Tag Archives: Todd Minikus

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl Race to Win $86k Marshall & Sterling Grand Prix CSI 2* at WEF

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Todd Minikus and Quality Girl. Photos copyright Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 23, 2016 – The first “Saturday Night Lights” grand prix competition of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival was an exciting one as fans who braved the chilly and blustery weather were treated to a fast jump-off and winning ride from Todd Minikus (USA) on the Quality Group’s Quality Girl. They finished four seconds faster than second place finishers, Samuel Parot (CHI) on Atlantis. Richie Moloney (IRL) placed third with Carrabis Z.

Week two of the Winter Equestrian Festival concludes on Sunday, January 24, at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) and is sponsored by Marshall & Sterling Insurance. Competition for Sunday includes the $25,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Equine Couture/TuffRider, at 8 a.m. and the $35,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Classic, now scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. in the International Arena following the Parade of Champions at 11:30 a.m.

Course designer Catsy Cruz set the track for the grand prix, which had 45 entries and 12 clear through to the jump-off. Emanuel Andrade (VEN) and Nokia de Brekka set the early leading pace with a clear round in 37.14 seconds for fifth place. Moloney and Carrabis Z, owned by Equinimity LLC, brought the winning time down to 36.57 seconds, but would settle for third. Margie Engle (USA) and Indigo, owned by Griese, Garber, Hidden Creek, and Gladewinds, slotted into fourth place with a time of 36.70 seconds. Parot made a bid for the win and had a brief time at the top of the standings when they finished in 36.25 seconds.

As the final competitors in the jump-off, Minikus and Quality Girl galloped to the first fence and never looked back. With incredible rollback turns and a speedy pace, they stopped the timers almost four seconds faster in 32.41 seconds for the win.

“I watched Richie go and I thought, ‘That looks pretty impressive,’ and then Samuel went and I thought, ‘This looks too fast.’ But when I went to the first jump, she took a hold of the bit and dragged me on down there. It felt great,” Minikus said.

It was a gratifying win for Minikus, who had a severe groin injury in September, which put him on the sidelines for months. He has had a successful relationship with Quality Girl, a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare by Quidam’s Rubin x Dobrock.

“I just sat around for months,” Minikus recalled. “Somehow I got myself back in shape and hopefully it will stay together for the rest of the circuit. We have a big summer coming up, and I have big plans. I hope that Babalou and Quality Girl have a good circuit here.”

He continued, “It’s nice that Quality Girl came out with guns a-blazin’, so to speak. She jumped great last week and I screwed the jump-off up and made kind of a crappy turn, but tonight I rode her so she could win.”

Minikus was quick to thank his team and added, “I’d like to thank the owners in Quality Group and all the sponsors – Purina, Charles Owen, VitaFlex – I can’t do it without them. Shannon who takes care of Quality Girl has been doing a great job flatting her while I was hurt, so she gets a lot of credit.”

Parot is coming off a streak of World Cup wins on the West Coast this past fall with Atlantis, a 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Andiamo x Royal Bravour L.

“My horse is very fast and careful,” Parot described. “I had a very good summer with him. I tried (tonight), but Todd is very fast.”

Moloney and Carrabis Z, a 13-year-old Zangersheide stallion by Cannabis Z x Grannusso, also recorded big victories in 2015. They won the CSI 4* grand prix at the Tryon International Equestrian Center and took the top placing at the American Gold Cup CSI 4*-W.

He noted, “I was very happy. My horse had a break for almost three months so it’s nice that he came out like this. It’s the first week back jumping bigger, and he was great.”

Katherine Strauss Tops 64 in $10,000 Artisan Farms U25 Welcome Stake

The Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series got underway on Saturday with a win for Katherine Strauss in the $10,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Welcome Stake. Strauss, 17, and her own All In bested 64 entries in the one-round speed class, stopping the clock in 64.57 seconds.

Sima Morgello and Orientales jumped into second for Double S Farm, LLC in 66.14 seconds. Third was presented to Hayley Barnhill and Zephire in 69.48 seconds for Barnhill, LLC. Lucas Porter and Diamante Darco took fourth in 70.23 seconds for the Sleepy P Ranch, while Tina Di Landri capped the top five aboard Zelote VDL, owned by Highpoint Farm, LLC in 71.13 seconds.

Presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series (AFU25GPS) returns to the Winter Equestrian Festival for its sixth season this year. Throughout the circuit, the series offers a total of $170,000 in prize money while showcasing top young talent in show jumping sport. Open to competitors of all nationalities aged 25 and under, the AFU25GPS is sanctioned by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), giving many riders their first experience competing at the 1.45m level under FEI rules.

Katherine Strauss and All In
Katherine Strauss and All In

Strauss, a regular competitor in the Series at WEF, is currently approaching the end of her junior career with her sights set on grand prix competition.

“This series is such a great way to bridge the gap between the junior jumpers and the grand prix level,” she said. “I am really looking forward to competing in the U25 Series with All In for the rest of the circuit.”

All In has been the ride of Strauss for two years, and she characterizes him as a scopey jumper with a ground-covering stride.

“Today’s course was built to my advantage. He is so fast across the ground and that helped us make up some time in this big ring,” said Strauss.

Strauss admits that she and All In have developed a strong bond while competing in junior jumper and small grand prix classes together.

“He always does everything I ask of him,” she said. “He’s the love of my life.”

Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series competition continues on Sunday with the $25,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Equine Couture/TuffRider.

Nicole Hiehle Pilots Lovely Charity to the Hunt Ltd Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 Championship

The Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 division, which was sponsored by Hunt Ltd, crowned Nicole Hiehle and her own Lovely Charity champion in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Saturday morning. The pair dominated the division this week, winning three out of four over fences classes. John Ingram and his mount Airport 48 also performed consistently. They earned three second-place ribbons over fences on their way to the reserve champion honors.

Hiehle, of Dublin, OH, and Lovely Charity are no strangers to the winner’s circle. The pair has enjoyed ample success during their two years together. In 2014 they clinched the Amateur-Owner Over 35 division championship at The National Horse Show and in 2015 the pair was awarded the prestigious USEF Horse of the Year honors for the same division.

Lovely Charity, a 12-year-old Oldenburg mare by Charity, did not seem fazed by the heavy rains on Friday and the strong winds on Saturday. “The elements were a little bit of a challenge this week,” Hiehle remarked. Yet, “Lovey,” as she is affectionately called, still performed at her best.

“She’s just so consistent and everything I ask her to do, she does it,” Hiehle detailed. “She’s a good mare. She always gives 110%,” she added.

Hiehle was particularly excited to compete in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Saturday. It was the perfect place for “Lovey” to return to competition following a one-month hiatus before the start of WEF. “We love showing in the Grand Hunter ring because you can get a gallop going,” Hiehle explained.

Hiehle plans to continue showing Lovely Charity over the next ten weeks of WEF. “I’m just going to try and enjoy the year,” she added while speaking about her goals for the rest of the show circuit.

Week two of the Winter Equestrian Festival concludes on Sunday featuring the $25,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Equine Couture/TuffRider in the International Arena. Championship honors will be awarded in the Equestrian Sotheby’s Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division. For more information and full results, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Central Park Horse Show, Competitions, Show Jumping

Todd Minikus & Quality Girl Blaze into Second in US Open $40k FEI Speed Class in Central Park

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Todd Minikus and Quality Girl (Photo courtesy of Jack Mancini)

New York, New York (September 25, 2015) – Show jumping competition has begun at the 2nd Annual Rolex Central Park Horse Show in New York City. Last night, on what is normally the Wollman Ice Skating Rink in the middle of Manhattan, 27 elite horse and rider combinations sped around course in the U.S. Open $40,000 FEI Speed class, presented by Canadian Pacific Railways.

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl, owned by the Quality Group, showed that they are both in the New York state of mind this week while on the course produced by internationally acclaimed course designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. “He is one of the better course designers in the world at this point and he did a fantastic job last night and I’m sure he does a fantastic job tonight too,” Minikus said about Jorge.

Minikus and Quality Girl had strong finishes at the Inaugural Central Park Horse Show last year and were excited to return to see, first hand, the improvements that had made to the event. Minikus observed, “They have changed the format this year; the speed class goes first and they have fixed some of the lighting.” He continued, “Last year there were some shadows in the ring and this year they have better light and it seems to be working better for the horses.”

