Horsesdaily News: Todd Minikus and Gardenio Win the $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup by 2 Seconds

Todd Minikus and Gardenio Win the $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup by 2 Seconds

Tampa, FL – March 20, 2003 – The $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup, Round VIII in the series was the featured class at the Tampa Bay Classic at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Fifty-three horses attempted the course and Todd Minikus won riding Gardenio in a time of 60.17 seconds – a full two seconds faster than the second place horse.

Todd Minikus on Garenio Photo by Randi Muster

Gardenio is a black Hanoverian gelding owned by YZ Partners. In second place was Leslie Howard riding Priobert De Kalvarie who is owned by Higher Ground Farm.

In the Hunter Rings, Stellar was Pre Green Hunter 3’3” Champion with Scott Hofstetter riding for owner Alysha Leonard.

Emil Spadone on Mynos Photo by Randi Muster

Emil Spadone rode Mynos to the First Year Green Hunter Championship. Mynos is owned by Redfield Farm. Reserve Champion was Southern Lights with Samantha Darling riding for Dr. Sheila Buchbinder.

Social Secretary was Champion in the Green Conformation Hunters

with Jeffrey Ayers riding for owner Thomas Deibert. Reserve Champion Green Conformation Hunter was Barbados with Heidi Fish riding for Elsa Goding.

The American Invitational will be held March 29, in the Raymond James Stadium. Thirty horses will be invited by the amount of money won during the Winter Equestrian Festival in designated classes. This class has one of the largest purses of any Grand Prix type competition in this nation.

High on the list of competitors expected to be at the American Invitational will be 2 riders from Germany. They are a husband and wife team and both competed very successfully throughout the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit in Wellington, FL. Markus and Meredith Beerbaum are both accomplished equestrians and they will be more than ready to challenge the American riders for the $200,000 purse. Meredith won the $75,000 Tommy Bahama Open in Wellington on March 2, riding Shutterfly.

Dates for Tampa Winter Equestrian Festival
(Each week of competition runs Wed - Sun beginning at 8:00 AM)

Tampa Bay Classic March 19-23 CSI***/W
Tournament of Champions March 25-29 CSI**/W
Budweiser American Invitational March 29 in Raymond James Stadium

Tickets for the Budweiser American Invitational, March 29 at Raymond James Stadium are available at Ticket Master (813) 287-8844 or at Stadium Jumping (877) 909-9436.

Tickets for Winter Equestrian Festival at Tampa Fairgrounds are Wednesday through Friday $5. Children under 12 years are free. Saturday and Sunday Adult tickets are $10. Seniors and Students are $5 all days. For schedule, directions and information visit www.stadiumjumping.com.