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