Mikala Münter Bids Farewell to Top Hats at Last International Horse Show of 2020 Bids Farewell to Top Hats
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© 2020 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com
WELLINGTON, Florida, Dec. 13, 2020–Mikala Münter, a Denmark team rider, gave a farewell salute of her top hat at the Global Dressage Fall Festival Sunday, the last rider in traditional dressage head wear before the official ban on Jan. 1, 2021.
Mikala rode in the top hat on two horses in the Intermediate II. Dressage-news.com reported earlier that Danish team mate Lars Petersen was last as he was scheduled to compete in the Grand Prix Special that was later but did not do so after competing in a top hat in the Grand Prix.
Mikala raised took off the hat on completing her ride, unusual in that the action also was not allowed for female riders until it was changed to be the same for both sexes.
Mikala, like Lars, is an American citizen who has chosen to ride under the Stars and Stripes instead of Denmark. She was on Danish teams on My Lady at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy and the 2015 European Championships as well as at the 2014 and 2015 World Cup Final.
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) General Assembly confirmed the ban on top hats in favor of protective helmets.
However, many prominent riders want to retain the right to compete in the traditional top hats at premier events and championships.
