Todd Minikus rides Quality Girl to victory in the $30,000 ABBA Vet Supply Open Jumper Classic (The Book LLC)
Minikus was one of 12 of entries of the 46 who started to reach the jump-off by riding without penalty over the 16-jump, Richard Jeffery designed course at the North Elba Showgrounds. Late in the jump-off, U.S. Olympic veteran Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, who will be seeking a record eighth Grand Prix win in Lake Placid Saturday in the $100,000 Woodlea Farms Grand Prix, blazed to the lead with a clean ride in 32.192 seconds on Indigo.
Minikus was next to try the 7-jump tiebreaker and he took the lead with a clean ride in 31.824 seconds on Quality Girl. Irish Olympic veteran Kevin Babington was the day's final entry and his clean ride in 32.270 seconds on Mark Q gave him a third place finish behind Minikus and Engle.
"Obviously I had the advantage of going late and I think that made a difference today," said Minikus who won the Woodlea Frams Grand Prix in 2004 and 2011, as well as the Lake Placid Grand Prix in 2007. "We had some real veteran riders at the finish and I'm thrilled to come away with a win."
Other winners on Thursday included David Jennings on Nandy Fontaine in the 1.35m Lake Placid Summit Hotel & Suites Jumper Class; Laura Chapot on Bradberry in the 1.40m CMJ Sporthorse Jumper Speed Stake; and Haley Schaufeld on Ana Sia in the 1.30m Jamaica Tent Jumper Class.
The I Love New York Horse Show continues through Sunday, hosting all levels of competition from young children on ponies to grand prix competitors and Olympic medalists, all competing for over $535,000 in prizes. The horse show begins at 8:00 am each day, with competition running in four rings simultaneously.
Highlighting the week is the $100,000 Woodlea Farms Grand Prix Presented by Sea Shore Stables, LLC on Saturday, July 6. This is the first time the horse show is offering a $100,000 Grand Prix!
On Saturday, the horse show also hosts its annual Doggie Costume Contest sponsored by Animal Planet and the Brown Dog Cafe and Wine Bar. All people with a leashed dog in costume are admitted to the horse show free of charge. All entrants in the contest, which begins at 12:00 noon, receive treats.
Another highlighted competition is the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Eastern Hay & Grain and Purina Animal Nutrition. This event, held in the Richard M. Feldman Grand Prix Field on Sunday, July 7, features jumps that resemble natural obstacles seen in the hunt field with a variety of challenges including stone walls, hedges, logs, banks and ditches.