28 SIDELINES JULY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
vides products for both horses and riders. Other rider equipment is
provided by CWD saddles, Charles Owen helmets, Animo clothing,
and Pelani boots. Premier Equestrian supplies his jumps.
Although a dedicated staff that works well together is impera-
tive, Todd emphasizes the importance of knowing how to do the
work himself before expecting somebody else to do it. He says,
“This is a problem I have: Young professionals today don’t know
their own horses and don’t know how to take care of their horses.
How in the hell are you supposed to hire people to take care of
them if you can’t do it yourself, and can’t teach that person how to
take care of your horse?”
He strongly feels the same way about riding instructors and
the importance of being able to ride to demonstrate an example.
Todd said, “If you cannot get on and show somebody, it’s hard to
teach it. That’d be like me trying to give golf lessons.”
Todd acknowledges that a riding career can be all consuming
and that balancing a personal life with it takes effort. When asked
if he would have done things differently, he’s quick to say, “No,
absolutely not. This is something that I still love, getting up every
day, riding and [taking care of] the horses, so I couldn’t imag-
ine doing something else. I’m very fortunate. I think anybody that
does this is extremely fortunate.” Although he admits that some
days can be difficult, he feels blessed to be able to ride and travel.
He sums it up by saying, “It sure beats sitting in a high rise.”
Even when traveling to balance home and work, Todd’s per-
sonal attention to his horses that was instilled early in his career
is evident. He remains actively involved with all his horses’ daily
care, even if he’s traveling, by communicating with the members
of his team. In some ways Todd remains as involved as he was at
the start of his career. Just as he said about his early responsibility
of watering the horses every evening, “Basically that’s the same
job description I still have, to tell the truth.”
It seems Todd wouldn’t have it any other way.
About the writer: Doris Degner-Foster rides with Harvard Fox Hounds in Tulsa
when she’s not interviewing interesting individuals in the horse sport. She’s working
on a murder mystery novel where a horse strangely appears in different people’s
lives to help them through a crisis. Check out her blog, Notes From the Field on the
Sidelines website.
Todd takes home an award from Draper Equine Therapy during
the 2014 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival.
Todd and Amanda Minikus
Photo by Jack Mancini,
Despite challenges in his career, Todd believes, “There’s no cry-
ing in show jumping.”
Photo by Jack Mancini,
Todd and his horse sail through the air
Photo by Jack Mancini,
