Todd Minikus & Amex Z Thrive in $39,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 2* at Tryon

By Jumper News on 1 01America/Sao_Paulo July 01America/Sao_Paulo 2023

Mill Spring, North Carolina, USA – June 29, 2023 – With two clear rounds, Todd Minikus (USA) and Bit By Bit Group’s Amex Z earned first place in Thursday’s $39,000 ProElite Welcome Stake CSI 2* during the third week of the Tryon Summer Series at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) & Resort.

The American was supreme in the 1.45m jump-off challenge by completing the two rounds in flawless fashion, registering a time of 34.51 seconds in the decisive round.

Todd Minikus and his team have celebrated their share of victories throughout Tryon’s Spring Series, and are now starting the Tryon Summer Series presented by St. Luke’s Hospital on a high note. “Amex is a longtime partner of mine, and she’s been very successful just here lately,” Minikus said of the 2009 Zangersheide mare.

Minikus credited a recent change in tack to his Welcome Stake win. “Today I changed bridles, and it made a big difference in the way she went. That felt like the Amex that we know and love!”

With a time of 36.41 seconds, Samuel Parot (CHI) rode Trinidad Soffia’s 2013 Zangersheide mare, Cumorka Z (Copin Van De Broy x Calato) to reserve honors.

Earning third place was Kady Abrahamson (USA), aboard Abrahamson Equestrian LLC’s Any (Aliano x Alcatraz), the 2008 Holsteiner mare.

Amex Z’s stellar performance in Tryon Stadium set the team up for success. “She went fantastic! Generally, if she goes clear in the jump off, it’s class over. It’s hard to catch her if she leaves the jumps up. She’s a very fast mare and she has a huge stride, so she does one less [stride] everywhere,” Minikus detailed.

Minikus’ team is already hard at work in preparation for the $78,000 Earl Scruggs Music Festival Grand Prix CSI 2* this Saturday. “I’d like to thank Sam for taking care of [Amex Z], and Riley, Sue, and the rest of my team. They did a good job this week, so we are crossing our fingers for Saturday,” he shared.

After several weeks at Tryon, Team Minikus will return to compete in the fall. “We love it here,” Minikus concluded. “It’s great for the whole family, and it’s always a good stop for us.”