from Monte America

Pompano Beach, FL — The 2013 leading Monte America performers in the United States (horses, riders and trainers based on earnings) are shown below. Congratulations to all for making the monte season memorable and for setting the stage for future years’ growth.

The equine leaders were Flex The Muscle and Vassar Hall with three wins each. Ray Schnittker posted three riding wins versus two each for Michelle Crawford and Helene Gregory. Schnittker and Brett Crawford earned three training victories.

Horses: Flex The Muscle led the U.S. equine monte competitors with three wins in five starts, earning $19,750. Vassar Hall recorded three wins but did not hit the top five in money earnings that also included single dash winners Chinese Cuisine ($14,420), Master Pine ($9.250), A Penny Earned ($6,500) and the consistent non-winner Muscolo ($7,004). Other monte winners during the season included Andover America, Admirable Hanover, John-Michael, Motown Dream Girl, First Tail U See, Pointe Of Honour, Fort Valley As and Sundance Bayama.

Riders: Ray Schnittker earned three wins with his trainee Flex The Muscle for earnings of $19,750. Helene Gregory recorded two wins for $14,250 with the other top five money winners being Tina Duer (one win for $14,420), Jenny Melander (one win for $8,520) and Karen Isbell ($7,250 earned with one victory). Other winners included two-time dash winner Michelle Crawford and single dash winners Heather Reese, Tara Hynes, Jennifer Lowery, Ashley Eldred, Jennifer Connor, Therese Lindgren, Melinda Giroso and Mary Dolce-Conti.

Trainers: Schnittker also led the trainer category in 2013 with three wins and $19,750. Brett Bittle’s charges earned $11,300 with one win followed by Julie Miller ($9,250, one win), Paul Kelley ($7.004 without a win) and George Ducharme ($6,500, one victory). Other dash winning monte trainers not in the top five money winners were Brett Crawford (three wins) and single dash winners Henrik Lundell, Jennifer Sabot, Frank Scamporino, Jr., Robert Bresnahan, Robert Lounsbury, Daryl Bier, Janice Connor, Ashley Eldred and James Doherty, Jr.

Our Canadian monte colleagues are listed below based on wins and all events were exhibitions without purses.

Horses: Harlequin led the 2013 equine monte performers with three wins and a second in four starts. Other single dash winners were I’ll Be There, Katla, Lady Is A Pirate, Sixth Man and Speedy Desperado.

Riders: Riina Rekila posted a category leading four victories in six starts, steering Harlequin and Katla to wins. Evelyn Harms, Maggie Jones, Sharleen MacDonald and Emma Jayne Wilson scored one win each.

Trainers: Geoff Maltby led the way with three wins in eight starts for a UTR of .444. Maggie Jones, Doug McIntosh, Anthony Montini, Riina Rekila and Julie Walker recorded one training win each.

Thanks to all participants/fans, owners, sponsors that provided purse monies and other services, and track operators for making 2013 a successful monte campaign and in heightening interest in racing under saddle in North America. Special thanks to USTA’s David Carr for being the diligent scorekeeper and to racetrack photographers for recording the racing action.