Tag Archives: Todd Minikus

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Todd Minikus and Amex Z Win $37k Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m CSI4*

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Todd Minikus with Amex Z. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 28, 2021 – Another action-packed day at the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) took place on Friday, January 28, during the NetJets-sponsored WEF 3. The International Arena took no time to get into the swing of things as an impressive 62 combinations showed up for the day’s main event, the $37,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m CSI4*, and no one was able to best Todd Minikus (USA) and Amex Z, owned by Bit by Bit Group.

The class was the only four-star event on Friday and drew a significant number of exhibitors to contest Peter Grant’s (CAN) one-round speed track. The time allowed was set at a comfortable 88 seconds which meant there was almost no difficulty with navigating through the final fence underneath the cutoff. Of the starting number, 29 horse-and-rider pairings managed to successfully answer all questions on the course while 19 duos suffered just one unfortunate rail. When Minikus entered with his long-time talented mount, Amex Z, it was clear the pair were not riding for second place.

“I was a little frustrated with how I rode yesterday,” Minikus admitted. “My mare tried to go super nice for me, and I rode a bit under par, so I was definitely riding to make up for it today.”

Rylie True Tops EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal

The Equine Tack & Nutritionals Ring had 35 entries on Friday for the USHJA EMO Insurance 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal.

Rylie True, of Bedminster, NJ, rode to the win aboard Utrillo Du Soleil after a test on the flat that saw the top 12 riders called back.

“We planned for a big, nice, bold pace since I noticed that working out well for riders in the previous class,” said True.

She executed her plan for Utrillo Du Soleil, a 14-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Reese Merna, and ultimately found that they were well suited for the test.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Todd Minikus and Amex Z Max Out to Win $37k Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2*

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Todd Minikus and Amex Z ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 1, 2021 – Todd Minikus (USA) piloted Amex Z to a first place finish in Thursday’s $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2*, stopping the jump-off timers at 34.283 seconds. Taking home second place with a jump-off time of 35.674 seconds was Kevin Mealiff (IRL) aboard Oakmont Stables LLC’s Tupac Van De Vrombautshoeve Z, the 2010 Zangersheide gelding (Thunder VD Zuuthoeve x Karioka Del Follee). Jacqueline Ruyle (USA) was awarded third place honors aboard her own San Chano, a 2009 Oldenburg gelding (Sandro Boy x Chacco Blue), with a time of 36.055.

Forty-one riders tackled the first round of Andy Christiansen’s (ECU) course design, 11 of which moved on to the shortened second round. Only five riders managed to ride double-clear rounds, but Todd Minikus and the 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris) owned by Bit by Bit Group took the win. Minikus’ plan going into the second round was “not to go too fast,” initially, but after watching a few horses go, he changed his mind. “The riders before me were faster than I thought they might be. So I thought, ‘Maybe I can do one or two fewer [strides] in that turn over to the black,’ and that’s probably where I nipped the competition,” he admitted.

Amex Z and Minikus have had successful rounds at TIEC throughout the Spring Series. Minikus noted his win on this mare has been one in the making, saying, “She’s been going great lately! She’s kind of more of an experienced horse now, so she’s relatively reliable at this point.” The pair will also compete in the $73,000 Cleghorn Golf & Sports Club Grand Prix CSI 2*, where they hope to continue the momentum of this win into Saturday’s competition.

Minikus will continue to compete at TIEC for the month of July and will return for the Fall Series of competition. He looks forward to the rest of the week, because “it’s always a beautiful day in Tryon!”

Samuel Parot Jr. and Buga Z Bolt to Blue in $10,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 2*

Samuel Parot Jr. (CHI) sprinted around the course in Wednesday’s $10,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 2* to take the win on Buga Z with a jump-off time of 23.715 seconds. Conor Swail (IRL) and Diazella, the 2008 Holsteiner mare (Diamant De Semilly x Candillo) owned by Anya Bereznicki, stopped the timers at 23.973 seconds and earned a second place ribbon. Rebecca Conway (USA) rode Con Coleur, a 2009 Hanoverian gelding (Contendro I x Couleur Rubin) owned by Blue Hill Farm LLC, to third place, finishing the jump-off course with a clear round and a time of 24.699 seconds.

