Monica and Bella at World’s Greatest Horsewoman Photo Credit: Kristen Schurr Photography
Dr. Monica Teichert started riding horses around the age of 14 while working at a race horse facility. She then transitioned to working for cow horse and cutting trainer Sam Glaser until she went to college. Glaser and her significant other, Don, taught Teichert how to start and ride colts. She then worked for Dave Glaser, who was also a cutting and cow horse trainer.
Teichert now lives with her husband in Torrington, WY. She obtained a doctorate degree and practices as a family nurse practitioner. She is also a professor at Eastern Wyoming College.
She rides a mare named Bella, inherited from her late-fiancé, Ryan, who she tragically lost almost 17 years ago. He was working for trainer Jon Roeser when he died one day after the 2005 Snaffle Bit Futurity. They had been together for five years and both shared a love of training horses and ranching.
The mare was just a few months old when he died but she was special to Ryan. Teichert decided to start her knowing Ryan would not approve of anyone else.
“It was so healing for me to be back in the saddle but more so on that particular horse, as she holds such a large piece of him.”
She and Bella have won buckles team roping. They go branding and drag calves, and have won ranch horse competitions. Teichert has also ridden her in the NFR grand entry.
She competed on Bella at the World’s Greatest Horsewoman in January, which was a poignant achievement given the hurdles they overcame.
“It was one of the most special experiences as I was able to honor Ryan but also our whole journey to get to this level of competition.”
“My goals for the future include continuing to improve and compete…I believe in being a…horseman first, so I strive everyday to be better [while] advancing my showmanship.”
Why Monica Uses RCHTO:
“There are not a lot of cow horse trainers where I live, so I use [RCHTO] to get live Gps on things I feel weak in and to keep my mind going forward. I think it’s easy to get stuck in our own live program and watching the [videos] help me keep thinking of new things or ways to keep my horse crisp and advancing. I like to get all of our horses broke like a cow horse, as I am a firm believer that if they are broke, you can do anything on them.”