Bridgehampton, NY—August 28, 2007—It doesn’t get much better than this for Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, Florida. Minikus, a team Bronze Medalist at this summer’s Pan American games in Rio de Janeiro, had a perfect day at the Hampton Classic Horse Show on Tuesday, winning both Open Jumper classes held in the Grand Prix ring.
In the morning, Minikus won the 1.35 meter class on Eltonn, owned by Tracey Topping. The second time around Minikus captured the $5,000 Land Rover Open Jumper 1.40 meter Class riding Ultimo Rouge, owned by Minikus and Deborah Connor.
The 32nd Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions, continues through Sunday, September 2. The Classic hosts hunter/jumper competition for riders ranging from the youngest competitors in Leadline and Short Stirrup classes all the way up to the Olympic veterans in the $150,000 FTI Grand Prix.
With more than $500,000 in prize money, 50,000 spectators and 1,500 horses, the Hampton Classic is not only a sporting event of major proportions, but also one of the most noteworthy social events of the summer. The Classic’s featured event, the $150,000 FTI Grand Prix, will be held on Sunday afternoon, September 2.
Minikus and Ultimo Rouge topped the one-round Land Rover class with a clean round in a time of 62.140 seconds. Chris Kappler, winner of team Gold and individual Silver medals at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, was second to Minikus on Maserati, owned by Marsha Dammerman. They finished just one one-hundredth of a second behind with a time of 62.150. Carolyn Kelly was third on Rulanda, owned by Lulu Equestrian Enterprises LLC, with 64.800 seconds.
“It was a great day at the Classic,” beamed Minikus. “This morning I won a class for Tracey Topping. She is such a great lover of her horses, so it is nice to win for her. This time I won on a horse that I just purchased last week and showed for the first time. It’s a good way to start off.”
Upcoming the Hampton Classic’s highlights in the Grand Prix Ring are the bluhammock music 1.45 meter Open Jumper on Thursday; the $50,000 GREY GOOSE® Vodka FEI World Cup™ Qualifier CSI-W on Friday; Cablevision Kid’s Day, presented by Monty Python’s SPAMALOT on Saturday which features the $25,000 Sotheby’s International Realty Challenge and the final phase of the $10,000 Wölffer Estate Equitation Championship, both which will be held in the Grand Prix ring.
Sunday is highlighted by the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby, a member of event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, and the $10,000 Hermès Hunter Classic in the morning prior to the $150,000 FTI Grand Prix.
Those unable to attend the Hampton Classic have ample opportunity to see it on television. WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, is broadcasting up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv.
The Classic also receives extensive coverage on WLIU 88.3 FM, a long time sponsor and the official radio station of the Hampton Classic. WLIU will broadcast updates daily throughout the Classic as well as live programs from the Classic on Saturday-Sunday, September 1-2.
For more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501.c.3 charitable corporation.
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