Tag Archives: Todd Minikus

Todd Minikus Takes Top Honors at Tryon Spring 4

Todd Minikus and Amex Z ©Bailey Beck Photography.

Mill Spring, NC (May 31, 2019) — The 2019 Tryon Spring 4 proved to be a lucky week for Todd Minikus when he took home 7 first place blue ribbons on three different horses at the beautiful Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, North Carolina.  Riding to a faultless performance on 10-year-old Zangersheid mare, Amex Z (Andiamo Z x Landaris), owned by Bit by Bit Group, Minikus dominated the $36,000 Power and Speed Stake CSI 3* with a time of 28.43 seconds.  During the same week, riding JuJu VDM Minikus also won the $1,000 1.35m Open Jumper II2B with a time of 73.438 seconds, plus the $1,000 1.40m Open Jumper II2.1 coming in at 61.439 seconds, as well as the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumper Stake II2B with a 62.7 second ride.  Switching over to the Hunters division, Minikus pulled off another hat trick, this time aboard Omazing, taking first place in three classes of Baby Green Hunter 2’6.

Minikus says that he and his team were thrilled to be back at Tryon. “The whole team loves coming to Tryon… even the horses!” he smiles. “I was very happy with everyone’s performances this week.”

Two-time bronze medal winning US Pan-Am team rider, Todd Minikus, is called The Show Jumping Maverick for a reason.  His decorated record of over 150 national and international Grand Prix wins continues to grow by leaps and bounds.  Best known for his Saugerties, Million Grand Prix win at HITS in 2013, and also for his Pan Am team success, Minikus has consistently jumped his way into the winner’s circle year after year, and 2019 is proving to be another year to remember.

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

Kristen Vanderveen and Faustino de Tili Win $36k Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili. ©TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – May 23, 2019 – Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili returned to Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) competition with a landmark win in Thursday’s $36,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*, stopping the short-course timers in 38.71 seconds to claim their 30th FEI win together. Sarah Scheiring (USA) and S & L Cocodrille, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Emerald Van’t Ruytershof x Kashmir Van Schuttershof) owned by S & L Farms, stopped the clock in 39.735 seconds to claim second, while Hunter Holloway (USA) rounded out the all-female podium aboard Silver Creek’s Validation, a 2007 Zweibrücker stallion (Vallado x Lansing) owned by Silver Creek Farms, with a 40.373-second jump-off performance.

Twenty-four pairs tested the first round set by Catsy Cruz (MEX), with seven entries returning for the jump-off. Vanderveen was already winning aboard Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili when she closed out the class aboard Bull Run’s Prince of Peace and placed sixth on a time of 40.423 seconds and one rail down.

“I thought the course was great,” said Vanderveen. “It was very fair and open, but at the same time the course caught everybody a little bit, which is great. She did a great job.”

Vanderveen and “Frosty,” the 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Darco) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, have seen great success at Tryon throughout their career together, and the venue suits her horse so well that she made a change in plans and saved him to compete this week, Vanderveen commented.

“It’s nice to be back with Frosty. I was actually in Kentucky last week with him and I could just tell – I thought, ‘Nope, we are going to save him for all three weeks in Tryon, because he loves it there.’ This is his thing,” Vanderveen continued. “He has had a little vacation for the last week or two, and has been saving his energy, so it’s nice that it paid off today.”

The result was another Tryon win and their 30th FEI win together, Vanderveen detailed. “It was kind of a special win because it was his 30th FEI win since I’ve had him. We’ve been keeping an eye on it and trying to get to 30. My first 5* Grand Prix win was here, too.”

Vanderveen will save Bull Run’s Prince of Peace for Sunday’s $36,000 1.45m Jumper Classic CSI 3*, and plans to compete Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili in Saturday’s $72,000 CaptiveOne Advisors Grand Prix CSI 3*. She revealed that she will be spending the next few weeks at TIEC to prepare for an upcoming trip to Europe:

“We will be here through the 4* competition and then we are doing something a little different this year. Showing here is also a lot of prep for that. What better can you do to prep than come here? I was originally going to leave Frosty stateside, and just recently decided to bring him along [to Europe]. He has proven today that he wants to come!”

Todd Minikus and Amex Z Fly to Win $36,000 1.45m Power and Speed Stake CSI 3*

Todd Minikus (USA) and Amex Z Flew to Win Wednesday’s $36,000 Power and Speed Stake CSI 3*, clearing the short course in 28.43 seconds ahead of David Blake (IRL) aboard Emilia, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood mare (Ukato x Goodwill) owned by Pine Hollow Farm, who stopped the timers at 29.084 seconds for the red rosette. Santiago Lambre and Dingeman, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Nintender x Darnels) owned by Aurora Rangel de Alba, rounded out the podium after their 29.419-second jump-off effort.

