Todd Minikus and Carlo. Photo courtesy of JRPR.
Each year, the warm ocean air of winter in Wellington brings the already-dominant Team Minikus to life. While the Pan American Games veteran and his team never seem to have a slow month, there’s always a certain extra pep to their Florida rides that makes Todd one of the most formidable riders on the continent. And having a world-class string of horses doesn’t seem to hurt, either.
Todd finished out a wildly successful 2017 with a GP win on Quality Girl and numerous top placings at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in October. That was followed by a strong finale at the ESP Holiday Series at their home base in Wellington, where Todd and Carlo started to really hit their winter stride.
The bay warmblood gelding owned by Erin Haas of North Face Farm jumped phenomenally in December to take the $25,000 ProElite Grand Prix at the ESP series, and then came in a brutally close second in the Dover Grand Prix during week III.
Todd and Carlo kept the momentum going into the new year, winning the $25k Hollow Creek 1.5m jumpers at WEF during week one.
That same week, Todd claimed the $6000 1.40m class and claimed runner-up in the uber-competitive WEF Challenge Cup — both aboard a brand new ride named Victorio 5. The Hanoverian stallion of Plain Bay Sales sprung from the gate ready to win, despite their first win coming in a massive class and only Todd’s second time in the irons. They missed winning the Challenge Cup by mere fractions.
“I rode him once at the farm and then showed him in the 1.4,” said Todd. “We won that class, and then I showed him in the $35,000 WEF Challenge Cup and had the lead there until we got nipped at the end and got reserve. So yeah, it’s a lot of fun and sure a pleasure to ride for professionals.”
Naturally, Todd’s schedule is also jam-packed with hunters (like the impressive hunter sensation Exceptional), hunter derbies, training, coaching, and all varieties of catch-riding. Team Minikus has also been busy shooting a documentary with sponsor Purina Mills about Todd’s life and legacy in the sport, and is set to debut later in the year.
It’s just the beginning of what’s sure to be a wonderful year for Team Minikus, and we look forward to sharing all of it with you here on JN.
Go Todd, and Go Jumping!
Todd Minikus relies heavily on good technology to keep his horses strong and sound, and believes in the necessity of assisting circulation in his horses. As such, he’s an advisory board member to Draper Therapies, which sells numerous products with the FDA-approved Celliant material, shown to increase circulation in the contact zone. See their full product line by clicking below.