Minikus sensed that the speed class format would be a perfect warm up for Quality Girl going in to the $212,000 CSI 3* Grand Prix class tonight. “She felt fantastic last night,” Minikus said. He continued that his plan tonight was simple: “Just try to win!”

This show is the most recent in a long line of horse shows for Todd and his top string of show jumping horses this summer. Minikus and his team have racked up top finishes at all of the best shows around the world including Spruce Meadows in Canada, Hickstead in the United Kingdom, and Dublin, Ireland, as well as being named the Traveling Reserve to the United States Pan American Show Jumping team.

The Central Park Horse Show is comprised of five days of multi-discipline equestrian competition in the heart of New York’s Central Park. It features classes that include special Arabian horse presentations, Grand Prix Dressage and Show Jumping and Hunters. This year is also the inaugural year for U.S. Open competition, a concept the International Equestrian Group CEO, Mark Bellissimo, is hoping to expand with future events. Bellissimo was quoted at a recent press conference as saying, “We want this to be one of the greatest stops in show jumping. Bringing something to the market like this is very different and I think there is an amazing opportunity for the sport here.”

You can catch Todd and Quality Girl in action via live stream tonight at 8pm in the U.S. Open $212,000 FEI 3* Grand Prix, present by Rolex. Visit www.centralparkhorseshow.com for details. When Todd is not traveling, you can find him and his horses at home in Florida, just minutes away from the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington.

Contact: Amanda Minikus
amandajl16@aol.com
562-762-3762
www.toddminikus.com

Central Park Horse Show, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Stage Is Set for Inaugural U.S. Open Show Jumping Championship at Rolex Central Park Horse Show

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Georgina Bloomberg at the 2014 Rolex Central Park Horse Show. Photo ©Rolex/Kit Houghton.

Canadian Pacific Railway and Rolex sponsor the two-round competition where McLain Ward, Kent Farrington, Georgina Bloomberg, Todd Minikus, and Conor Swail lead the list of top riders vying for the U.S. Open Title

New York, NY – From Olympians to up and coming talent, the Inaugural U.S. Open Show Jumping competition will highlight the Rolex Central Park Horse Show, running Sept. 23-27 in the heart of New York City’s Central Park. Founded in 2014, the second-annual Rolex Central Park Horse Show is dedicated to attracting the best in equestrian sport to compete at a once in a lifetime location.

U.S. Open Jumper events at the 2015 Rolex Central Park Horse Show will welcome the world’s best to contest two rounds of competition over courses set by international designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. The $40,000 FEI Speed Class, presented by Canadian Pacific Railway, kicks off the schedule with an opening speed round on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 8 PM.

Faults from Thursday will be converted to points and carry over to the U.S. Open $212,000 FEI 3* Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, Friday, Sept. 25 at 8:00 PM. Riders will pilot the same horse in both rounds, and the highest ranked rider will not only be crowned the inaugural U.S. Open winner, but receive an exciting bonus. While cashing in on their share of the $212,000 purse, the winning rider will be presented with an additional $25,000 for the U.S. Open honor.

Hometown girl and accomplished international rider Georgina Bloomberg took top call in the 2014 Central Park Grand Prix and will return to her native city to defend her title this year in hopes of being crowned the first U.S. Open Jumper Champion. The world will be able to watch her efforts as the U.S. Open CSI 3* Grand Prix is scheduled to air on NBC Sports Network during prime time from 9-10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 27.

“Winning last year’s Rolex Central Park Grand Prix in front of a New York City crowd was one of the highlights of my career,” said Bloomberg. “New York is my home and to be able to compete in this city is an experience like no other. I am proud to see show jumping return to New York and I can’t wait to showcase the sport that I have dedicated my life to in the heart of Central Park again this year.”

In addition to Bloomberg, the prestige of show jumping in Central Park has attracted a star-studded cast of high-performance riders all vying for the U.S. Open title, including the likes of Kent Farrington, Todd Minikus, Conor Swail and McLain Ward, to name a few.