The course, designed by Andy Christiansen (ECU), saw 30 competitors in the first round, with 16 riders completing a clear round to qualify for the jump-off. Parot Jr. and his own 2010 Zangersheide gelding (Chester Z x Quality Touch Z) bested the competition and won the jump-off by a 0.2 second margin. “My horse is naturally pretty quick,” Parot Jr. explained. “I was trying to go for it a little bit today, and it paid off!”

Parot Jr. and team will remain in Tryon for the next few weeks, competing and enjoying the venue. “We come to Tryon a couple times a year to show here, so we feel at home and are happy to be here,” he revealed. Parot Jr. will return to the Tryon Stadium with Buga Z for the Grand Prix on Saturday and hopes to have similar success. “So far, [we’ve had] a good start!”

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

Show Jumping

Minikus and Michan Open WEF 2 with Wins in $6k Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Jumpers

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Todd Minikus and Napoleon of Picobello. © Sportfot.

January 20, 2021 – Wellington, FL – Todd Minikus (USA) and Alberto Michan (ISR) bested a field of 105 entries in the $6,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Jumpers as the second week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) got underway at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Todd Minikus and Amex Z Slice Their Way to $37k Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2* Win

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Todd Minikus and Amex Z ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 10, 2020 – Todd Minikus (USA) and Amex Z had a moment of disagreement on course and still dominated the jump-off in a time of 37.767 seconds to claim a $37,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 2* win at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) to kick off Tryon Summer 5 competition. Just behind on a time of 37.875 seconds, Sydney Shulman (ISR) and Azilis Du Mesnil, Jill Shulman’s 2009 Selle Francais mare (Tinka’s Boy x Jarnac), took second place, with Lillie Keenan (USA) and Fasther, the Chansonette Farm LLC entry and 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Farmer), stopping the timers at 38.277 seconds for third.

Minikus and the 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris) owned by the Bit By Bit Group stuttered a bit on their way to the second jump-off obstacle, he explained: “It was a fast jump-off. I kind of got stuck in the corner from fence one to two, and almost circled, actually, and finally she came around, and I continued on to the fence. I thought for sure I wasn’t going to be fast enough, but it was good enough.”

David Blake and Don’t Touch Du Bois Untouchable in $10,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 2*

July 9, 2020 – David Blake (IRL) and Don’t Touch Du Bois, a 2009 Belgian Sport Horse mare (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Indoctro) owned by Pine Hollow Farm, dominated the speed phase in 26.893 seconds to take the win in Wednesday’s $10,000 Power & Speed Stake. Rowan Willis (AUS) and Wellington Grandorie, a 2011 British Warmblood mare (Balloon x Grandira) owned by himself and Lady Mornington, claimed second with a speed phase time of 27.419 seconds, while Daniel Geitner (USA) and Vesta De Lavardin, the 2009 Selle Francis mare (Diamant De Semilly x Gentleman Platiere) owned by November Hill, rounded out the podium on a time of 28.404 seconds.

Highlight classes are available for free live streaming at www.Tryon.com/streaming.

To learn more, visit www.Tryon.com.

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon

Todd Minikus and Calvalou Capture $25,000 Sunday Classic Win

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Todd Minikus and Calvalou ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 5, 2020 – Tryon Summer 4 concluded with a win for Todd Minikus (Lake Worth, FL) and Calvalou, stopping the jump-off timers in 34.762 seconds to best the field at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Almighty, the 2008 Hanoverian gelding (Caspar x Quidam De Revel) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC, combined to produce a 35.398 second jump-off round for second place, while the podium was completed by Ginger Pop, the 2009 Irish Sport Horse mare (Luidam x Cruising), with Alison Robitaile (Upperville, VA) in the irons for Bertram and Diana Firestone clearing the short course in a time of 35.592 seconds.

Minikus and the 2007 Oldenburg gelding (Calvaro F.C. x Baloubet du Rouet) owned by Todd Minikus, LTD were able to turn and burn across the Oscar Soberon (Dallas, TX) course design to take the win, Minikus explained. “He’s had some nice successes and jumped big classes [in the last year that we’ve had him]. He hasn’t always been able to turn so well in the jump-offs, but lately he’s been turning better, and today he turned fantastically. I couldn’t be happier!”

