The Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) course design tested 50 entries over the first round, accepting 15 pairs back for the speed test. Minikus and the 2009 Zangersheide mare (Andiamo Z x Landaris) were up against some of the world’s best, including three pairs in the top ten FEI World Rankings, and several former winners of the WIHS President’s Cup, but Minikus was able to pull off his third victory in the last three decades, this time at a venue he often calls home base.

“I have to be honest, when I was in the schooling area and I saw Karl’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’s freaky fast chestnut, and then Kent Farrington... I thought, ‘wow this is a crazy jump-off,’” Minikus admitted. “My horse warmed up well and I gave it a good try, and somehow it worked out!” Claiming his first WIHS President’s Cup win in 1990, Minikus became one of just a handful to have ever earned three such wins with his performance.