Minikus and the 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris) owned by Bit By Bit Group “maybe did one or two less strides back to the combinations” to gain the advantage over the field, he explained. “The course rode nicely, and it was a nice opening class for all the horses, but it was very competitive by the time we got to the speed phase. The riders in the class are extremely competitive.”

Team Minikus has just arrived in at TIEC, and he noted that he’s encouraged to see such a positive start to his Tryon campaign after a less-successful tour than hoped in Kentucky this spring. “It’s nice to start off here with a little better success than what we were having in Kentucky earlier since I didn’t have that good of a tour. She will show this week, and I’m planning for her to be in the Grand Prix on Saturday as well,” Minikus concluded.

Geoffrey Hesslink Champions the Green Hunter 3’3″ Division aboard Coronation

Geoffrey Hesslink of Shelburne, VT rode Lindsay Maxwell’s mount Coronation to top honors in the Green Hunter 3’3″ Division, with reserve honors named to Sara Ketcham (Columbus, NC), riding Splendid Moon for Claire de Lune Farm.

Hesslink has been paired with the 2011 Warmblood gelding (Conthargos x Balouville) since late winter, but the combination has already proven successful, he relayed.

“We call him Conor, and he’s great. He’s done three shows, and has been champion at two, and reserve at the other. The lowest score he’s had is 85. He’s been amazing and has made very few mistakes,” Hesslink said. “He is such a dream to have!”

Hesslink and “Conor” will be competing again next week at TIEC, and will return to compete in the Summer Series at TIEC.

“I really like the Grand Hunter Ring [Ring 4] here. It’s really big, so it’s nice that you can get on a gallop and keep one pace. Today the lines rode really nicely,” Hesslink continued of the course set by Joe Carnicom (Toledo, OH).

Hesslink concluded, “It’s a top facility, and it’s nice that they can have classes on the grass or in the George Morris Arena, too. I think it’s a really great place to bring young horses along and get a lot of experience and exposure to environment.”

Click here for full results from the $36,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*.

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

Samuel Parot and Atlantis Dash to Top of $35,000 The Fit Equestrian Spring II Grand Prix

Samuel Parot and Atlantis. Photo Credit ©AnneGittinsPhotography.

Wellington, FL – April 17, 2019 – Samuel Parot of Wellington, FL and his longtime partner Atlantis finished atop the leaderboard in the $35,000 The Fit Equestrian Spring II Grand Prix at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) after completing their jump-off round in 35.42 seconds, two full seconds ahead of second place finisher Erynn Ballard of Tottenham, Ontario and her mount Judge Hof Ter Zeedycke, owned by Skymaster, LLC, who stopped the timers in 37.808 seconds. Paul O’Shea of Wellington, FL and Skara Glen’s Chancelloress, owned by Skara Glen Stables, captured third place with a jump-off time of 41.592 seconds.

The class saw a total of 27 entries contest the course designed by Ana Catalina Harris Cruz (MEX) in the International Arena, while only nine combinations qualified for the jump-off round. Paul O’Shea piloted both of his mounts to a double clear effort on the day, while three combinations added four faults to their jump-off round.

Samuel Parot and Atlantis have picked up numerous national and international victories around the world and are considered to be one of the faster combinations when entered together. Parot, who competes internationally for Chile, has been a mainstay on the circuit in Wellington, FL for the past few years.

“The course was very nice. It rode well and was good for us,” said Parot. “The jump-off was fast and there were some times that I thought I could go faster, which helped us secure the win.”

Parot travels internationally during the season, but calls Wellington, FL home during the winter circuit and has enjoyed a successful season. He elaborated, “My horses have gone well here and I think that the post season classes are good for my horses. Atlantis is very fast, so I wanted to try and go for the win in the jump-off.”

Todd Minikus and Amex Z Claim Top Honors in $25,000 Wellington Agricultural Services Grand Prix

The $25,000 Wellington Agricultural Services Grand Prix saw Todd Minikus of Lake Worth, FL ride to victory aboard Amex Z, owned by Bit By Bit Group, after the pair toured the short course in 34.484 seconds. Margie Engle and mount USA Normande, owned by Paillot Equestrian & Gladewinds Farm, Inc., finished just two-hundredths of a second behind Minikus, stopping the timers in 34.492 seconds. Fabio Leivas da Costa and Randon Pleasure, owned by Bonne Chance Farm LLC, secured third place with a final jump-off time of 36.025 seconds.

