Wellington, FL (April 8, 2011) – Grand Prix Show Jumper Todd Minikus proved during the final two weeks of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival that you can’t keep a good rider down. Despite a shattered collarbone that resulted in surgery at the beginning of the circuit, Minikus was back in the winner’s circle winning the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup and earning the prestigious “Rider Wellness Award” from The Wellington Institute.
Minikus’s amazing comeback had his fellow riders applauding and the Wellington based rider, whose resume includes winning the $100,000 Budweiser American Invitational, was thankful for the camaraderie. “We all travel the same circuits and know each other well. We have respect and admiration for each other when someone comes back from an injury,” Minikus said.
Minikus was pleased to win the “Rider Wellness Award” from The Wellington Institute and said he looks forward to visiting the wellness center. “I had some bad luck this winter with smashing my collarbone and having to have surgery. I tried to get back to riding as soon as I could and I started riding at the five-week mark after surgery,” he said. “I was only able to show the last two weeks of the circuit but I am glad to be back.”
Juan Gonzalez, Director of Marketing for The Wellington Institute, presented Minikus with his “Rider Wellness Award” and congratulated Minikus on making a comeback after his injury. “The Wellington Institute serves the equestrian community and Todd will love learning how we can help him ride and compete without fatigue and have the ability to look and feel like he did when he was in his 20’s,” Gonzalez said. “We focus on prevention and we have been thrilled that so many high performance athletes have come to rely on us.”
The Wellington Institute, a true wellness center dedicated solely to wellness, weight loss, and anti-aging medicine, was founded by Dr. Jennine Cabanellas, who is fondly called the “Queen of Anti-Aging” by riders everywhere. Dr. Cabanellas has developed a following in the equestrian community, from hunters to jumpers to dressage riders such as six-time Olympian Robert Dover who said he feels like he is 20 years old again thanks to Dr. Cabanellas.
“We are very pleased to be supporting the equestrian community by offering the Rider Wellness Award,” she said. “Many, many riders have had success with our programs and we really want to be supportive and give back to the equestrian community. Please stop by and visit us, or check out our website, to see all the many opportunities The Wellington Institute has to offer.”
For more information on The Wellington Institute visit their website at www.thewellingtoninstitute.com.
For more information contact:
The Wellington Institute
561-333-3440
www.thewellingtoninstitute.com