Source:  Classic Communications

Todd Minikus Wins $75,000 I Love New York Grand Prix at
I Love New York Horse Show

  Lake Placid, New York-Todd Minikus of Wellington, FL, rode Babalou 41 to victory in the $75,000 I Love New York Grand Prix Sunday to culminate the 2014 I Love New York Horse Show, Presented by Sea Shore Stables.

            Minikus earned the win as the only one from the starting field of 24 to successfully complete the first-round course designed by Show Jumping Hall of Famer Steve Stephens. He became the first rider since Charlie Jacobs in 2009 to win the I Love New York Grand Prix without a jump-off.

Todd Minikus and Babalou 41

(c) The Book LLC

            The win was not without controversy as Callan Solem and VDL Wizard, originally ruled to have scored four faults for a rail down at fence 4B, the second half of an oxer combination, were given a clean round after a review of her ride by officials showed that the rail was still in the cups while she approached fence eight and that her horse did not knock it down. Given that ruling, a jump-off was held and after Minikus scored four faults and Solem followed with a clean ride, she was the presumed winner.

            However, Minikus questioned the ruling and requested another review of the video. This review by the jury, in slow motion, showed that Solem's horse had indeed hit the rail and had to be held responsible for its coming down, even if it was several seconds later. Hence, VDL Wizard was given four faults and Minikus and Babalou 41 were declared the winners. Solem and VDL Wizard finished third with Michael Hughes and MacArthur placing second as the fastest four-faulter.

            "In slow motion, we were able to see that Callan's horse did in fact hit the rail and the rule is clear that if the rail comes down any time before the horse leaves the ring then it is four faults," said judge Ralph Alfano. "You couldn't see him hit the rail when the video was played at normal speed and with a crowd here, plus both riders needing to know whether or not they would be jumping off, the decision was made to proceed with the jump-off. However, after the second review, as requested by Todd, we had an opportunity to watch in slow motion and what occurred became clear."

            A protest of the ruling is pending.

            Prior to the Grand Prix, Victoria Press and Cayenne 140 won the $10,000 Pepsi Beverages Company Junior Jumper Classic. Also, Darby Toben and D'Artagnan won the $10,000 The Whiteface Lodge Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Both Classics are member events of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series.

            Halle Fogel rode Bibi Sijgje to the win in the $5,000 Mirror Lake Inn Adult Jumper Classic, 18-40, and Nancy Hooker rode Corianos Boy to the win in the $5,000 Mirror Lake Inn Adult Jumper Classic, Over 40.

            Between the Hall of Fame Classics and the Grand Prix, the horse show's champions were honored in the Beval Saddlery Parade of Champions. Before that, the horse show hosted its 22nd annual Doggie Costume Contest presented by Animal Planet & The Brown Dog Deli & Wine Bar. More than 25 dogs participated with all entries receiving prizes. Rascal, a 4-year-old Shetland Sheepdog owned by Bruno Freeman of Bloomingdale, NY, was honored as winner for its costume, "China Dog." Charlie, a 4-year-old Labrador Retriever owned by Nora Van Veen of Havertown, PA, won the Lulu Award for funniest costume for appearing as "Robben Van Barkie, a Dutch Soccer Player."

            With the conclusion of the I Love New York Horse Show, the second of three consecutive horse shows in Lake Placid, the inaugural Adirondack Horse Show now moves on to the North Elba Show Grounds, July 9-13.

            A generous thank you to this year's sponsors including: 17 Hands Gallery; Adirondack Flying Service; Adirondack Life; Adirondacks 4-Season Guide; Animal Planet; Anonymous; Kevin Babington; Bainbridge Farms, LLC; Beacon Hill Horse Transportation, Inc.; Beval Saddlery, Ltd.; Bridleplates; Brook Ledge, Inc.; Debbie & Jim Burrows; C.M. Hadfield's Saddlery, Inc.; Carr-Hughes Productions; Casella Waste Management; Jane Forbes Clark; CMJ Sporthorse; Community Bank, NA; Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club, Lake Placid; Dartbrook Rustic Goods; David R. Fowler Custom Tack Trunks; Deeridge Farms; Der-Dau Custom Made Boots; Devoucoux, Inc.; Eastern Hay & Grain; Equifit, Inc.; Equestrian Services International, LLC (ESI); FarmVet Inc.; Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort; Hampton Inn; Hannaford Supermarkets; Hendricks Gin; James Harpel; High Peaks Cyclery; High Peaks Resort; Hollow Brook Wealth Management, LLC; The Hooker Family; Horse Watch; Horseshoe Trail Farm, LLC; Hunt LTD; J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; Jamaica Tent Company; Juliam Farm; Lake Placid CVB; Lake Placid Lodge; Lake Placid Summit Resort Hotel & Suites; Kate Levy & Family; Dan Lufkin; Michael Morrissey Enterprises, LLC; Mirror Lake Inn/The Cottage Café; Mountain Horse; North Star; Northwoods Inn; On A Fence Designs; ORDA - Whiteface Mountain; Pepsi Beverages Company; Price Chopper; Purina Animal Nutrition; Quiet Hill Farm; KJ Robinson; Ruthie's Run; Sage Hill Farm; Sand Castle Farm; Santa's Workshop; Michael Schultz; Sea Shore Stables, LLC; Sidelines; Dennis Sisco & Alexine Lesko; Storm Ridge Capital; Stretton Enterprises, Inc.; The Brown Dog Deli & Wine Bar; The Clothes Horse; The Tack Shelter; The Whiteface Lodge; The Wild Center; Town of North Elba Park District; Village of Lake Placid; Woodlea Farms; WPTZ News Channel 5; WNBZ Home of the Morning News & Rock 105. Special event sponsors include: Hannaford Supermarkets (Horse Club Junior Day & Walking Tours); Beval Saddlery, LTD (Golf Tournament); Animal Planet and The Brown Dog Deli & Wine Bar (Doggie Costume Contest); Horse Watch (Short Stirrup Clinics); Juliam Farm (Leadline Class); Santa's Workshop (Leadline Class); C.M. Hadfield's Saddlery (Parade of Champions); Beval Saddlery, LTD (Parade of Champions); The Clothes Horse (Parade of Champions).

            Further information on the Lake Placid Horse Shows presented by Sea Shore Stables, LLC is available by calling the Lake Placid Horse Show Association at 518-523-9625 or online at www.lakeplacidhorseshow.com.

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