Vita Flex Victory Team Rider Todd Minikus Sprints to the Win in the $86,000 Marshall and Sterling CSI 2* Grand Prix
Wellington, Florida (January 27, 2016)– Vita Flex Victory Team rider Todd Minikus had to wait until the end of the $86,000 Marshall and Sterling CSI2* Grand Prix to jump two fast and clear rounds. The feature event, the first of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival Saturday Night Light Grand Prix Series held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, had a total of 45 entries of top riders from around the world. Minikus and his successful mount Quality Girl, owned by the Quality Group, made quick and easy work of the first round, ranking as the 12th and final horse and rider combination to qualify for the jump off.
Quality Girl, a 12-year-old Oldenburg mare (Quidams Rubin x Dobrock), has been ridden by Minikus for the past four years. The pair has enjoyed much success, including winning the 2014 Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS in Saugerties, New York. Quality Girl was also named Horse of the Year in 2013 by the United States Hunter and Jumper Association. She is known to be a mare that has exceptional jumping ability and speed to match, so Minikus knew that all he had to do was set her up to win and she would do the rest. “When I went to the first jump she kind of took a hold of the bit and dragged me down there and it felt great,” said Minikus with a smile. “Tonight, I really just rode her so that she could win.”
Minikus, who sustained an unfortunate groin injury during training in the fall, was forced to give himself and his string of world-class horses a few months off. While the time off was hard for the dedicated athlete, he thinks it was probably the best thing for his horses. Minikus mused, “I may have come back a little too soon according to my wife and my doctors, but the horses feel better than ever. Hopefully it will all stay together for the rest of the circuit.”
The Vita Flex Victory Team rider has big plans for 2016, most especially trying to accumulate enough wins to qualify for the United States Olympic Team that is headed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the summer Olympics. Minikus credits a well-planned training program complemented by conscientious nutrition and performance supplements from Vita Flex with helping achieve such success in show jumping. Minikus explained, “To be able to feel that power and speed and athleticism from my horses is very special. Vita Flex helps me keep my horses in tip-top condition for competing, and makes sure that we stay in the winner’s circle.”
Vita Flex representative Katie Stevenson was on hand to see Minikus’ win, and was thrilled to see the results of Vita Flex products at work. “I am so fortunate to be present to see Todd and Quality Girl win the first Grand Prix of the Winter Equestrian Festival! Vita Flex is proud to sponsor such an impressive competitor who is committed to the health of his horses, and we hope this is just the beginning of an incredible season for Team Minikus.”
Vita Flex, with advanced supplements specifically created for equine athletes, will be with Minikus and his horses as he campaigns for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team headed to Brazil this summer. Vita Flex® products include health supplements, antioxidants, electrolytes, joint supplements, performance supplements, topical ointments, vitamins, and minerals. For more information about Vita Flex, its products, and the Vita Flex Victory Team members, visit www.vitaflex.com or call (800) 848-2359.
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Photo: Todd Minikus and Quality Girl win the $86,000 Marshall and Sterling CSI2* Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida (Photo courtesy of JRPR
