Mikala Munter Makes CDI Show Come Back as an American on Salsa Hit

Sat, 01/26/2019 - 07:16
2019 CDI Wellington
Mikala Munter and Salsa Hit :: Photo © JRPR

The Gold Coast Dressage Association (GCDA) Season Opener held a lot of “firsts” for Danish Grand Prix team rider Mikala Munter.  After not having shown at a CDI since February 2017, Munter was excited to get back into the big show rings in Wellington.

The Wellington, florida based Danish rider, formerly known as Mikala Gundersen, has declared for the U.S.A. and the CDI Wellington Gold Coast Opener was her first time back into the show ring since the retirement of her top horse My Lady. Adding to the excitement of the ride was the fact that this was Munter’s first CDI show as an American citizen.

“I wanted to get my horses out and feel how it was to be back in the ring,” she explains, “I love it, and I’ve missed it, and I’m so excited to be back in the arena!”  

Riding the 10-year old Oldenburg gelding, Salsa Hit, owned by Cara Broderick, in his first international competition, Munter showed the crowd she’s definitely back in the game. “There is a lot of fire in this horse,” Munter smiles.  The pair rode their way to a score of 68.265 in the CDI2* Prix St. Georges.  

Munter, who hails from Denmark, received her US citizenship papers just three months ago, and now says she feels like she is even more a part of the Wellington community.  

Munter runs a professional training yard in Wellington, called Bell Tower Farm. She has a new Grand Prix horse in the wings, Farbentanz.

“Janne Rumbough purchased a new horse for the partnership,” Munter describes, “We have high hopes for this horse!” she adds. Munter goes on to explain that this 11-year old Hanoverian bred gelding Farbentanz (by  by First Dance x Alabaster x World Cup II x Wapiti) is currently schooling all the Grand Prix movements, and will be making his debut later this season. 

She also adds that she’s working with Lisa Lipari’s horse, De La Vinci, who will be coming out in the CDI small tour, as well as a Danish Warmblood named Skyfall who is currently schooling in Grand Prix and may come out later this season or early next year. 

Related Links
Rumbough Acquires Farbentanz as New Fun Project for Mikala Munter to Ride
Mikala Munter and Janne Rumbough Retire My Lady from Sport