October 23, 2023 
On Saturday, October 21, Mikala Münter and Skyfall took third place in the FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle at TerraNova Dressage II in Myakka, Florida. But their well-earned yellow ribbon is just part of the story.
The day before, after another third place finish in the FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix, Münter said she was proud of her 14-year-old Danish-bred gelding’s progress, especially in his canter work. But her mind was already on her new Freestyle program, which she’d be debuting with Skyfall the following day—and not just on its technical aspects.
“I got him from my dad. It’s a bit of an emotional story with this horse,” said Münter, whose father passed away earlier this year. “I’m riding the Freestyle I made for my dad, because he was a big Frank Sinatra lover.”
The Denmark-born rider who now competes for America, and has been based at her own Bell Tower Farm in Wellington, Florida since 2004. On Saturday at TerraNova, Münter and Skyfall finished on 68.965%, good enough for a podium finish in the class of nine.
Skyfall, who moved up to Grand Prix in 2021, was originally purchased as a 9-year-old “sales” horse off a video.
“When he arrived, I fell in love with him immediately, and decided to keep him,” Münter told Mulberry Tree Dressage. “He’s such a beautiful and gentle soul and I love him dearly.”
Six years on, Münter is glad she followed her heart and is now reimagining the Sinatra Freestyle program she originally created for her former Grand Prix mount, Salsa HIT.
“I rode it on Salsa HIT, but we sold him earlier this year, so now it’s Skyfall’s turn,” she explained. “I changed it a little bit so it would fit him.”
A horse she loves, given to her by her father, and finally capable of competing the Freestyle program she created to honor him? You might say, as she approaches the winter competition season, that Münter has the world on a string. And she’s clearly appreciating every moment.
“I haven’t had [many horses] to show, and so I’m happy to be here,” she said. “I’m happy to be back in the ring.”