Marion Gefaell and Home Run Bound Slide into $10,000 USHJA Pony Derby Win

July 4, 2020 – Marion Gefaell (Winston-Salem, NC) and her own Home Run Bound covered all bases to win the $10,000 USHJA Pony Derby at TIEC with a final score of 158. Just one point shy of first-place honors, Riley McKesson (Wellington, FL) and her own High Tops landed second place with 157 points, while J. J. Torano (Wellington, FL) and Somekindawonderful, owned by Augusta Iwasaki, took third with a total of 154.5.

David O’Brien and Maldonado SCF Win $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 3*

July 3, 2020 – David O’Brien (IRL) and Maldonado SCF, a 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Diktator van de Boslandhoeve x Landino) owned by Spy Coast Farm, LLC, won the Tryon Summer 4 $6,000 Speed Stake CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers at 63.82 seconds. Katherine Strauss (USA) and Famous, a 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Aerobic TN x Kojak) owned by Katherine Strauss, LLC, took second place on a clear jump-off performance of 65.25 seconds, while Aaron Vale (USA) and Elusive, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Rodrigoo x Capfucino), owned by Thinks Like A Horse, claimed third-place honors on time of 65.66 seconds.

To learn more, visit www.Tryon.com.

Show Jumping, Tryon

Rowan Willis and Diablo VII Win $75,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix under the Lights

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Rowan Willis and Diablo VII ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – June 21, 2020 – Rowan Willis (Ocala, FL) and Diablo VII sped through the jump-off in a time of 34.045 seconds to take the win in Saturday evening’s $75,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix – the venue’s first night class of 2020 and first evening contest on the recently fully-engineered Tryon Stadium footing. Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Risen, a 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Utopie x Indoctro) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Inc., claimed second place after their 35.185 second jump-off round, while third went to Amanda Derbyshire (Wellington, FL) aboard Cornwall BH, a 2008 Holsteiner stallion (Con Air x Cambridge) self-owned with Gochman Sport Horse LLC, combining efforts to put in a clear jump-off round in 40.484 seconds.

Twenty horse-and-rider pairs tested the Michel Vaillancourt (Aiken, SC) designed course, with seven combinations returning for the jump-off in front of nearly empty stands while horse shows are still closed to the public. Willis and the 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Douglas x Cavalier) owned by himself and Lucinda Huddy managed to shave seconds off the leading time with a few speedy riders behind them in the order of go, ultimately holding onto the lead, he explained.

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Divine Fortune Earn $25,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake Win

Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Divine Fortune were the fastest pair of the day in Thursday’s $25,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake in Tryon Stadium, stopping the short-course timers in 27.668 seconds for the win. Todd Minikus (Lake Worth, FL) took both second and third place aboard Todd Minikus LTD entries, riding Juju VDM, a 2009 Belgian Warmblood mare (Toulon x For Pleasure), to a time of 28.934 seconds and piloting Calvalou, the 2007 Oldenburg gelding (Calvaro F.C. x Baloubet du Rouet), to a clear round in a time of 29.897 seconds for third.

Todd Minikus and Amex Z Collect $25,000 Wednesday Classic Win

Todd Minikus (Lake Worth, FL) and Amex Z, the Bit By Bit Groups’ 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris), stopped the jump-off timers in 27.027 seconds to take the win in Wednesday’s $25,000 Wednesday Classic. David Blake (Wellington, FL) and Don’t Touch Du Bois, a 2009 Belgian Sport Horse mare (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Indoctro) owned by Pine Hollow Farm, put in a 28.907-second round to claim second, while third went to Gavin Harley (Wellington, FL) and Very Chic du Tillard, a 2009 Selle Francais gelding (Diamant De Semilly x Quidam De Revel) owned by E2 Showjumpers, stopping the timers at 30.666 seconds.