The class featured 43 entries and a small, quick jump-off with only five pairs qualifying for the second round. Each of the five combinations in the jump-off completed the track with no additional faults. Minikus also finished in eighth place with Calvalou on a single time fault.

For full results from the $35,000 The Fit Equestrian Spring II Grand Prix, click here.

For full results from the $25,000 Wellington Agricultural Services Spring Grand Prix, click here.

For more information on PBIEC, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Minikus & Wylde Win at The Ridge Week 2

Todd Minikus & Lord Calador. Photo: Equinium Sports Marketing/The Ridge at Wellington.

Wellington, FL (January 14, 2019) – It was a gentleman’s weekend at The Ridge where Todd Minikus and Peter Wylde topped Friday and Saturday’s headline classes: the $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix and $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Both of week two’s leading gentlemen and the victorious horses’ owners took advantage of The Ridge’s spectacular venues, exceptional hospitality, and all natural jumping surfaces.

Set on the gorgeous turf field of Mida Farms, a group of 30 horse and rider pairs tested the Grand Prix course, including Olympian Laura Kraut, a number of Under 25 Grand Prix riders, and ambitious adult amateurs. Todd Minikus and Melissa M. Bilodeau’s Lord Calador set a blazingly fast jump-off time of 36.265, which despite being only the second ride of the class couldn’t be beat; the time was, however, hotly contested, with the second, third, and fourth double clears being less than a second off Minikus’ jump-off. Alexanne Thibault and Chacco Prime, Carolina Villanueva Suarez and Una Du Keske Z, and Diego Vivero and Isaura make up the top 4.

“Lord Calador is named after my first horse, Calador, and he is really just a wonderful stallion,” said owner Melissa Bilodeau. “I imported him as a young horse, and Todd wanted to get him out at this level and we thought the grass would be a great experience for him. We are thrilled to have won, and Todd always brings out the best in his horses.”

The third-place rider, Carolina Villanueva Suarez, is a high school senior who utilized the Turf Tour’s 1.40m class to get her USEF Certificate of Capability, an important asset in qualifying for Junior/Young Rider divisions. Villanueva Suarez and her mare, Una Du Keske Z, rode a very impressive double clear and applied for the certificate with The Ridge’s team after the class. She splits her winter season between high school in Manhattan and plans to one day attend law school.

Saturday featured The Ridge’s first USHJA National and International Hunter Derbies of 2019, held at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Peter Wylde and Michelle Kamine’s Dynamo were dynamite in the $15,000 USHJA International Derby, topping both rounds. “Dynamo jumped spectacularly and it was a really fun class,” said Wylde. “We will definitely be back.”

The Reserve Champion rider in the International Derby was Grace Tuton, who rode her own Lautento. “I’ve had him since he was 6, and he is just the best,” said Tuton. “He was at the top of the Derby in Colorado in the fall, and even though he barely even jumped this week you could tell he was enjoying jumping around today. It’s great to have a nice relaxed show like this to kick off our 2019 Derby season.”

The $5,000 USHJA National Derby was won by Katie Conover aboard Gabrielle Sokolow’s Small Request. The scopey gelding edged out a few high scores in the first round to top the handy and take the class. The Ridge’s second Hunter Derby Days will be held January 26 at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, with the final being held March 9.

For full schedules and prizelists, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Todd Minikus and David Oliynyk Dominate ESP Holiday III

Todd Minikus and I Dottori VD Richter. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 2, 2019) – Excitement is already beginning to build in Wellington, Florida as top equestrians from all over gather together to compete against the best sport horses and riders in the world. This week, while most people were off enjoying a relaxing holiday break, riders Todd Minikus and David Oliynyk were hard at work and jumping their way to winning shows sponsored by Semican.  On Sunday, Minikus claimed the blue ribbon at the $30,000 Semican Grand Prix to conclude 2018 ESP Holiday III competition at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), and David Oliynyk rode to victory at the $5000 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by Semican.

Riding his own 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding, I Dottori VD Richter (Winningmood Van de Arenberg x Heartbreaker), Minikus jumped against 17 competitors to finally clinch the jump off with a time of 45.858 seconds. “I thought it was a pretty nice course for a $30,000 Grand Prix,” Minikus described. “There ended up being 5 horses clear, and I got the luck of the draw and got to go last in the jump-off,” he added.

The excitement continued when Oliynyk dominated the $5000 USHJA National Hunter Derby aboard Laurie Gaudet’s Generous with a score of 179.5 to bring home the blue.  As a company based in Canada, Semican was thrilled to support the Wellington sport horse community by sponsoring these exciting shows.

