Todd Minikus: Cowboy at Heart

Todd Minikus is a charmer. Not in the James Bond debonair way, but in the soft-hearted cowboy who saves the day and the herd and gets the girl way.

His affability disguises a deadly serious intent illustrated by over 130 victories in national and international competition and lifetime money earned. That he has only once been USJHA Rider of the Year (2014) and consistently overlooked for team selection for the “major games” is puzzling to many who have followed his exploits over the last three decades.

In July, he travelled to Toronto for the Pan Ams as the US team’s reserve with Two Swans Farm’s Oldenburg mare Babalou 41, but they did not get the chance to compete. Apart from seven World Cup Finals, Todd’s only other championship appearance for the USA was over eight years ago, at the Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he won team bronze. Maybe there is something prophetic in that venue. Todd is hopeful there is. He thinks he has the horsepower.

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Todd’s many seasons in the business are littered with distinctions. Recently he and Babalou jumped double clear in the Nations Cups at Wellington and Hickstead. They also came second (to a former student of Todd’s) in the 4* Hampton Classic. In September 2014 he claimed the $1-million Grand Prix at Saugerties with Quality Girl.

Of course, there have been disappointments. In 2011, he came out of surgery for a broken collarbone only to be taken down by Legionnaires disease and pneumonia. This past October he was off the circuit for two months after tearing his abductor tendon off his pubic bone in a fall in the warm-up at the Longines Los Angeles Masters.

Todd, however, is as tough as they come. “There’s no crying in show jumping,” he once quipped to an interviewer. I asked him if the stories of his bull riding were true or just urban myth. He replied that he never claimed to be a bull rider, but he did do some training. “It is the greatest sport there is. Man hasn’t altered it to give him an advantage. It’s just man against beast, battling it out.”

At 53, Todd says he’s much too old for the bucking chute, plus he’s a family man now. Originally from Iowa, he moved to Florida in 2000 from Chicago and makes his home now in Wellington with wife Amanda and children Colt, 4, and Langley, 7. Their 24-stall barn has a western chic feeling to it, very warm and relaxed – much the same as its owner.

How did you get started with horses?

My grandfather bought me a pony for my first birthday. I would go to his farm every weekend and ride with him. It was backyard stuff on western horses. My parents were always supportive. When I was ten, we moved to a house which was right next door to a big stable. Every day after school I would go and water 70 horses in exchange for one lesson a week. Eventually I was doing hunter-jumpers and virtually lived at Robin Hill stables with Audrey Holt, who was an enormous influence.

What would you consider a high point in your career?

Every win is special, but I get a kick out of it all: win, lose or draw. I’m proud of them all, wins and losses. Anyone who knows me knows I hate fricking losing, but I see it as all part of competition and part of the enjoyment of competing.

And a low point?

Being left out of the Olympic team for Sydney in 2000. I had the best horse [Oh Star] but because of internal politics I wasn’t put on the team. It was a poor decision. (Ed. note: Todd purchased Oh Star as a four-year-old at auction; now 24, the Belgian Warmblood stallion is still living with Todd and Amanda.)

Were sacrifices made along the way?

You always make sacrifices. That’s what life is about, choices and sacrifices. I remember at high school I would feel a bit left out when all my football and swim team buddies would laugh about all the fun they were having on the weekend while I was away at horse shows. I had the last laugh, though, because all the girls were at the horse shows!

What ingredient besides horsepower give you a competitive edge?

It’s hard to describe, but it’s some sort of internal burn that makes you driven and willing to make those sacrifices.

What’s your weekly routine like?

All summer we are on the road with 20 or so horses and all winter we are competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival. I ride as many horses as I can fit in a day. I do zero paperwork. If I’m doing paperwork there’s something seriously wrong. The boss [Amanda] runs the barn. I teach mostly from the saddle, so when I’m riding, my students will also be riding. It’s a good way for them to learn. Monkey see, monkey do. Explain and demonstrate. I think if they can see it, they can grasp it better, because riding “feels” different for everyone.

What’s on the horizon for you?

I think I have a couple of horses now good enough for Rio. Unfortunately, my injury has screwed up my planning. The World Cup Final was a goal, but I am missing all the qualifiers. It’s a test of patience, believe me.

Is your world ranking important to you?

I don’t think rankings are an evaluation of talent, capability or level. Rankings do not impress me. There are people who are unbelievable riders who aren’t in the top 200. The only importance rankings have is getting you into shows. It’s a necessary evil, in my mind.

Medals or money – what’s most important?

Depends on the stage of your life. A medal is for you – money is for your family. At the end of the day, winning a medal has little impact. Great riders have won medals; just look at Joe Fargis, one of the best riders in the world. He’s at the show every day during WEF and I bet you none of the kids could point him out to you.

If life hadn’t taken you where it has, what profession would you have pursued?

I’d have been driving race cars or deep-sea fishing. I never could have done a nine-to-five job.

Where did you last go on vacation?

We took the kids to Disney.

Do you have a fitness regimen?

No, but I think I’m going to have to start one! Amanda says I’m carrying 12 extra pounds and need to work out.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I don’t think there’s enough space to tell you all of them, but the worst is probably soda pop.

If you had the opportunity to sit down with any celebrities (alive or dead), who would you invite to your table?

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards … and John Wayne – as the cowboy, not the actor.

If you had a life lesson to share with your children, what would it be?

Pay attention. Pay attention to what’s going on around you and to what mom and dad are telling you; what the horses are telling you. It is so easy to get distracted these days and miss stuff. Sometimes if you’d just pay attention, you’d be surprised what you can accomplish.