The Sanctuary Peak Performance Award Presented at Live Oak International Horse Show to Todd Minikus and Boots Wright
Ocala, FL (April 2, 2013) – The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Center recognized competitors Todd Minikus and Boots Wright for their winning success during the Live Oak International Horse Show in Ocala, Florida on March 20-24, 2013. Todd Minikus with Quality Girl won the $50,000 CSI2* Grand Prix show jumping event and Boots Wright with her two driving ponies, Marko and Mista Q, won the Intermediate Pair Pony event. The Sanctuary Peak Performance Award is given to acknowledge those competitors that through excellent conditioning and care have created winning equine
athletes. “Our Peak Performance Award recognizes and honors equestrians who are dedicated to the same level of care for their equine athletic partners – before, during and after the shows,” explains Brenda McDuffee, The Sanctuary General Manager.
Todd Minikus of Wellington, FL competed on a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Chris Brems of Belgium. After the jump-off Minikus explained, “Being second in the order and with Rodrigo and Brianne behind you, you can approach it two ways- you can try to shut the door right from the beginning, or go clear conservatively and hope they make mistakes. Quality Girl won the speed yesterday, so I decided to go for it.”
Not only did Minikus win the $50,000 CSI2* on Saturday but also the two preceding competitions, the $5,000 1.30m Waldron Wealth Management Power & Speed class and the $10,000 E2 Show Jumpers Welcome Stake on Friday. “It’s not my first day at the rodeo!” said Minikus.
Boots Wright of Southern Pines had an equally impressive weekend with a high score of 38.61 after dressage and ending with a winning score of 114.26 in the Intermediate Pair Pony division. She campaigned her flashy chestnut ponies named, Marko and Mista Q, to end victoriously after the three phases. Offering the highest amount of prize money of any driving event in North America, Live Oak International attracts the top level
competitors and also hosts the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Championship for Pair Driving each year. Live Oak International has hosted an annual driving competition for more than 20 years.
The Live Oak International Horse Show is unique in that it features both world-class driving and show jumping events. Held at Live Oak Plantation in Ocala, FL, the private 4,000-acre farm of the Weber family remains the only competition in North America offering this international level and combination of events. The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Center of Ocala, FL is pleased to present The Peak Performance Award to promote the importance of proper athletic training and conditioning in conjunction with this unique event.
The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Center’s main campus is located in Ocala, Florida. The 30-acre, state-of-the-art facility is a multi-million dollar rehabilitation and conditioning facility that features the most advanced conditioning and rehab equipment available in the world today. The Cold Saltwater Leg Spa is the ideal treatment for legs. The 35-degree turbulated saltwater eliminates pain, reduces swelling and inflammation, removes heat, increases circulation, relieves sore feet and speeds healing. The Sanctuary also offers an Equine Hyperbaric Chamber, which is a box stall type for freedom of movement while therapy is administered, an Aqua Pacer Water Treadmill – the safest, most effective water treadmill available, a 110 foot long, 14 foot deep inline equine swimming pool with therapeutic water, a 5/8 mile race track, two Eurocisers with therapeutic tracking surface – one under cover and one outdoors, Solariums, and Temperature-controlled veterinary inspection area with semi-surgical lighting, and rubberized surfaces in most areas.
The Sanctuary has quickly been recognized by horsemen and women from all disciplines as the finest, most comprehensive facility of its kind in the world. “Our goal, first and foremost, is to send every horse home in the best condition possible as well as physically and mentally sound,” explains McDuffee.
The Sanctuary has built a solid reputation on their ability to condition and rehabilitate equines of all disciplines. For more information on the Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Center visit www.sanctuaryequinerehab.com.
Photo 1: Todd Minikus and Quality Girl were presented with The Sanctuary Peak Performance award after winning the $50,000 CSI2* Live Oak International Grand Prix on Saturday, March 23, 2013. (Photo courtesy of www.PicsofYou.com )Photo 2: Boots Wrightand her team were presented with The Sanctuary Peak Performance Award for driving. (Photo courtesy www.PicsofYou.com )
Brenda McDuffee – General Manager
The Sanctuary Equine Sports
Therapy & Rehabilitation Center
brendam@sanctuaryequinerehab.com
1-352-369-HEAL (4325)