Contact: Andre Rivard
1-819-357-6484
semican@semican.ca
www.semican.ca

Todd Minikus and I Dottori VD Richter Conquer $30k SemiCan Grand Prix at ESP Holiday III

Todd Minikus and I Dottori VD Richter. Photo Credit ©AnneGittinsPhotography.

Wellington, FL – December 26, 2018 – Todd Minikus (Lake Worth, FL) rode home with blue in the $30,000 SemiCan Grand Prix to conclude 2018 ESP Holiday III competition at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Sunday. Minikus dashed through the jump-off securing a time of 45.858 seconds aboard I Dottori VD Richter, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Winningmood Van De Arenberg x Heartbreaker) owned by Todd Minikus LTD. Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) jumped into second riding RF Casablanca, a 2010 Holsteiner mare (Cosido x Landos) owned by Raylyn Farms, Inc, stopping the timers in 43.313 seconds. Ilan Bluman (Davie, FL) claimed third place with Ferrari, a 2010 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Thunder Van De Zuuthoeve x Damiro) owned by Over the Top Stables, LLC, earning a time of 44.382 seconds.

Jumping against 17 competitors, Minikus prevailed as the victor in the course set by Mauricio Garcia (Archer, FL). “I thought it was a pretty nice course for a $30,000 Grand Prix, and there ended up being 5 horses clear, and I got the luck of the draw and got to go last in the jump-off,” stated Minikus.

“All I had to do was go clear, which sometimes is harder to do than you think,” Minikus elaborated. “[This horse] won last week so he’s doing a good job. He’s a horse that a friend of mine and I bought in Belgium and I let a young lady show him for a while in the junior jumpers then I started riding him myself.

“We’re hoping that somebody needs a nice young rider horse, but until then if he wants to keep winning Grand Prixs with me riding him, then that’s okay too,” Minikus concluded.

For full results from the $30,000 SemiCan Grand Prix, click here.

For more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Quality Girl the Clear Winner

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.

Minikus and Quality Girl Make Away with $70,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2* at Tryon

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 21, 2018 – Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl claimed top honors in the $70,000 Ingles Grand Prix CSI 2*, the highlight competition for Tryon Summer VI at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the short-course timers in 38.541 seconds to top the podium. Brian Moggre (USA) and MTM Vivre Le Reve, a 2009 Westphalian gelding (Ustinov x Chello II) owned by Major Wager, LLC, were awarded reserve honors for their 40.616 second jump-off performance, while Mattias Tromp (USA) and Chicago Hof Eversem Z, a 2008 Zangersheide gelding (Con Spirito R x Papillon Rouge), put in a 42.048 second short-course round to claim third for Swede Ventures LLC.

Twenty-four entries toured the track set by USA’s Oscar Soberon, with seven horse-and-rider pairs accepted back to test the jump-off course. Minikus and the 2003 Oldenburg mare (Quidam’s Rubin x Dobrock) owned by Quality Group & Todd Minikus, LTD were last to challenge the short course and bested the class by more than two seconds.

“It’s not Quality Girl’s first rodeo,” said Minikus of his mount’s longtime experience at the Grand Prix level. “She knows how to come into the ring and go fast. She’s good in every ring and atmosphere, and she jumped fantastic tonight.”

Minikus noted a particular obstacle to which he paid close attention with Quality Girl: “There were a couple jumps [where riders had rails down] throughout the course, like the orange oxer that came down a lot of times. I had it down on my other horse,” he detailed. “But it rode just like it walked.”

Though Minikus admitted that his mount prefers very firm footing, rain from earlier in the evening did not diminish the quality of the footing nor deter Quality Girl from putting in a solid round, even at the end of the jump-off lineup; he explained: “We had a lot of rain [earlier] tonight, so whoever takes care of the footing does a good job. Quality Girl likes the footing very hard.”

While Minikus primarily deals in sales and is looking forward to acquiring and selling new mounts, Quality Girl is a longtime partner for Minikus and he plans to aim her for some high-level classes both at Tryon and elsewhere, he elaborated. “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.

“To tell you the truth, I really like this venue. It’s good for young horses, and the crowd is amazing every Saturday night. It’s great for the family and the kids can run around,” Minikus concluded.

Please visit www.tryon.com or call (828)-863-1000 for more information.

