Todd Minikus and Quality Girl. (Photo courtesy of Team Minikus)
Tryon, NC (July 24, 2018) – Todd Minikus tackled the courses at the Tyron International Equestrian Center on five different horses during week six of the summer circuit. However, Minikus’ standout performance on long time partner Quality Girl took top honors in the $70,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI2*. Besting a field of twenty-four other horse and rider combinations, Minikus and Quality Girl took the win by a solid two seconds in the jump off.
“She knows how to come into the ring and go fast. She’s good in every ring and atmosphere, and she jumped fantastic tonight,” said Minikus of the mares’ incredible efforts in the ring. USA’s Oscar Soberon designed the course, and only seven horses bested it to make the jump off round. Minikus has been bringing along a few sale horses and new up and coming mounts at Tryon, while he aims Quality Girl, his longtime partner, at some high-level classes both at Tryon and further north. “There are some big money classes in the fall and hopefully we can grab some of that. I’ll probably target her for the Saugerties $500,000, and she goes well in that ring, so that’s probably where we will focus her next,” Minikus remarked with a knowing twinkle in his eye, probably remembering his Million Grand Prix win aboard Quality Girl at HITS Saugerties in 2013. To top it off, Quality Girl’s groom Cory Singleton, who helps get Todd and Quality Girl in the ring, received the Absorbine Groom’s Award and a check for five hundred dollars.
In addition to Quality Girl’s success in the Grand Prix, Minikus rode Chaco 34, who is owned by Maidensway, to first and second place in the $1390 1.40m Open Jumper and $5390 1.40m Open Jumper Stake. Minikus took home the win in the $1390 1.40m Open Jumper with Julesraimus De Barisy owned by Erin Rorabaugh.
Team Minikus continues to be a family affair after Minikus’ daughter Langley had back to back winning Tryon weekends. This week Todd’s wife, Amanda Minikus, came home with two top five finishes in the Low Amateur division collimating with a win in the $500 Low Amateur 1.20, while student, Zachary Yariv, also enjoyed three top five finished in the Junior Jumper division.
Next stops for Team Minikus after the Tryon Summer circuit is Balmoral Park, Chicago for the end of their HITS summer series, then Saugerties Hits- on-the-Hudson VIII for the FEI CSI5*, followed by the Hampton Classic in late August.
To catch up with FEI Nations Cup veteran and U.S. Pan American Games Team Bronze Medalist Minikus and his team, follow on Facebook and Instagram @Todd_Minikus, visit Team Minikus on Instagram, or visit www.ToddMinikusShowJumping.com.