Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, Fla., rode Pavarotti to victory in the $7,500 Open Jumper, Time First Jump-Off class last night at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair.

Minikus bested a starting field of 17 in the first jumper event of the show. Despite cold and drizzly weather, a number of riders entered the class to get a feel of the ring before tomorrow's $100,000 Grand Prix.

Minikus won with no faults in a time of 32.664 seconds. Callan Solem of Colts Neck, N.J., was second on Allison with a clean round in 39.382.

"Pavarotti jumped fantastic in Kentucky in his last Grand Prix there," Minikus said. "I wanted to get him familiar with the footing here.

"He'll just camp out tomorrow night and hopefully be ready for the Grand Prix Thursday. After Devon, he'll go to Europe to show for the U.S. Equestrian Team in the Nation's Cup in Rotterdam and Aachen."

"He's a very uncomplicated horse," Minikus said. "He goes into the ring looking for the jumps, and he gives a very sincere effort when he gets to the jump."

Alissa Kinsey of Fort Myers, Fla., won the bonus-point $5,000 North American League Adult Amateur Jumper Classic on Grisset, gaining enough points to win the championship over Katherine Edgell of Mendham, N.J., aboard Miss Kitty.

"I've had Grisset for three years," Kinsey said. "I imported her myself from Germany. She was out of my price range, but my friends in Germany arranged a deal for me and it took me a year to pay her off."

Kinsey has no trainer, which is unusual for an amateur, and no grooms.

"I have five jumpers of my own, and I go all over the country trying to win enough to support myself and my habit," Kinsey said.

"Grisset pays all the bills. I have my own van, and I do everything myself. I can't afford to have a trainer or a groom."