News

A journey of dreams ...

For Tori Corts, her accomplishments in equestrian circles began only three years ago, when she took her first lesson with her sister, Kim. Her passion grew stronger with each lesson, and her parents knew then she was serious about riding.

Parents Wayne and Carla Corts decided that if this was what Tori wanted to do, they would do it right, with the best training. As a result, she began riding with Olympic veteran Todd Minikus.

Her father decided to construct a 33,000 square foot, state-of-the-art riding facility at the family home on Falkirk Farm in Central Valley, NY.

The indoor riding arena and stable area can accommodate more than 20 horses. Todd Minikus, along with his horses and staff, spend six months a year in this pastoral landscape.

Much of Torišs time with Minikus is spent competing at horse shows such as HITS Saugerties, Sussex County Fair, Lake Placid and the Hampton Classic. Her wins last year in the Childrenšs Jumper Division included First Place in the M&S Classics HITS V&VI, First Place in NAL & M&S Classic at Sussex County, First Place NAL at Lake Placid and Champion at the Hampton Classic.

Winters are spent competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL where she has moved up to the Junior Jumper Division with two of her horses, Quali DeBd (Bebe) and Orkaan. Tori also competes in the Equitation Division on her newest horse, Showtime. She plans to compete on a Grand Prix level by the time she is 18.

Tori's days are long and arduous. Minikus insists on a rigid work ethic, but her parentsš support helps her succeed.

Minikus started riding ponies at the age of six. He has been awarded the distinction of being named the A Leading Gentleman Rider at the 1990 Washington International Horse Show. In addition, he is the only rider to win the AGA Budweiser Grand Prix of Indianapolis five times.

Minikus was selected as the AUSA Equestrian of the Year in 2001; awarded the USA William C. Steinkraus Equestrian of Honor Trophy as well as USET Athlete of the Month for July and USAE Reserve National Champion Open Jumper. In 2001 alone, he placed first in 10 major events in the United States and one in Canada.

Minikus believes his strongest asset is his work ethic. A soft-spoken yet intense man, he grew up in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He somewhat fondly recalls that when he was a boy he watered 60 to 70 horses every day after school in exchange for one riding lesson a week.

Recently, Tori has begun competing in the Equitation Division with her horse Showtime. Equitation Classes are specifically defined as one in which the rider, not the horse, is judged. The rider must demonstrate good seat and hands, and sufficient management of the horse to perform the required tests ‹ both on a jump course and the flat ‹ in a smooth and accurate manner. As a result, the skill of the horse is secondary to the skill of the rider.

Tori's classification as a Junior Jumper means that she is under the age of 18 and is judged on her ability to jump horses under strict standards. Jumper classes are athletic tests of speed and strength calling for technical accuracy on the part of the rider and absolute obedience on the part of the horse. The two are required to complete a course of obstacles at a height of approximately 4' 3" with 4' 9" spreads (widths), then go on to a shortened course. It is a difficult feat to master.

When she is competing, she arrives at the show grounds at 7 a.m. to walk her courses and plan out how she will ride. She checks to see what order she will ride her horses and in which ring. She then rides each horse that will be competing for 30 to 60 minutes to warm them up. Just before it is her turn to show, her trainer coaches her and has her jump a few warm-ups before proceeding to the ring.

In the winter, when she is competing in Florida, she flies out on Thursdays and back home on Mondays. On her two days off she works out in the gym, riding a stationary bike or running on the treadmill for 30 minutes, followed by strength training.

In the summer Torišs schedule is different but no less demanding. She is up around 8, has breakfast and heads to the barn to get her horses ready. She works with Todd and does dressage, which helps to get the horses supple, balanced and responsive to her. They also work on gymnastics, which are a series of jumps in a row, to help teach each horse how to use his body and allow her to work on her position in the saddle.

Tori rides her own three horses, then between two and four of Todd's horses. Some are young horses that are learning and some are Grand Prix horses that need exercise. Each horse is ridden for approximately an hour each day five or six days a week. After she finishes, each horse must be bathed and, if they have jumped, their legs must be wrapped. Her day ends around 6 p.m. when the horses get feed, water and hay while their stalls are cleaned for a second time that day. Finally, laundry is washed and folded to be ready for the next day's routine.

Tori is an inspiration to young people as a model of how onešs will and interest can create a lifestyle resulting in a healthy future. Strong parental and family support is paramount, not only for a competitive winning edge, but by instilling the idea that believing in oneself, combined with strong efforts, makes a winner. Despite traveling to Florida frequently during the winter months to train or show, she still manages to accomplish all her school work as well as the chores required to maintain the path she has chosen. However, because of such a strenuous schedule, after completing this year at Monroe-Woodbury Tori will be privately tutored.

For Tori Corts the ultimate goal is to represent the United States in the Olympics. But it isnšt only about the winning, itšs about the journey. It is possible that the brute strength of a horse, combined with talent and the strength of a dream, can create a legend.