"She was really something tonight," Munsey said of her horse. "She is so game. She is so bright, and heat wasn't a factor because she is in such good shape.
"And she just loves this show."
This was Munsey's first time competing at the Mercer County show, but April Hi-Lite has won here before. Last year, she won the United Professional Horsemen's Association walk-trot 10-and-under class at the fair with her trainer, Lance Williams, in the saddle.
And Munsey gave a lot of the credit for Thursday's win to Williams and Melinda Moore at Arrowhead Farms in Harrodsburg, where April Hi-Lite lives and trains.
"She is new to me, and Lance got her ready," Munsey said. "She's lucky to be at Arrowhead Farms. We send our babies up to Melinda, and Lance works them and Melinda works them for us."
Williams knew how special this horse could be.
"She had a good ride tonight," said Williams, who added, "This horse is 8, and she's been showing since she was 3. So she knows when to go and when to slow down and relax."
But it takes just a couple of missteps to go from being a winner to not even placing, Williams said.
"They have to have a great cantor and trot and a right lean or left lean," he said.
Williams said being familiar with how a horse rides does help when it comes to getting it ready. But, he added, trainers also have to consider the rider's specifications.
"You have to get the right headgear and the bridle and everything. And you have to make sure that when they are out there, they look like they enjoy what they're doing," he said. "But you also have to know how the rider rides. You have to change the bridle and shoes to suit a particular rider, and make sure they are good and strong and have finesse.
"And (the horse) did a great job tonight. She had a great ride and you couldn't ask for a better rider."
In her day job, Munsey is busy with foals and horses ready to give birth at Silverstone, so actually getting a chance to ride is a welcomed break.
"We have babies around us all the time, so these horses are kind of a treat," Munsey said. "I really did just get lucky to get her. It couldn't be any better."
