The United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) recently announced its team members for the 2006 World Singles Driving Championship set for September 20-24 in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy. In exciting news for Morgan enthusiasts and American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) members, two of the three drivers chosen are AMHA members set to compete with Morgan horses.

Scott Monroe of Sharon, CT, driving his 13-year-old Morgan gelding, Bethesda After Dark (Shadow), and Fred Merriam of Newfane, VT, driving Gaitwood Lightwing, a 12-year-old Morgan gelding, have both been selected to the U.S. Singles Driving Team after a strong year of competing on regional and national levels. Both men are members of AMHA and are well-known in the singles driving circuit. Rounding out the three-person team is Eleanor Gallagher of Southern Pines, NC, and her 14-year-old Gelderlander.

Both Merriam and Monroe have become good friends over the years, and they look forward to being two-thirds of a very competitive team at next month's international event in Italy. “I’m really pleased that Shadow and I have been selected,” said Monroe, who at the 2004 World Singles Driving Championship was the top U.S. competitor with a 12th place overall finish. Monroe, 54, added that he is most proud of Shadow’s continued soundness, both physically and mentally. “I was lucky to find such a great horse. He’s got what I call real grit. He’s confident, powerful and bold,” said Monroe, who began his driving career at age 40.

Monroe—who competes without a major sponsor—will be paying his own way to reach the international event. The American Morgan Horse Institute, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization, is accepting tax-deductible contributions on Monroe’s behalf, to offset the extreme expenses incurred by competing with the Morgans in an international competition. Anyone wishing to contribute financially to Monroe's expenses can send checks directly to him, payable to American Morgan Horse Institute(AMHI)/2006 World Singles Driving Championship.

Scott Monroe’s address is 76 Jackson Rd., Sharon, CT 06069-2138. Anyone with questions concerning the tax-deductible donation can contact the AMHI office at [email protected] or call (802) 985-8477.

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