“New York City’s Central Park is a unique host and presents a change from the typical venue for both us as riders, but also our horses. However, it’s worth the effort to have a show in the center of the city and highlight the sport with many top riders,” said Ward, who most recently took home an individual gold medal for the USA at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.

Show jumping was last seen in New York City’s Central Park in 1981 and at Madison Square Garden in 2001, but the Rolex Central Park Horse Show found a home at Wollman Rink last year. “We all miss what showing at the Garden was, and this is bringing that back in a similar way,” added Ward.

“I was both overwhelmed and encouraged by the positive response from participants, spectators and media outlets to last year’s event in Central Park,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of International Equestrian Group, LLC (IEG). “There is no better place to showcase horse sport through the U.S. Open than in the iconic New York City. I have confidence that the Rolex Central Park Horse Show’s U.S. Open will become one of the premiere events on the show jumping calendar.”

Tickets can now be purchased at http://bit.ly/1AV2imv. To request table information in the Hospitality Tent, please e-mail Anne Caroline Valtin at vip@centralparkhorseshow.com or call 561-784-1133.

Additional information can be found at www.coth.com and www.centralparkhorseshow.com.

Media Contact:
Shin-Jung Hong
Nicholas & Lence Communications
ShinJung@nicholaslence.com
Tel: 212.938.0005

Equestrian Media Contact:
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Lindsay Brock
lindsay@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, FEI, HITS, Show Jumping

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl Clinch Cool $100k in Canadian Pacific $1 Million FEI CSI5*

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Todd Minikus and Quality Girl (Photo courtesy of Sara Cole)

Saugerties, New York (September 9, 2015) – Quality Girl is unequivocally one of the greatest mares in American show jumping today and on Sunday, September 7, Todd Minikus piloted the twelve year old Oldenburg, owned by The Quality Group, against one of the toughest horse-and-rider fields currently in competition in the United States. Todd and Quality Girl were able to clinch a fourth place finish and earn a garner a cool $100,000 in the Canadian Pacific $1 Million FEI CSI5* Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties, New York.

“We’re very pleased,” said Todd and Amanda Minikus of his long time mount and 2014 USHJA Horse of the Year, “In three years she has won this class, taken reserve, and placed fourth in the money – all proof of what a ‘quality girl’ she really is.” The mare, owned by The Quality Group, has only been campaigned lightly over the summer leading up to the prestigious five-star, million dollar class.

“She jumped really well,” said Todd Minikus, a career winner of more than 130 Grand Prix titles and member of 2007 Pan American Games Bronze medal winning US show jumping team. “There was one triple combination where we could have moved up quicker but didn’t, and caught the last rail, but regardless, I’m proud of how she did in such a big class. The course was certainly challenging, but do-able,” Minikus continued about his round.

HITS Saugerties proved ‘do-able’ for Minikus overall, who also collected top ten finishes there with Cordonos for owner Matthew Degrande of Long Valley, New Jersey, and had strong efforts from his newest partner, Paratrooper, an 11-year-old KPWN gelding owned by Lori A. Custer. Paratrooper has impressed Minikus enough over the past few shows that Minikus has decided to take him to compete in the invitation only Grand Prix at New Albany Classic in New Albany, Ohio on September 20th.

Minikus has already shifted from a New York State of mind, to head out west to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where his 2015 summer winning streak began. He plans to ride Two Swan Farm’s star mare, Babalou 41, on the US Nations Cup Team at the Spruce Meadows Masters CSIO5* September 9-13. After New Albany you can catch Minikus at the 2nd annual Central Park Horse Show in New York City before he heads back to the west coast for the third leg of the Longines Master’s in Los Angeles, California.

When not competing nationally and internationally, Todd Minikus offers sales and training services just minutes from Wellington, Florida’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) show grounds. You can also follow Team Minikus on Facebook or click www.toddminikus.com.