Santiago Lambre and Doloris Finesse $25,000 Sunday Classic

Santiago Lambre (Wellington, FL) and Doloris, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood mare (Harley VDL x Colorado D) owned by Aurora Rangel De Alba, claimed the $25,000 Sunday Classic win in a time of 30.103 seconds, while second place went to Wellington’s David Blake aboard Don’t Touch Du Bois, Pine Hollow Farm’s 2009 Belgian Sport Horse mare (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Indoctro), on a time of 30.814 seconds. Third was awarded to Zoubair Bennani (Ocala, FL) and Vishnou Un Prince, Leah Garlan’s 2009 Selle Francais gelding (Banboula Du Thot x Galoubet A), stopping the jump-off timers in 31.504 seconds.

To learn more, visit www.Tryon.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon

Todd Minikus & Amex Z Secure Back-to-Back Victories at Tryon Summer 1

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Todd Minikus and Amex Z ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – June 14, 2020 – Todd Minikus (Lake Worth, FL) and Amex Z secured a double victory during Tryon Summer 1 at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), winning both the $75,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix and the $25,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake. In Saturday’s Tryon Resort Grand Prix, Minikus and Amex Z stopped the jump-off timers at 35.096 seconds. Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili, a 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Darco) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, took second place on a clear jump-off performance of 35.243 seconds, while Shane Sweetnam (Lexington, KY) and his own Indra Van De Oude Heihoef, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood mare (Casantos x Action-Breaker), claimed third-place honors in 36.262 seconds.

The first grand prix of the Tryon Summer Series welcomed 22 horse-and-rider pairs to the Tryon Stadium course designed by Skip Bailey (Loxahatchee, FL) with ten pairs returning for the jump-off.

Minikus praised the growth of Amex Z, a 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris) owned by Bit By Bit Group, saying, “I think she [Amex Z] has really matured. She’s been a little bit inconsistent, but she started to go really well at the end of the winter circuit. With a couple months of being off at home and training the old-fashioned way, she really grew up.”

David O’Brien and La Belle SCF Dominate $25,000 Sunday Classic

David O’Brien (Lexington, KY) and La Belle SCF separated themselves from the rest of the field in the $25,000 Sunday Classic hosted in Tryon Stadium, stopping the second-round timers in 33.17 seconds to grab an almost four-second lead. Aaron Vale (Williston, FL) and Chaccman, the 2006 Warmblood gelding (Chacco Blue x Panadena) owned by Thinks Like a Horse, finished on a time of 37.009 to claim second, while third and fourth place honors went to Ashley Fleishhacker (Wayzata MN), who rode Durango VDL to a time of 38.916 seconds for third aboard the 2008 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Zirocco Blue VDL x Narona) and also earned a time of 39.543 seconds riding Auckland de l’Enclos, a 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Nagano x Peggyschnitt van Het Stal Hof), both owned by Ashland Show Stables LLC.

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run’s Divine Fortune Kick Off Tryon Summer Series with $25,000 Wednesday Classic Win

Kristen VanderVeen (Wellington, FL) and Bull Run’s Divine Fortune stopped the jump-off timers in 28.08 seconds Wednesday in the International Stadium to claim the $25,000 Wednesday Classic at the start of Tryon Summer 1 competition with the Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC-owned 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Padinus x Amhilavsca Fortuna). Hayley Waters (Sparr, FL) and Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Waters’ Uppie de Lis, a 2001 Dutch Riding Horse (Andiamo Z x Lorraine). stopped the timers at 28.375 seconds to take second, while Todd Minikus and Amex Z earned third on a time of 28.928 seconds.

To learn more, visit www.Tryon.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Todd Minikus and Calvalou Prevail under Pressure in $36k Sunday Classic CSI 2* at TIEC

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Todd Minikus and Calvalou ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 2, 2019 – Todd Minikus and Calvalou dominated the $36,000 Sunday Classic CSI 2* at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the jump-off timers at 35.465 seconds. Aaron Vale (USA) and Eye Catcher, a 2009 Dutch Sport Horse gelding (Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve x Narcos II SF) owned by Troy Glaus, took second place on a clear jump-off performance of 38.112 seconds, while David O’Brien (IRL) and Kir Royal SCF, a 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Amaretto D’Arco x Nabab de Reve) owned by Spy Coast Farm, LLC, claimed third-place honors on an eight-fault effort in 36.169 seconds.

