Todd Minikus will compete Two Swans Farm’s Babalou 41 in the Hampton Classic (Photo courtesy of JRPR
Bridgehampton, NY (August 26, 2016) — International show jumper Todd Minikus has been selected to compete in the inaugural Jump for Charity initiative at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, New York, on August 28 – September 4, 2016. After a summer of successful rides at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, North Carolina and HITS Saugerties Series in Saugerties, New York, Minikus is looking forward to passing on the good fortune by jumping for a charitable cause at the Hampton Classic.
The Jump for Charity initiative, presented by NoelleFloyd.com, will pair 10 riders with 10 charities with the goal of raising $30,000 in cash through sales of commemorative team memorabilia. The charity paired with the highest placing rider at the Hampton Classic Horse Show’s $75,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier presented by Longines will receive 100% of the profits raised. Minikus will be proudly representing the New York Junior League, an organization of women that is committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The organization is based in New York City.
Last year the New York Junior League’s Done in a Day committee served 13,707 children and adults with 1,225 volunteer hours in New York City. With 50+ committees, the NYJL serves more than 143,000 total clients every year (photo courtesy of New York Junior League)
“We are excited to have Todd Minikus representing the New York Junior League in the Hampton Classic Jump for Charity. Given Todd’s experience and winning track record, we know we’re in good hands!” said Suzanne Manning, President of the New York Junior League. “The Hampton Classic has been an important supporter of the NYJL in raising crucial funds to support the more than 20 different community organizations that we partner with, including schools, neighborhood centers, family shelters, senior residences, transitional housing, and hospitals. The Jump for Charity initiative continues a great partnership between our two organizations.”
Minikus, who was on the short list of riders that went to Europe in the spring to vie for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, returned stateside for the summer and has been winning at all levels with his string of competitive horses. “I am taking three horses to the Hampton Classic this year. It is a great venue and I am looking forward to the opportunity to compete for a cause and hopefully winning my charity some money,” said Minikus.
While remaining competitive in the FEI level classes by winning the $250,000 Tryon Estates Grand Prix CSI-4* at the Tryon International Equestrian Center and the $75,000 UlcerGuard Grad Prix at HITS, Minikus has also been successful with a string of up-and-coming young horses in the 6 & 7-Year-Old 1.25m classes. Minikus, who has turned many green horses into Grand Prix super stars, has been undeniably successful with his young stars at Tryon this summer. Two Swans Farm’s youngsters— I Am Nala, Sidarta, Kreator, and Mahara del Juncal— have all had top placings in the young horse classes. Melissa Bilodeau’s impressive young stallion, Lord Calador, has continued his success from the Winter Equestrian Festival by winning several of the 6-Year-Old classes at Tryon, while Minikus’ home bred, Spring Girl, is hot on Lord Calador’s heels with top placings of her own in the same division.
After the Hampton Classic comes to a close, Minikus has a full competition schedule through the fall. If you are interested in seeing Minikus in action, you can catch him at the Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix held at HITS Saugerties on September 11, the American Gold Cup held at Old Salem Farm in New York from September 14-18, the Central Park Horse Show held in New York City on September 21-25, and the Longines Masters in Los Angeles, California on September 29 – October 2.
When not competing nationally and internationally, Todd Minikus offers sales and training services just minutes from the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) show grounds in Wellington, Florida. You can follow Team Minikus on Facebook and Instagram, or visit www.ToddMinikusShowJumping.com.