Two More Exceptional Weeks at Tryon for Team Minikus

Todd Minikus’ Exceptional “being exceptional” (Photo courtesy of Team Minikus)

Tryon, NC (July 11, 2018) – Todd Minikus and his team wrapped up two more successful weeks at Tryon, NC with more than a dozen wins in the jumper, hunter, and yes, cross rails divisions!

During the Tryon Summer 3 CSI2*, Todd Minikus once again showed his exceptional versatility for winning on numerous fronts by winning the Green Hunter 3’6 and the Green Hunter 3’6 Handy Hunter Class on Exceptional, owned by Todd Minikus, LTD.  The pair then raised the bar to the 4’ Hunter Performance Division winning first and second over fences and first in the under saddle class and a Division Championship. “Exceptional just keeps doing the job,” said Minikus after winning the $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby the week prior. “Exceptional is, well, exceptional!”

Also during Summer 3, Minikus enjoyed some top finishes in the jumper ring culminating with double wins on Maidenway’s Chaco 34 in the 1.35m Open Jumper and the 1.40m Open Jumper.  Team Minikus super star Victoria Zelch rounded out the week three winnings taking top honors in the NAL Low Junior Classic aboard Sniper.

It should have been a tough act to follow, but not so for Team Minikus.  At the Tryon Summer 4 CSI3*, Exceptional delivered a repeat performance winning the 3’6 Green Hunter and the 3’6 Green Handy Hunter.  Then Todd rode three horses to wins in their respective 1.40m Open Jumper classes. The triple threat included Minikus’ own Juju VDM, Erin Rorabaugh’s Julesraimus De Barisy, and Melissa Bilodeau’s handsome stallion, Lord Calador.

But the biggest celebration of the show was for Team Minikus’ littlest rider, Todd and Amanda Minikus’ 7-year-old daughter Langley. Despite a rain out on day one, Langley Minikus took to arena on day two riding Reagan Thoennes’ pony Love Bug and showed her jumper linage by winning both Cross Rail classes.

It made the winning weekend just a little bit more special. “We love showing at Tryon,” said Amanda Minikus. “It’s beautiful here, the facility is awesome, the horses love it, we love it, and my kids love it.”

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*. 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.

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl Return in Winning Form at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Photo: Todd Minikus and Quality Girl.

Lexington, Ky. – May 9, 2018 – The first day of competition at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show kicked off in exciting fashion at the Kentucky Horse Park where the Rolex Stadium highlighted the $35,000 Welcome Speed 1.45m CSI3* with 27 entries contesting Alan Wade’s (IRL) 15-effort track resulting in 11 clear rounds. Racing to an impressive and unbeatable clear round, Todd Minikus (USA) and the Quality Group’s Quality Girl claimed the lead by over three seconds with a time of 65.24 seconds to earn the victory.

With an extensive list of accolades to her name including the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix in Saugerties in 2014, the Elm Rock Farm Trophy at the inaugural Global Champions Tour of Miami Beach in 2015 and a clean sweep with three FEI victories at the Kentucky Spring Classic in 2016, Quality Girl is a proven winner. After nearly a year off, Minikus took his time bringing the 15-year-old Oldenburg mare back to the show ring and it paid off.

Second place was awarded to Samuel Parot (CHI) and his own 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Couscous Van Orti, with a clear round and a time of 68.85 seconds. Hot on Parot’s heels in 69.22 seconds was Kevin Babington (IRL) and his own Mark Q, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.

Scott Stewart Shines with Playbook in the Green Hunter Incentive Program

Earlier in the day, the Green Hunter Incentive Program took place in the Stonelea Ring at the Kentucky Horse Park. Twenty-one horse and rider combinations competed in the 3’6” and 3’9” sections of the Green Hunters for top honors and it was Scott Stewart and Fashion Farm’s Playbook that executed a flawless round at the 3’6” fence height. Second place was claimed by another veteran hunter rider, Kelley Farmer and Exceptional, owned by Todd Minikus. Havens Schatt and Diatendro captured third place in the class.

Stewart is coming off of a successful season at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Fla. with consistent champion titles in the High Performance Hunters and the Green Conformation Hunters. Stewart has also had great success in the Green Incentive Program, having won the championship title three times, most recently in 2017 with Playbook.

The Green Hunter Incentive Program was created by the USHJA in the hopes of increasing participation at the Green level. This year, the program introduced the option for athletes to compete at the 3’6” and 3’9” height in order to attract even more entries. At the end of the year, the top placing horse and rider combinations will be invited to return to the Kentucky Horse Park to compete at the Green Hunter Incentive Championships in August at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, which will include four fence height options upon adding the 3’6″ and 3’9″ to the existing 3′ and 3’3″ fence heights.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com