Quality Girl Again Proves Her Namesake True, Carrying Todd Minikus to Win $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix Presented by Zoetis

SAUGERTIES, NY (June 6, 2014) – Quality Girl is no stranger to clean rounds with Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, Florida and at the top of her game as of late. Highlighted by their Open Jumper success at Devon last weekend and today, winning the HITS $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix the 11-year-old Oldenburg mare continues to shine.

“She’s turning into a machine,” said Minikus after they topped a field of 38 to bring home the blue. “We were under some pressure in the jump-off, but I rode exactly like I always do, and she got it done for me.”

With 16 pairs advancing to the jump-off, that “pressure” begged Minikus to take a chance over the shorter course. An inside turn to the fifth fence, that no one else dared attempt, made all the difference.  

Designer Martin Otto,  of Muenster, Germany,  set a first-round course of 12 obstacles with 15 jumping efforts and was pleased with the final result. “Some might look at the scoreboard and think the course was too lucky for these riders, only one retired and the most faults was 18. That is success to me,” said Otto. “My purpose was to give these horses and riders confidence for Sunday and allow the younger, less experienced pairs to have a good day.”

Minikus was pleasantly surprised by Otto’s reasoning. “Many horses jumped nice rounds today and that’s good for everybody,” he said. “The course served its purpose and competitors well.”

Kevin Babington of Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania was first to jump clear from the number-one spot in the original order aboard his own Mark Q. They returned to set an immediate Great American Time to Beat at 51.99 seconds.

One ride later Minikus and Quality Girl left out strides and wowed the crowd with their breakneck turning skills, stopping the clock at 46.42 seconds. Thirteen contenders tried, but they couldn’t be caught.

Jeffery Welles came close, however. The Wellington, Florida native piloted Prem Dollar Boy to cross the timers at 50.60 seconds for second. Catherine Tyree of Chicago, Illinois and Sandor de la Prince were clear with a time of 51.50 seconds to finish third for owners Joseph & Mary Tyree. Babington ended fourth while Adrienne Iverson of Califon, New Jersey capped the top five in the irons Redfield Farms’ Ultimo.

Decked in sponsor swag from  Éce Equestrian to Charles Owen, Minikus has big plans for this weekend. The $100,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix presented by Zoetis takes center stage as the HITS Saugerties spring series ends on a high note.

“Quality Girl and all my horses are fed Purina,” said Minikus. “Hopeful that gives us a little extra luck come Sunday.” 

About SmartPak
SmartPak powers healthy horses and happy riders. The patented SmartPak Supplement Feeding System™ makes it easy for riders across the country to take the best care of their horses. Founded in 1999, with the purpose of simplifying the administration of nutritional supplements and medications to horses, the system has been adopted by thousands of barns and horse owners across the country, who value knowing that their supplements will be fed correctly. For more information, visit SmartPak.com.

About Zoetis
Building on 60 years of experience as Pfizer Animal Health, Zoetis delivers quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostics products and genetics tests and supported by a range of services. They work every day to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals in ways they find truly relevant. Zoetis produces a comprehensive range of safe and effective products, including equine vaccines, dewormers and sedative analgesics, to help professionals and individual horse owners keep their animals healthy. Both veterinarians and horse owners know and trust the Zoetis will help their horses live longer, healthier lives. For more information, visit Zoetis.com.


©ESI Photography
Todd Minikus and Quality Girl were the top pair in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix presented by Zoetis at HITS Saugerties.


©ESI Photography
Tony Hitchcock of HITS presents Todd Minikus and Quality Girl (pictured with Aries) with winners awards, including a Horze Equestrian cooler, after Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix presented by Zoetis at HITS Saugerties.

$25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis
 

PlaceHorse                Owner                          Rider                    Prize $Rd 1 FaultsJO FaultsJO Time
1 Quality Girl Quality Group Todd Minikus $7,500  0 0 46.42
2 Prem Dollar Baby Mary Kate Olsen Jeffery Welles $5,500 0 0 50.60
3 Sandor de la Pomme Joseph & Mary Tyree Catherine Tyree $3,250 0 0 51.50
4 Mark Q Kevin Babington Kevin Babington $2,000 0 0 51.99
5 Ultimo Redfield Farm Adrienne Iverson $1,500 0 0 52.68
6 California 62 Sagamore Farm Jonathan Corrigan $1,250 0 0 52.82
7 Shorapur Shorapur, LLC Kevin Babington $1,000 0 4 49.12
8 Aries Noel Love Gross Todd Minikus $750 0 4 51.70
9 Artemis John Wolff Ali Wolff $750 0 4 52.84
10 Indigo Garber, Griese, Hidden Creek & Gladewinds Margie Engle $500 0 8 51.45
11 Ramses du Lavillon McLain Ward & Missy Clark Julie Welles $500 0 8 52.08
12 Attack II David Gochman Amanda Derbyshire $500 0 8 53.62

$10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome
Jeffery Welles made Mary Kate Olsen twice as proud this week, piloting Prem Dollar Baby to win the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome before they were second on Friday. They bested 32 to kick off the final week of competition in the spring series.

Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, New Jersey was second and fourth with her Mary Chapot-owned mounts Umberto and Shooting Star. Third went to Julie Welles of Wellington, Florida and Daloubet du Rouet VT, owned by Stephex Stables and Missy Clark. She also capped the top five aboard Kadley Holdings, LLC’s Casstess HBC.

Brook Ledge Horse Transportation will continue to present a weekly jumper class throughout the HITS Saugerties summer and fall series’. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Welcome riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus, which includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the circuit.


©ESI Photography
Jeffery Welles and Prem Dollar Boy on their way to a win in the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome at HITS Saugerties.