October 25, 2020 
Thirty years go Todd Minikus (USA) won the Grand Prix that put him “on the map.”
Aboard the aptly named Thrilling, he rode away the victor in the 1990 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) grand prix.
In 2009, nearly 20 years later, he took the title again riding Alaska
On Saturday, he claimed it for an historic third time, claiming the $214,000 WIHS President’s Cup Grand Prix CSI4* with Amex Z.
“The Washington International [Horse Show] has been so important to my career,” said Minikus.
“Sometimes you kind of feel like, ‘Here we go, another class,’ but when they mention the President’s Cup—because it has such a history and is such a prestigious event in American show jumping—it is just as meaningful as it was 30 years ago.”
Fifty horse and rider combinations contested Anthony D’Ambrosio’s track at Tryon International Equestrian Center. With 15 advancing to the jump-off, the stage was set for a footrace to the finish.
“When I was in the schooling area and I saw Karl Cook’s horse, who was just unbelievable last week, and Beat Mändli, who the week before rode one of the fanciest jump-offs I’ve ever seen in my life, and Lillie Keenan’s fast chestnut, I thought, ‘Wow this is a crazy jump-off,’” said Minikus.
But none could catch the Floridian and his 11-year-old Zangersheide mare. The pair stopped the timer in 36.52 seconds with a faultless effort.
“Amex has really come on strong this year. I got to go a little late in the order, but I heard them announcing ‘a little bit faster, a new leader, a new leader.’ When you start hearing that, you know they are turning up the heat. I got lucky that I nailed the first jump in perfect stride, and the second fence came up perfect. I took a chance to the second to last and chased the seven strides to the last jump. Sometimes it works out!”
Karl Cook (USA) and Caillou 24 finished second in 36.82 seconds. Beat Mändli (SUI) and Galan S tied with Lillie Keenan (USA) and Fasther for third, both crossing the timers in 37.39 seconds.
