manufacturers Association.  He is also co-founder and President of the St. Bonifacius/Minnetrista Crime Fund.
 
Warner is best known as the announcer at the Minnesota State Fair as well as other Midwest shows, including the prestigious St. Louis Charity Show.  Warner has served as Ringmaster/Horse Show Announcer for Performance Horse Classes including Hunters, Jumpers, Draft Horse “Hitch Classes”, Morgans, Arabians, American Saddlebreds, Tennessee Walking Horses, National Show Horses, Hackney and Harness Ponies, Minirature Horses as well as others when necessary.   He always tries to educate the audience as to the inner workings of the mysterious world of horse shows with tidbits of information. He has also served as emcee for many award banquets as well, and always entertains with his spontaneous humor.
 
Warner has been an owner, an exhibitor, and an enthusiastic supporter of family training, showing and winning on a National basis.  Warner has been married to wife Pauline for 44 years and has helped raise 3 wonderful children – Carrie (husband Barry), Cathy (husband Mike) and Craig (wife Cindy). He currently has five precious grandchildren.

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