Todd Minikus & Betty Balou are the Best in $25,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix

By Jumper News on 2022-09-27

Mill Spring, North Carolina, USA – September 25, 2022 – Todd Minikus (USA) and Autumn View Farm’s Betty Balou claimed the win in the $25,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix during the first week of the Tryon Fall Series at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC).

The American and the 9-year-old bay Oldenburg gelding (Balou du Rouet x Argentinus) triumphed with a speedy clean jump-off performance in 38.462 seconds.

**Sarah Hubbard** (USA) & **Latino Van De** **Looise Heide**

Reserve honors went to Sarah Hubbard (USA) and Hubbard Horses, LLC’s 2011 Belgian Warmblood gelding Latino Van De Looise Heide (Cantos x Hadrilla Van De Looise Heide) with a time of 38.905 seconds.

Brian Murphy (USA) and Light Speed Equestrian, LLC’s 2014 Westphalian stallion Dubolensky (Douglas x Fiquinerie) rode to a time of 39.861 to finish third.

Twenty-three entries tackled course designer Skip Bailey’s (USA) track, with 10 riders advancing to the jump-off. Todd Minikus piloting two rides to the second round: the Oldenburg mare Betty Balou (Balou du Rouet x Alisson) claimed the win, with Autumn View Farm’s Belgian Warmblood mare Morgana Van De Brouwershoeve (Nonstop x Talmery Zeus Verte), having the quickest time, but the last rail down to keep them from the win. Minikus was very proud of Betty Balou, saying:

**Todd Minikus** (USA) & **Betty Balou**

“She’s been going very well. That’s the second Grand Prix win that she’s had in a few weeks and she’s just been going really nice and getting pretty consistent. She’s a little bit of a hot mare, but she’s starting to stay relaxed and still keep up that energy. So it’s a lot of fun to ride her.”

Minikus is a familiar face at TIEC and will be here for the remainder of the Tryon Fall Series, he concluded. “We’re back here for the Fall series and we’re glad to be back in Tryon. We think it’s a great facility and we really enjoy being here.”

Final Results – $25,000 Tryon Grand Prix

1) Todd Minikus (USA) & Betty Balou – 0 / 0 – 38.462

2) Sarah Hubbard (USA) & Latino Van De Looise Heide – 0 / 0 – 38.905

3) Brian Murphy (USA) & Dubolensky – 0 / 0 – 39.861

full results

Source: Press Release by Lily Yampolsky for TIEC – Tryon International Equestrian Center