Todd Minikus and Amex Z. Photo Shawn McMillen
Thirty years after his first Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) grand prix win, Todd Minikus (USA) raced to an historic third victory in the $214,000 WIHS President’s Cup Grand Prix CSI4* presented by MARS Equestrian™ riding Amex Z on Saturday, October 24, during the 2020 WIHS at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC).
Minikus first won the President’s Cup in 1990 aboard Thrilling, that he owned with Michele M. Masso, and then took the title again in 2009 riding Alaska owned by Callie Seaman. His third victory puts him among a talented few who have their name listed on the prestigious trophy more than twice, including Rodney Jenkins, Beezie Madden, and McLain Ward.
“The Washington International [Horse Show] has been so important to my career,” said Minikus, who hails from Loxahatchee, FL. “The first time I won it, it put me on the map and it has always meant so much to me. This year has been obviously a little bit of a different situation with everything going on in the world as well as show jumping. We were shut down for quite a while and Tryon was one of the first facilities to open up and they did a fabulous job of taking on the WIHS President’s Cup.
“Sometimes you kind of feel like, ‘Here we go, another class,’ but when they mention the President’s Cup – because it has such a history and is such a prestigious event in American show jumping – it is just as meaningful as it was 30 years ago,” continued Minikus.
The list of 50 competitors on the original order read like a who’s who of international show jumping with 15 advancing to the Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) designed jump-off. The short course was a race to the finish, but none could top Minikus and his 11-year-old Zangersheide mare owned by Bit by Bit Group.
“When I was in the schooling area and I saw Karl Cook’s horse, who was just unbelievable last week, and Beat Mändli, who the week before rode one of the fanciest jump-offs I’ve ever seen in my life, and Lillie Keenan’s fast chestnut, I thought, ‘Wow this is a crazy jump-off.’”
Stopping the timers in 36.52 seconds, Minikus bested Cook, who rode Caillou 24, a 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Corrado 1) owned by Signe Ostby, to second place in 36.82 seconds.
“The only place I could really let Caillou’s strength – his stride – come up was from [fence] two to three,” said Cook of his debut in the WIHS President’s Cup Grand Prix. “I just tried to do the best that I could in the turns, and I think Todd got me at the second to last [fence], where I had to add. Second’s pretty darn good. I’m happy with that.”
Of his winning ride, Minikus said, “Amex has really come on strong this year. I got to go a little late in the order, but I heard them announcing ‘a little bit faster, a new leader, a new leader.’ When you start hearing that, you know they are turning up the heat. I got lucky that I nailed the first jump in perfect stride, and the second fence came up perfect. I took a chance to the second to last and chased the seven strides to the last jump. Sometimes it works out!”
For his victory, Minikus was presented with The President of the United States Perpetual Cup, donated by Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961.
Todd Minikus and Amex Z are presented as winners of the $214,000 WIHS President's Cup Grand Prix CSI4* presented by MARS Equestrian™ by Charlotte Rossetter, MARS Equestrian Family Ambassador, WIHS President Victoria Lowell, and Anne Poulson, WIHS Chairman.
Photo Shawn McMillen
“That was world-class show jumping at its best,” continued Minikus. “It was truly the best show jumping in the world. I’d like to thank MARS Equestrian™ and their sponsorship for supporting out sport and I sure hope they continue – that was really fun out there today.”
Third place in the President’s Cup Grand Prix ended in a tie between 2017 WIHS President’s Cup winner Beat Mändli (SUI) riding the Grant Road Partners owned Galan S, and Lillie Keenan (USA) aboard Chansonette Farm, LLC’s Fasther. They both stopped clock at exactly 37.39 seconds.
“Galan S is the sweetest horse I have ever sat on,” said Mändli, of the 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Indoctro x Calypso d'Herbiers). “He is like a little kid, and he tries to please you in everything that he does. He is a fantastic horse. It’s my first time here in Tryon and it worked out very well.”
In addition to her podium finish, Keenan also took home the Leading Lady Award presented by Fab Finds by Sarah and the U25 International Rider Award sponsored by Katherine Kaneb and Family.
“Fasther is probably the most talented horse I have ever had the pleasure to ride, and I’m extra lucky because he’s mine,” said Keenan, of her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Farmer). “When I got him, I knew he had all the talent in the world, but the rideability was a bit of a struggle. We worked a lot on the flat and I know that as long as I do my job well, he will pull it out of the bag. I am over the moon to be here and to be sitting with this group of riders, and thrilled to be leading lady. I think any event that supports women in sport is admirable, and I am really privileged to be here. Hopefully, I can help prove that women are just as good, if not better than men, in our sport.”
Rounding out the top five, Canada’s Mario Deslauriers broke the timers in 37.30 seconds riding Amsterdam 27, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Catoki x Acord II), for owner Wishing Well Farm, LLC.
$214,000 WIHS President’s Cup Grand Prix presented by MARS Equestrian™
1 AMEX Z: 2009 Zangersheide Mare by Andiamo Z x Landaris TODD MINIKUS (USA), Bit By Bit Group: 0/0/36.52
2 CAILLOU 24: 2007 Holsteiner gelding by Casall x Corrado 1 KARL COOK (USA), Helen Signe Ostby: 0/0/36.82
3 GALAN S: 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Indoctro x Calypso d'Herbiers BEAT MANDLI (SUI), Grant Road Partners LLC: 0/0/37.39
3 FASTHER: 2010 KWPN gelding by Vigo d’Arsouilles x Farmer LILLIE KEENAN (USA), Chansonette Farm LLC: 0/0/37.39
5 AMSTERDAM 27: 2010 Holsteiner gelding by Catoki x Acord II MARIO DESLAURIERS (CAN), Wishing Well Farm LLC: 0/0/37.70
6 ANTIDOTE DE MARS: 2010 Selle Français stallion by Diamant de Semilly x Jarnac BLISS HEERS (USA), Bridgeside Farms, LLC: 0/0/38.37
7 EXPLOSION W: 2009 KWPN gelding by Chacco Blue x Baloubet du Rouet BEN MAHER (GBR), Charlotte Rossetter & Pamela Wright: 0/0/38.39
8 GEMMA W: 2011 KWPN mare by Luidam x Unaniem DANIEL BLUMAN (ISR), Blue Star Investments: 0/0/38.83
9 VDL CARTELLO: 2007 Holsteiner stallion by Carani x Lord LORCAN GALLAGHER (IRL), Heathman Farm, LLC: 0/0/38.92
10 EDDIE BLUE: 2009 KWPN gelding by VDL Zirocco Blue x Marlon DEVIN RYAN (USA), LL Show Jumpers LLC: 0/0/39.91
11 CORNWALL BH: 2008 Holsteiner stallion by Con Air x Cambridge AMANDA DERBYSHIRE (GBR), Gochman Sport Horses: 0/0/46.92
12 GARANT: 2011 KWPN gelding by Warrant x C’est La Vie ELIZABETH MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/4/38.91