International show jumper Todd Minikus rounded off an impressive summer season with another win this month at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, N.Y., capturing the $10,000 Shamrock Ventures Open Jumper 1.40m with one of his up-and-coming stars, Vita 24. The spirited bay proved herself a force to be reckoned with, jumping past 40 entries to win the final with a time of 53.788 seconds.
A recent addition to his elite team of horses, Vita 24 is one of three talented mares owned by Two Swans Farm that Minikus competed with at the Aug. 28 – Sept. 4 event. Like Babalou 41 and I Am Nala, the 11-year-old Holsteiner mare appears to be on the fast track to success in the hands of Minikus, who is known for making young and green horses into superstars.
Shortlisted with Babalou 41 to compete in Europe this spring for a place on the U.S. Olympic team, Minikus returned to the U.S. in time for a successful summer with his competitive equine partners at all levels, from youngsters in the 6- and 7-year-old 1.25 classes to his acclaimed Grand Prix champion Quality Girl. The Hampton Classic win comes after a string of recent victories, including winning the $250,000 Tryon Estates Grand Prix CSI4* at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina and the $75,000 UlcerGuard Grand Prix at the HITS Saugerties Series.
Minikus returned to the HITS Saugerties show grounds on Sept. 11 for the Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix CSI5*, which he won in 2014 with Quality Girl. After Saugerties, those interested in tuning in to the action with Minikus and his team of titleholders and future champions can find him at the American Gold Cup held at Old Salem Farm in New York on Sept.14-18, the Central Park Horse Show in New York City on Sept. 21-25, and the Longines Masters in Los Angeles on Sept. 29 – Oct. 2. After that, Minikus and his team will head home to Wellington for the winter.
Todd Minikus Show Stables offers sales and training services just minutes from the Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds.
To learn about the services that Minikus offers, or to follow him as he competes around the globe, check out Todd Minikus on Facebook and Instagram, or visit www.toddminikusshowjumping.com.
ABOVE: Wellington rider Todd Minikus aboard Quality Girl.
