Monkarsh Wears the Grand Adult Crown
On Thursday in the Outdoor Arena, the Adult Amateur Hunters ran throughout the day with three age divisions. Glenda Monkarsh and Wroyal Jester placed second and third over fences and won the under saddle to take the top prize in the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 division. Monkarsh also finished as reserve champion with her horse Hush Money, who was first and third over fences and fourth in the under saddle.
Monkarsh and Wroyal Jester were awarded the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Championship sponsored by Steve Martines. They were presented with The Equus Entries Challenge Trophy donated by Equus Entries and Sue and Ralph Caggiano. Monkarsh won the Best Adult Amateur Rider Award sponsored by Phoebe Weseley and River Run Farm LLC. Her trainer, Nick Haness, was presented with The Gail Knieriem Memorial Trophy sponsored by Evermore.
Glenda Monkarsh and Wroyal Jester in their winning presentation with trainer Nick Haness. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Having ridden as a “lesson kid” in Ohio at Jeff Gogul’s Maypine Farms, Monkarsh continued riding in adulthood. In her first appearance at Capital Challenge, Monkarsh was bucked off and broke her pelvis, spending five days in the trauma center in Maryland. The fall necessitated a break from riding, but she returned to horses and showing afterward with the support of her husband and daughter, who is now 12 years old.
Monkarsh began riding with Nick Haness two years ago and now lives in Las Vegas, NV. Owner Tom Rattigan couldn’t compete with Wroyal Jester over the summer, so Monkarsh leased him. Known as “Waffles” in the barn, Monkarsh captured championships from the start in Traverse City, Kentucky, and the Hampton Classic Horse Show and will continue to lease him until next summer.
“What an incredible, kind, gentle horse,” she said of the seven-year-old American Performance Horse stallion by Widmark bred by Meg Williams. “I've been riding since I was six years old. I've never met a horse like this with such a mature brain for such a young guy.”
Wroyal Jester and Glenda Monkarsh
While Monkarsh was initially wary of starting to ride a young horse, she was reassured by Haness.
“Nick's been incredible. He's really someone that I admire,” she expressed. “I remember watching him ride as a kid. Seeing him excel in his career has been such an incredible inspiration. I am very thankful to ride and train at this level with him. To have Nick find horses for me and help me figure out a way that I can continue to participate in the sport has been just incredible.”
Adult Amateur Hunter 50 & Over
Sponsored by Ocean Echo
Champion: Chilled, Rindy Dominguez, Rindy Dominguez
Reserve: Lord Fantasy KWG, Mimi Moulton, Privet Farm, LLC
Chilled and Rindy Dominguez
Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49
Champion: Wroyal Jester, Tom Rattigan, Glenda Monkarsh
Reserve: Hush Money, Glenda Monkarsh, Glenda Monkarsh
Kalvarie and Madeline Briggs
Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35
Sponsored by Lainie Wimberly and Brigadoon Show Stables, Inc.
Champion: Kalvarie, Madeline Briggs, The Kalvarie Group
Reserve: Symbolique, Morera Equine LLC, Erin Morera