By Heather R. Walker, edited by USEF Staff

Gladstone, NJ - Taking a year off from competing doesn't work for everyone, but it paid off for Scott Monroe of Sharon, CT, who drove his way to his first national championship at the 2005 USEF National Combined Driving Singles Championship, part of the CAI-B Gladstone Driving Event, September 22-25.

Driving his 11-year-old Morgan gelding, Bethesda After Dark (Shadow), Monroe bested a field of 12 single horses with a smooth dressage test; a precise, blistering trip through the eight obstacles on the marathon course and a double-clean round in cones. The last to take to the course on Sunday, Monroe almost lost all when he started to pass the 13th set of cones. Realizing his mistake, he turned his horse in a tight right half-circle, then turned left, and coasted through. Shadow's ground-covering stride provided the speed to finish the remainder of the course within the time allowed.

Reserve champion was Sterling Graburn of Vernon, FL, driving Alexander Hewitt's gray Belgian Warmblood, Quincy.

Monroe purchased Bethesda After Dark as a three-year-old, and he is only his second horse. "I told a friend what I was looking for in a horse, and he said, 'That horse is for sale in Massachusetts,'" said Monroe. Once Monroe saw the horse, the decision was made. "Neither one of us knew much," continued the modest Monroe. "Friends said if he didn't kill me, he'd make a good horse."

He sought the help of Margaret Beeman, a riding instructor who was recommended to him, and the three have been working together ever since. Beeman is a vital part of the team, riding with Monroe in competition as his groom/navigator.

Moving into the advanced ranks in 2001, Monroe just missed a spot on the American singles team in 2002, but drove at the World Championship in Sweden in 2004, turning in the best total score of the American team and finishing in 12th place individually.

"My wife says he's me and I'm him," said Monroe, referring to his horse. Just then, his groom passed with Shadow. "Hey, buddy," he called, "I'm talking about you!"

For more information, please contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager, on (859) 225-6974 or via e-mail at slane@usef.org . USEF press releases can be found on our website, www.usef.org .