The Guilherme Jorge (BRA) designed course did not fail to test the riders, with only three pairs out of the field of 20 qualifying for the short-course track. Minikus and his own 2007 Oldenburg gelding (Calvaro F.C. x Baloubet du Rouet) laid down a careful and efficient round that put them well ahead for the win.

Minikus explained that heading into the three-man jump-off was stressful following his performances in Saturday night’s $72,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2*: “I was a little frustrated heading into today. I didn’t do much differently [this morning] other than just ride better and not make silly mistakes. There were only three clear, so it was a hard enough course.”

Minikus, a familiar face at TIEC, will be based at the venue for the remainder of the summer and also plans to compete in the fall series, he shared, and aims to carry his positive momentum into next week’s CSI 3* competition. “We will be back for the 3* Grand Prix next week!” Minikus concluded.

For full results from the $36,000 Sunday Classic CSI 2*, click here.

For more information and results, please visit www.Tryon.com.

JRPR, Show Jumping, Tryon

Todd Minikus Charges into June on Amex Z with Multiple Wins in Tryon

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Minikus at the $72,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake (photo: JRPR)

Mill Spring, NC (June 7, 2019) — Todd Minikus keeps charging ahead on the feisty Amex Z, and it seems there are no limits to their success at the beautiful Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina.  During Tryon Spring Week 4, Minikus rode to a faultless performance on the 10-year-old Zangersheid mare, Amex Z (Andiamo Z x Landaris) owned by Bit by Bit Group, and won the $36,000 Power and Speed Stake CSI 3* with a time of 28.43 seconds.  Following this up in Week 5, the duo charged ahead again and took home the blue in the $36,000 Sunday Classic 1.45m winning with a jump-off time of 33.065 seconds.  Then, just when you think they’ve reached their limit, the duo claimed the $72,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 4* with 36.242 seconds on the jump-off clock.

Minikus says he couldn’t be happier about the circuits in Tryon. “Our whole team is having a great time,” he smiles, “and I’m especially happy with Amex Z.”

Contact: Amanda Minikus
minikus2220@gmail.com
www.ToddMinikusShowJumping.com
(561) 762-3762

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Todd Minikus Tops the $36,000 1.45m Sunday Classic CSI 3* with Amex Z at Tryon

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Todd Minikus and Amex Z ©Monica Stevenson Photography.

Mill Spring, NC – June 5, 2019 – Todd Minikus (USA) rode to the top of Sunday’s $36,000 1.45m Sunday Classic CSI 3* in tandem with Amex Z, finishing with a jump-off time of 33.065 seconds at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) to wrap up Tryon Spring 5 competition at the venue. David Blake (IRL) stopped the timers in 34.882 seconds to secure second place with Don’t Touch Du Bois, a 2009 Belgian Sport Horse mare (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Indoctro) owned by Pine Hollow Farm. David O’Brien (IRL) took third place aboard La Belle SCF, a 2011 Belgian Warmblood mare (Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve x Baldini) owned by Spy Coast Farm, LLC, with a time of 35.102 seconds.

With 16 competitors in the first round and seven pairs in the jump-off on the course set by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN), Minikus and Amex Z, a 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris) owned by Bit By Bit Group, were the last duo in the jump-off and secured the win.

“The first round was a nice course,” Minikus remarked. “There were parts of it [the first round] that were difficult, but there ended up being seven clean, and they were all top riders and horses. I was fortunate to have two of the seven.”

“With my first horse [Calvalou], I lost my power steering going to the vertical and kind of ran into the standard and had to circle and start over. And the other [Amex Z], I thought I could do one less stride from one to two. I thought it was faster to go around the vertical instead of inside and that made for a tighter turn back. I noticed in the dirt my footsteps were way inside of everybody else’s. At that point, I knew I was ahead if I could just leave the jumps up.

“I got lucky at the last jump. It got a little desperate, but she gave a good effort, so I am very happy with Amex Z today,” Minikus concluded.

For full results from the $36,000 1.45m Sunday Classic, click here.

For more information and results, please visit www.Tryon.com.