For Immediate Release

Wellington, FL – April 10, 2018 – It was a first place finish for Todd Minikus of Lake Worth, FL and the Quality Group’s own Quality Girl last week during ESP Spring I at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. Minikus and the 2003 Oldenburg mare bested a field of 27 horse and rider starts and were the ultimate victors in the $35,000 ProElite® Grand Prix on Sunday, April 8.

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl

The class was the mare’s return from some time off over the winter season and Minikus intends to bring the mare back slowly before going full speed into the summer. “I didn’t think there was much sense in bringing her back just to show her in the last two weeks of WEF,” commented Minikus. “I thought I’d wait until post-circuit to bring her back. It’s nice money in these classes, so it was all good! We’ll let her get rolling again in these classes and then I expect some big stuff this summer.”

Kevin Babington and Double O Seven 7

“She really went for it in the jump-off,” said Minikus. “I don’t want to sound pretentious, but there was nobody that was going to catch her. It was just one of those jump-offs where everything came up fast or I could move up to it. I never had to fix anything. It wouldn’t have made a difference who was there showing – Kent, McLain, whoever thinks they’re fast! It was one of those jump-offs where sometimes it works just right, and sometimes it doesn’t. This was one of those just right jump-offs. She was awesome!”

Pablo Barrios of Wellington, FL, and Le Vio, owned by Gut Einhaus, LLC, rode to victory in the $10,000 ProElite® Open Welcome Stake after completing their jump-off trip in 33.096 seconds ahead of Abigail McArdle of Barrington, IL, and Delia B, owned by Plain Bay Sales, who took second with a time of 33.641 seconds. Taylor Flury of Minooka, IL, and Carrasca Z, owned by Aliboo Farm, Inc., earned third place after riding to a jump-off time of 33.658 seconds.

Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, and Always, owned by Victoria Colvin LLC, took top honors in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby during ESP Spring I with a total score of 187. Rush Weeden of Antitoch, IL, and Upstate, owned by Glory Days Farm, LLC, rode to second place with a final score of 184, while Weeden and Dolce finished in third place, completing two rounds with a total of 177.

Victoria Colvin and Always

The Wanderers Club Children’s Pony Hunter Division saw Taylor Cawley of Wellington, FL, and Ju-Ju B, owed by Cawley, take the division championship ahead of Cecelia Perry of North Venice, FL, and her own Quicksilver Patriot, who secured reserve champion honors.

Penny Lombardo of Loxahatchee, FL, and Charismo, owned by Joyce L Kutcher, championed the Triple Crown Nutrition Green Hunter 3’3″ Division ahead of Joanne Kovacs of Westport, CT, who guided Legolas, owned by Stephanie Clarke, to reserve.

Kelsey Duffy of PBDT Ruffian, FL, and Mr. O, owned by Savonna Adell, secured the divisional championship in the USHJA Hunter 2’6″ Division, while Maggie Gould of Wellington, FL, and Susannah Rose’s Baron Z were awarded with reserve champion.

Hannah Isop of Pawlings, NY, and Billy Cavalier, owned by Donna Miller, were champions of the USHJA Hunter 3′ Division, while reserve champion was awarded to Jennifer Papiernik, riding Avellino, owned by Allison Moynihan.

Caitlin Sweeney of Oyster Bay, NY, and Golden Ticket, owned by Cheryl Amaral-McKee, finished atop the Walk/Trot Division ahead of Victoria Lopez of Wellington, FL, collected reserve champion with Pillow Fight, owned by CMJ Sporthorse, LLC.

The Performance Hunter 3’6″ & 3’3″ Division also saw Hannah Isop of Pawlings, NY, riding Believe, owned by Ayodele Hart take top divisional honors. Reserve champion was awarded to BJ Ehrhardt of Goshen, NY, and Micah 7:7, owned by Leigh Creamer.

The Medium Pony Hunter Division saw Kat Fuqua of Atlanta, GA, and Finesse RF, owned by Fuqua, rise to the top of the division. Savonna Adell of Bloomfield Hills, MI, and Laugh Out Loud, owned Adell, captured reserve champion honors for their efforts in the division.

Jennifer Prior of Wellington, FL, was awarded champion of the Pilates Rocks Low Adult Hunter Division aboard winning mount Le Chat Noir, owned by Catomine Farm. Reserve champion was presented to Linda Clarke of Wellington, FL, and Dream Catcher, owned by Clarke.

Aizlynn Radwanski of Mohnton, PA, and Scripted finished atop Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6″ Division. Kaitlin Porath of Charlotte, NC, and her own Breaux captured reserve placement.

Photo Credit ©AnneGittinsPhotography. These photos may only be used once in relation to this press release.