Katy, TX – April 3, 2025 – Genevieve Munson describes her multi-year partnership with Contendro Star as “a journey,” but lately, the pair seems to have reached their destination. On Wednesday, April 2, at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, their final destination was the winner’s circle in the $10,000 Summer Hill Farms 1.40m Welcome Stake, and they arrived there with seeming ease.
When Munson, 21, and Contendro Star entered the Main Indoor at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, the jump-off time to beat had been set at 39.138 seconds by Allison Kroff and Irish du Caillou. That time, however, would prove no trouble for Munson and “Nigel,” as they made short work of the Manuel Esparza-designed track, blazing through the timers in 34.765 seconds.
Kroff and Irish du Caillou, owned by TC Sport Horses LLC, held on to second place, and third place with a time of 39.357 seconds went to Diego Bedoya and NRG Farm LLC’s Condialuba PS.
“For us to continue and finish the way we did was really encouraging for me and our progress,” said Munson of her finish with the 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding that she has been partnered with for roughly five years. “I was just elated with him and how calm he was. He gets nervous. He’s hard to keep relaxed. Getting him to understand that you did a good job isn’t always easy because he’s so unnerved. For him to walk out of the ring the same horse that I entered the ring with was huge. Especially after two rounds where he was rideable and with me and understanding what we’re here to do. When that horse helps me out, it’s huge because he’s starting to understand the job. Like, ‘Oh, we’re here to win! This is fun.’”
Munson added, “At 17 years old now, he’s still learning how to win. He has been an amazing horse for me in my career, helping me get miles at bigger heights. Now, as some of my other horses are retiring, he’s taking that front spot and starting to be the one in the spotlight. Sometimes we flourish under it, sometimes we don’t.”
One of the recent keys to Munson’s success with the gelding has been seeking outside help from another frequent Pin Oak competitor, Natalee Hagan.
“That’s the first place I went after the class today was to go thank Nat and tell her that the things that she’s asked me to work on we’ve been implementing, and we’re starting to see the results,” said Munson. “I’m very thankful to her, not only for sharing her time and experience with me, but just for being here.”
Munson and Contendro Star’s next target is Thursday’s $25,000 Frio Vodka Grand Prix, the first of two grand prix classes offered during Pin Oak Week 2. The three-week horse show continues through Sunday, April 13, with a full schedule available to view here. To view complete results from Wednesday’s $10,000 Summer Hill Farms 1.40m Welcome Stake, click here.
About the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show
Recognized as a US Equestrian Heritage Competition, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is one of the oldest and most prestigious horse shows in the United States. Today, the show features three weeks of top-caliber hunter/jumper events and one week of breed show competition at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX.
