You’ve probably thought to yourself; what would it be like to move across the globe and start over? Romanticized by most, the realities of an intercontinental move are quite daunting, and they’re now the everyday struggle of South Carolina professional show jumper Kaitlyn Moneer.
“Nervous. Excited. Happy. Scared to move across the world. I don’t know, I felt a huge wave of like every emotion at the same time” said Moneer of her initial reaction to the news that she’d been invited to ride professionally with Team USA’s Laura Kraut in Europe. “I had never moved away from Charleston before, and I’m really close with my family. So I was excited, but I had mixed feelings for sure.”
Along with her Boyfriend, media executive Eric Leopardi, the two will report to the southernmost tip of the Netherlands on August 1st, training at Travers Horse Facility and taking over the former “Hippish Centrum Montfort” which will become the new headquarters of “Stalle Leopardi” and the epicenter of Moneers sport horse development program.
The 25-year-old daughter of a city planner and financial advisor from Goose Creek, South Carolina said the unexpected success has been bittersweet. “I mean, it’s a dream, right? What little girl doesn’t dream of that; but leaving everything you know behind for an unknown period of time…That definitely takes a lot to process when it becomes a real thing.”
Moneers’ family is very close and known for sticking together. The family has called the Charleston-area suburb home since the 1980s, when her aunt Theresa moved to the area from their hometown of Lima, Ohio. Shortly thereafter, Theresas’ sister, and Kaitlyns’ mother Brenda Moneer, relocated to the Goose Creek area with her husband Jerry.
Not to be left behind, Moneers grandparents Gloria and Terry moved to the area next bringing the family back together, where they spend the majority of weekends together. Kaitlyns’ parents are a fairytale in and of themselves. The middle-school sweethearts are the proud parents of two children who both seem to excel in their respective fields, as well as athletics.
Kaitlyn will shatter the family trend, moving to Holland and traveling across Europe for more than ten months each year, stopping at some of the world’s most recognized equestrian venues. Asked about the exhaustive travel schedule, Moneer said, “It’s crazy, right? Who would dream of traveling that much? I definitely can’t wait to see everything Europe has to offer, but I’ll probably be catching up on rest while we’re traveling between shows.”
The US native is slated to compete more than 45 times across Europe in the next twelve months, surely finding a moment to enjoy the view along the way. Along her route are Stockholm, Belgium, Portugal, Barcelona, London, Paris, and a host of other iconic European cities.
Rumors swirling around the barn suggest viewers may get an inside look at Moneer and Leopardi’s journey as the two are said to be filming a reality TV series following their travels across Europe. Stay tuned to Kaitlyn Moneers’ Instagram for updates along the way.
