Wellington, FL – Now in its third year, the NARG Riders’ Grant is designed to afford an emerging rider, dedicated to the sport of show jumping, an opportunity to achieve levels they would otherwise not be able to attain without a boost. The grant provides the winner with $15,000 USD for expenses within North America approved by the NARG Board.
The North American Riders Group congratulates 21-year-old Anita Mont of Wisconsin as the recipient of the 2014 NARG Riders’ Grant.
Mont’s history began like many young girls. “Even though no one in my family rode, I have always had a love for horses. As a child, I didn’t play with dolls. I preferred horses. I constantly begged my parents for riding lessons. When I was 5 years old, my mother found a coupon in the newspaper for lessons at a local stable. I was hooked at the first lesson and I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to jump…”
Among her accomplishments over the years, Mont took a three-year-old pony with 30 days under saddle all the way to Pony Finals as well as tenaciously working with a difficult mare and qualifying her for Junior Hunter Finals. Now as a professional, Mont is training and campaigning a young jumper and bringing along two homebred yearlings.
Developing horses, catch riding and working with a variety of experts to hone her skills from care to training and sales to competing, Mont is ceaseless in her desire to learn. Branching out from her Wisconsin roots, she has worked with and for trainers in Minnesota, Kentucky, New Jersey and Illinois, including six months as a working student for Chris Kappler Inc. from October 2011 to April 2012.
Anita Mont and Blizzerd – by Shawn McMillen
After years of devotion to every aspect of being an equestrian, Mont’s parents were well aware that their daughter had an enduring passion and was willing to put in the work to achieve her goals. With this in mind, they purchased a 20-stall barn in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, to help her establish a breeding and training business. Mont took on a lion’s share of the responsibilities of farm management, while continuing to further her education in the saddle. When Mont decided to turn professional, her parents offered her full ownership of the training business, aptly named Dare To Dream Farm, LLC.
When asked how she would utilize the grant money, Mont explained the essence of a young professional’s path, one that indicates the pursuit of the dream. “While showing is important, I feel training is the key to success. The grant money will allow me to obtain much more valuable training than I could otherwise afford. Since coming to Florida this winter, I have already reached out to some trainers and recently started working with Anne Kursinski. I will also be able to compete at WEF more than my original tight budget would’ve allowed. There is no doubt that I will work hard to make the most of the NARG Riders’ Grant.”
NARG, and the grant recipients, are extremely grateful to the Southern-Heathcott family who make this grant possible.
About the North American Riders Group – NARG
The North American Riders Group, NARG, remains steadfast in achieving an essential goal – improving our sport so that once again show jumping in North America will rank among the greatest in the world. It takes teamwork to achieve a goal of this magnitude. Representing the riders, trainers and owners in North America, NARG takes the necessary steps to work openly with show organizers, governing bodies and associations, as collectively we all make up the team that must evolve with the times to see this come to fruition.
With your participation, NARG’s voice becomes incrementally stronger and clearer. To bring change we must be able to speak with a singular voice. Join us. Visit www.narg.org or call 561.386.4525 for more details.
