By Sara Cavanagh
Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, Fla., made a couple of very quick turns in the $7,500 Open Jumper, Time First Jump-off class last evening to ride his Pavarotti to a win in a four horse jump-off from a starting field of 17 at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair yesterday.
As the first jumper class of the show, despite cold and drizzly weather a number of horses entered the class to get a feel of the ring before today’s $100,000 Grand Prix.
Minikus won with no faults in a time of 32.664. Callan Solem of Colts Neck N.J., was second on Allison with a clean round in 39.382, Judy Garofalo Torres was third with four faults in 37.228 and Hillary Dobbs of Sussex, N.J., was fourth with eight faults in 33.748.
“Pavarotti jumped fantastic in Kentucky in his last Grand Prix there,” said Minikus following the class last night. “I wanted to get him familiar with the footing here.”
“The turn-back to the vertical he did pretty snazzy,” said Minikus. “He’ll just camp out tomorrow night and hopefully be ready for the Grand Prix Thursday. After Devon, he’ll go to Europe to show for the U.S. Equestrian Team in the Nation’s Cup in Rotterdam and Aachen.”
“He’s a very uncomplicated horse,” said Minikus. “He’s one of the least complicated horses I’ve ever ridden. He goes into the ring looking for the jumps, and he gives a very sincere effort when he gets to the jump.”
Alissa Kinsey of Fort Myers, Fla., won the bonus point $5,000 NAL Adult Amateur Jumper Classic on her Grisset, gaining enough points to win the Championship over Katerine Edgel of Mendham , N.J., and Miss Kitty.
“I’ve had Grisset for three years,” said Kinsey. “I imported her myself from Germany. She was out of my price range, but my friends in Germany arranged a deal for me, and it took me a year to pay her off.”
Kinsey has no trainer, which is very unusual for an amateur, and no grooms.
“I have five jumpers of my own, and I go all over the country trying to win enough to support myself and my habit,” said Kinsey. “Grisset pays all the bills. I have my own van, and I do everything myself. I can’t afford to have a trainer or a groom.”
Hunter Championships will be decided today, with side saddle classes featured on both the afternoon and evening schedules.
Jumpers compete as the last class this afternoon and the first class this evening.