Contact: Amanda Minikus
amandajl16@aol.com
562-762-3762
www.toddminikus.com

Competitions, Show Jumping

Minikus Delivers at Hampton Classic and Prepares to Defend Million Dollar Title

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Todd Minikus was third with Two Swan Farm’s Babalou 41 in the $400,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows. (Photo courtesy of Spruce Meadows Media Services)

Bridgehampton, NY (September 2, 2015) – Another successful weekend in the show jumping ring has wrapped up for Todd Minikus, who is currently ranked second in the United States on the Longines $30,000 Rider’s Challenge rankings. Three strong performances on three different horses at the 40th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, New York is the most recent set of accomplishments in an incredibly successful summer for the Florida resident. The Hampton Classic also helped to strengthen Minikus’ position among the elite 50 horse and rider combinations headed for a $330,000 first place prize in the Canadian Pacific $1 Million FEI CSI5* Grand Prix on September 2-6 in HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII in Saugerties, New York.

Minikus began his week at the Hampton Classic on Tuesday, August 25, riding eleven-year-old KWPN gelding Paratrooper – owned by Lori Custer – to a second place finish in a 41-horse field in the $20,000 Royalton Farms Jumper Challenge. Paratrooper, who had two top ten finishes under Minikus the week before at Princeton Show Jumping, is also one of the horses Minikus will have in his jumping arsenal for the HITS VIII competition.

Facing an even larger field of 52 entries the next day, August 26th, in the $10,000 Wollfer Estate 1.4m Open, Minikus rode Matthew Degrande’s Oldenburg gelding Cordonos to a win – besting his runner-up by nearly three seconds in the competitive speed class. The upper level show jumping classes, held on a turf field, featured obstacles not often seen in summer East coast competitions, such as an open water and bank jump. These obstacles served as an early practice round for Minikus as he prepares to represent the United States as part of the Nations Cup team competing at the Spruce Meadows Masters tournament, to be held on September 9-13 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Sunday, August 30, at the Hampton Classic featured Minikus riding Babalou 41, Two Swans Farm’s champion mare. Minikus was the highest-placed American and one of only four clear rounds in the $250,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix presented by Longines jump-off, finishing in 43.890 seconds for second place in the victory gallop behind Karen Polle of Japan on With Wings.

This week, Minikus is planning to show Paratrooper; Plum Creek Hollow Farm’s twelve-year-old Westphalian stallion, Con Capilot; and The Quality Group’s defending $1 Million CSI5* Grand Prix champion, Quality Girl, at the HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII. Minikus, a lifetime career winner of over 130 Grand Prix titles, and Quality Girl, his twelve-year-old Oldenburg partner of three years, will face an extremely talented field of competitors at HITS’ richest FEI show jumping division event of the summer.

When not competing, Todd Minikus offers sales and training services just minutes from Wellington, Florida’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) show grounds. Follow Team Minikus on Facebook or click www.toddminikus.com to ensure you don’t miss a minute of the action with Minikus and his world-class string of show jumpers.

Contact: Amanda Minikus
amandajl16@aol.com
562-762-3762
www.toddminikus.com

JRPR, Show Jumping

Minikus Shows Top Form 3x in $30,000 Grand Prix of Princeton

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Todd Minikus with Cordonos (Photo courtesy of Paws and Rewind LLC)

Skillman, NJ (August 24, 2015) – It takes the highest degree of skill to earn consistently impressive performances from horse after horse, but that’s exactly what Todd Minikus did in the $30,000 Grand Prix of Princeton during the August 19-23 Princeton Show Jumping competition at Hunters Run North in Skillman, New Jersey.

The career winner of more than 75 international Grand Prix titles and 2007 Pan American Games Show Jumping Team Bronze medalist clinched three of the top ten slots in the Grand Prix of Princeton. Minikus finished second on Cordonos, for local owner Matthew Degrande of Long Valley, NJ; third on the 2014 United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Champion Jumper, Quality Girl, for the 2014 USHJA Owner of the Year, The Quality Group; and sixth with rising new talent, 11-year-old KWPN gelding Paratrooper, owned by Lori Custer.

“I only first sat on the horse about a week ago,” Minikus said with a grin after accepting his ribbon on Paratrooper. This Grand Prix marked the duo’s second top ten finish in Princeton after placing eighth in the $10,000 Welcome Stake 1.40m. Minikus was also fifth overall in the Welcome Stake on Cordonos, who he will next compete on in the 2015 Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton, New York, later this week. After that, Minikus will be defending his title with Quality Girl in the Canadian Pacific $1 Million FEI CSI5* Grand Prix.

