Todd Minikus is adding two experienced horses to his string: Clouwni and Vita 24.
Venezuelan Emanuel Andrade competed Clouwni through the 1.60-meter level, winning a class last year in Lexington, Ky. Before Andrade had the ride on the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Colman—Odessa XVII, La Zarras), Marlon Módolo Zanotelli rode Clouwni for Brazil, jumping double clear in the Nations Cup portion of the competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (France) and helped Brazil finish second at the 2013 Furusiyya Nations Cup Final (Spain).
“Emanuel suggested I have a ride on him, and if I liked it to take him and show him for a bit,” said Minikus, Loxahatchee, Fla. “It’s awesome that Emanuel would consider me to ride such a nice horse for him, and I really thank him for that. I’d seen the horse go, and he’s obviously a special creature, and I’m very excited. I’m going to do the best possible job I can with him.”
The Andrade family will continue to own Clouwni.
Vita 24, an 11-year-old Holsteiner mare (Carinjo—Rocca I, Contender), had been campaigned by Katharina Offel of the Ukraine for the last six months, and before that she was ridden by Dutch show jumper Gert Jan Bruggink.
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“A friend of mine knew of her and told me I should go have a look at her, so I went to Europe for a quick peek,” said Minikus. “I suggested to Mr. Cadena [of Two Swans Farm] that Two Swans buy her to fit in with the string of horses that they have for me.
“She has some experience but not that much at the top level, but I don’t know that it will take that long for her to move into the top level,” he added.
Clouwni and Vita 24 will join other top horses in Minkus’ stable like Quality Girl and Babalou 41, who have each already won a major grand prix during the 2016 Wellington Equestrian Festival in Florida. The new recruits joined the stable too late to be considered for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games; Minikus is aiming Babalou 41 toward that goal.
“I want to thank everyone for all the help along the way,” said Minikus. “We have great sponsorship and support.”