“I was really pleased with Quality Girl and her performance in Princeton, as she has not shown since Spruce Meadows. I used this as a warm-up leading to the $1 Million in Saugerties, which Quality Girl won last year,” explained Minikus.

With the HITS-Saugerties (NY) September 2-6 series and the Canadian Pacific $1 Million FEI CSI5* Grand Prix just around the corner, strong finishes across the board and across horses suggest Minikus and his mounts are reaching their own million dollar form.

When not competing throughout the U.S. and internationally, Todd Minikus offers sales and training services just minutes from Wellington, Florida’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) show grounds. Follow Team Minikus on Facebook or click www.toddminikus.com to ensure you don’t miss a minute of Minikus or the news that keeps the world jumping.

Contact: Amanda Minikus
amandajl16@aol.com
562-762-3762
www.toddminikus.com

FEI, JRPR, Show Jumping

A Clear Victory for Todd Minikus at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup in Hickstead

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Photo courtesy of Todd Minikus.

Hickstead, Great Britain (July 31, 2015) – Two Swan Farm’s Babalou 41 has sailed over fences with Todd Minikus to prestigious victories in Wellington, Florida; at Spruce Meadows in Alberta, Canada; and on to serve as the Traveling Reserve for the U.S. Pan American Games Jumping Team in Toronto, Canada – all within the past several months. This week, the duo crossed the Atlantic to prove their show jumping talent in Europe. Minikus and Babalou 41 provided the United States jumping team with its only consistently clear performance to earn Team Bronze today in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ at the Longines Royal International Horse Show in Hickstead, Great Britain.

After cheering the United States on from the sidelines at the 2015 Pan American Games, Minikus and the 10-year-old Oldenburg mare Babalou 41 (Balou du Rouet x Silvio I) were eager to jump into competition themselves at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ of Great Britain. Joining the pair to represent the U.S. were Beezie Madden on Cortes ‘C’, Laura Kraut on Nouvelle, and Charlie Jayne on Chill R Z.

Minikus and Madden were the only two U.S. riders to clear the course in round one, putting their team in third place behind Belgium and Switzerland, who tied for first. Of the eight competing teams, three – the United States, Belgium, and Switzerland – finished both rounds with a total of four faults and nominated one rider for the jump-off. Pieter Devos on Dylano helped Belgium to the Gold, while Paul Estermann on Castlefield Eclipse assisted Switzerland to Silver. The United States took Bronze, with Madden selected to ride in the jump-off. Minikus was the only U.S. rider to complete the competition fault-free.

The Wellington, Florida based jumper was proud of his European victory with Babalou 41, who he has competed for the past four years. The pair’s flawless rides came as no surprise – earlier this year, the duo helped the United States to Team Gold in the FEI Nations Cup presented by Kingsland Equestrian at the Winter Equestrian Festival’s CSIO4* in Wellington, Florida.

The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ of Great Britain, presented by Longines, was the sixteenth qualifier of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 season, and the seventh leg of the Europe Division 1 League. A total of ten countries will compete in the Europe Division I throughout the season, and seven teams will qualify for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Final in Barcelona, Spain in September.

Minikus’s European tour is hardly over. He is already preparing to take on the Dublin Horse Show CSIO5*/CSIYH1* in Dublin, Ireland on August 5-9. Team Minikus – including his sponsors Vita Flex, TheraPlate Revolution, Neue Schule, Premier Equestrian, Charles Owen, Draper Therapies, Parlanti, Purina Mills, Veredus, CWD, and Animo – is poised for continued success. To watch Minikus and his impressive equine partners as they take on the jumping world, visit www.toddminikus.com or follow Todd Minikus on Facebook.

Contact: Amanda Minikus
toddminikus@yahoo.com
562-762-3762
www.toddminikus.com

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

US Show Jumping Team Finishes 3rd in Exciting Finish for FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain

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Beezie Madden and Cortes ‘C’ (© Julian Portch Photography 2015)

Hickstead, GBR – The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team put forth a great effort in Friday’s Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain presented by Longines at CSIO5* Hickstead. At the end of the two rounds, the U.S. team, consisting of Laura Kraut, Charlie Jayne, Beezie Madden, and Todd Minikus, was tied with Belgium and Switzerland with a total of four faults, requiring a jump-off. Madden returned to the Hickstead Stadium with Cortes ‘C’, but an unlucky eight-fault round put the U.S. team in third place at the end of an exciting day of competition.

“First off, it was a spectacular Nations Cup, with good weather and great footing at probably one of the most traditional venues there is here at Hickstead. Our team had a really good day today,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “We put ourselves right in the mix, which we always seem to do. We had a very good second round, as we have several times this year. Then jump-offs, of course, are where things are won in the sport. We would have loved it if we won, but we are honored to be in the position we are in and finish.”

The U.S. team began its day at the Longines Royal International Horse Show jumping sixth in the order of eight teams. Pathfinders Kraut and Nouvelle, the Evita Group’s 2004 KWPN mare, had a single rail at fence nine for four faults. Jayne was next with Alex Jayne and Maura Thatcher’s 2003 Zangersheide stallion, Chill R Z, having a rail at fence two and a single time fault for a total of five faults. Minikus and Babalou 41, a 2005 Oldenburg mare owned by Two Swans Farm, laid down the first clear round for the U.S. team. Madden and Cortes ‘C’ followed suite by scoring another clear round, giving the U.S. team a first round total of four faults, putting them in third place.

For the second round, Kraut and Nouvelle improved upon their initial performance to go clear. Jayne and Chill R Z unfortunately had rails at fences nine and 12 for eight faults. Minikus and Babalou 41 and Madden and Cortes ‘C’ went clear to be amongst the nine combinations to have double-clear rounds. Adding nothing to its first-round total of four, the U.S. team was tied with Belgium and Switzerland at the end of the second round, leading to a jump-off to determine the winning team.

Madden and Cortes ‘C’ were chosen for the jump-off and were the first combination to enter the arena. However, a win was not meant to be, as a rail came down at 4A followed by a runout at 4B for eight faults. Belgium claimed top honors as Pieter Devos and Dylano clocked a clear round in a time of 42.60 to finish ahead of Switzerland’s Janika Sprunger and Bonne Chance Cw with their clear round in a time of 44.17.

Complete results from the Longines Royal International Horse Show.

By Kathleen Landwehr

JRPR, Show Jumping

Post-Toronto: Minikus Sets Sights on European Competition

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Photo courtesy of Fredrik Stattin.

Toronto, Canada (July 27, 2015) – It’s been a superb Canadian tour for Todd Minikus, 2007 U.S. Pan American Games Team Bronze Medalist and career winner of more than 75 Grand Prix titles. While at Spruce Meadows this summer, Minikus collected a $34,000 WestJet Cup win in the ‘Canada One’ Tournament FEI series on Plum Creek Hollow Farm’s Con Capilot, second-place on The Quality Group’s Quality Girl in the $85,000 Enbridge Cup, reserve in the $210,000 CP Grand Prix at the Continental CSI 5* on Two Swan Farms’ Babalou 41, and third in the $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup with Babalou. Next, Minikus will travel overseas to compete at the Longines Royal International Horse Show in Hickstead, the United Kingdom, and the Dublin Horse Show in Dublin, Ireland.

Minikus and Babalou 41 prepared for their journey to Europe in Toronto, Canada, where they were poised and ready to serve as Traveling Reserve for what would become the U.S. Bronze medal-winning Show Jumping Team at the 2015 Pan American Games. Spruce Meadows competitions had only sharpened their form, as the 10 year-old Oldenburg mare (Balou de Rouet x Silvio I) breezed through her Pan American vet checks.

The next legs of Minikus’s world tour are quickly approaching: the Longines Royal International Horse Show is July 29 – August 2 at Hickstead, and Ireland’s Dublin Horse Show will follow on August 5-9.

Minikus and his talented string plan to compete for some of the most coveted titles on the UK’s national show jumping circuit. Ahead are the Templant Events Queen Elizabeth II Cup, and Longines King George V Gold Cup – which is Sunday’s finale and one of the oldest and most prestigious classes in the world. Just last November, Minikus (on Quality Girl) was a thrilling second to Pan Am teammate McLain Ward in the $100,000 Hickstead FEI World Cup Grand Prix at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Minikus will head to the Dublin CSIO5*/CSIYH1* having last faced some of Ireland’s top show jumping riders – Darragh Kenny, Shane Sweetnam, Cian O’Connor, and Kevin Babington – in February during the Nations Cup in Wellington, Florida. Minikus’s double clear rounds posted with Babalou 41 served to help clinch a Gold medal win for the U.S. Nations Cup team, ahead of Ireland.

When not competing internationally, Todd Minikus offers sales and training services just minutes from Wellington, Florida’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) show grounds. Follow Team Minikus on Facebook or click www.toddminikus.com to ensure you don’t miss a minute of Minikus or the news that keeps the world jumping.

Contact: Amanda Minikus
toddminikus@yahoo.com
562-762-3762
www.toddminikus.com

Competitions, Pan American Games, Show Jumping

Minikus Commands Canadian Podiums at Spruce Meadows as Pan Am Games Approach

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Todd Minikus was third with Two Swan Farm’s Babalou 41 in the $400,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup on July 4th at Spruce Meadows. (Photo courtesy of Spruce Meadows Media)

Calgary, AB, Canada (July 7, 2015) – 2015 U.S. Pan American Games Show Jumping Team Traveling Reserve Todd Minikus continues to occupy the leader board before the 2015 Games in Toronto, delivering two trips to Spruce Meadows podiums this past week. At Spruce Meadows’ ‘North American’ CSI 5*, Minikus took home reserve in the $85,000 Enbridge Cup 1.50m on July 5th with Quality Group’s Quality Girl, and third with Two Swan Farm’s Babalou 41 in the $400,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

Less than a week before, the 2007 U.S. Pan American Games Team Gold Medalist had the victory lap against a field of 77, riding Plum Creek Hollow Farm’s Con Capilot to first-place in the $34,000 WestJet Cup of the ‘Canada One’ Tournament FEI series at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

In the $85,000 Enbridge Cup, Minikus and twelve-year-old Oldenburg (Quidams Ruben x Dobrock) mare Quality Girl kept the heat on fellow American rider and two-time Olympic Gold medalist, McClain Ward, on HH Carlos Z, staying within less than a second of Ward’s 40.50-second winning effort and delivering the second-fastest (41.26 seconds) clean ride over Santiago Verala’s 1.50m course.

Minikus also faced two-time U.S. Olympic Gold medalist and three-time Queen’s Cup champion Beezie Madden on July 4 in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Minikus finished third on ten-year-old Oldenburg mare Babalou 41, after Madden retired Cortes C and ceded to the 39.52-second effort by Ward and HH Azur in the jump-off.

Minikus was thrilled with Babalou 41 and her performance, saying “I have been riding her since she came to the states as an extremely green five/six-year-old in the schooling jumpers and on, so it is very rewarding for me to get to this stage with her. I am very proud of her and very thankful to Two Swans Farm for their support.”

The Florida-based rider, with over 75 grand prix titles, has been amply successful in acclimating his Pan American Games Traveling Reserve partner, Babalou 41, to Canadian show soil leading up to Toronto. Earlier in June at Spruce Meadows, the pair were second in the $210,000 CP Grand Prix during the ‘Continental’ CSI 5* Tournament, and fourth in the $34,000 Duncan Ross Cup. The pair had a spectacular start to their season in March at Wellington, Florida, with double clears to anchor a U.S. squad to victory in the $100,000 Nations Cup and first-place in the $150,000 Winter Equestrian Festival 8 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix.

When not proving his and his horses’ talent in the show ring, Todd Minikus offers sales and training services just minutes from Wellington, Florida’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) show grounds. Follow Team Minikus on Facebook or click www.toddminikus.com to ensure you don’t miss a minute of Minikus or the news that keeps the world jumping.

Contact: Amanda Minikus
toddminikus@yahoo.com
562-762-3762
www.toddminikus.com