Written by: Sarah Harper
Client: SBS Farms, Ltd. http://www.thebtrc.org/
Release Date: 2016-10-03
Buffalo, NY – Oct. 3, 2016 – SBS Farm’s clients had a standout weekend at the 70th Annual Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) winning multiple tricolor ribbons. Alexis Mierzwa claimed the Championship in the 1.0m Low Children’s/Adult Jumpers aboard Jessica Sciarra’s Caspian, a 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding. The pair took home second place in the $1,500 S.A. Comunale Low Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic.
Mierzwa continued her winning ways with a Reserve Championship in the Adult Amateur 36 and Over Hunter division bringing home the Reserve Championship with BTRC’s Whispering. The pair also won the $500 “Shogun” Adult-Amateur Hunter Classic.
Kristy Herrera claimed the First Year Green Working Hunter division championship aboard SBS Farms Inc’s The Exchange, an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. The pair took home the top spots in the over fences classes as well as the under saddle and handy class. Herrera has had a successful summer after taking over the reins for Jen Alfano, who is recovering from an injury. Herrera and The Exchange also brought home the Roses Are Red Grand Hunter Challenge Trophy.
In the High Performance Hunter division, Kristy Herrera and Billie Steffee’s Maggie May, a 10-year-old Brandenberger mare, topped the class in the over fences classes and the handy round to earn a second championship for the day. Close behind her was Alicia Heberle and Jennifer Alfano’s Miramar, a 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, taking home the reserve championship.
Kristy Herrera brought home her third tricolor in the Pre-Green Hunter division aboard Helen Lenehan’s 7-year-old Holsteiner mare Girl Crush. The duo finished first in the over fences classes and the handy round. The pair has had a successful summer culminating in a fifth place finish in the 2016 USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship. Alicia Heberle had a standout performance in the Low Hunter 3’division. She earned the championship aboard BTRC’s Crisp and the reserve championship with BTRC’s Whispering.
Zoe Schaab and BTRC’s Lucky Charm claimed the Reserve Championship in the Children’s Pony Hunter division. In the Opportunity Short Stirrup Hunter division it was Molly Gfroerer and Misty Malin’s Top Hat who took home the tricolor. In the Children’s Hunter Horse division Emma Walters and BTRC’s Crisp brought home the championship.
Paige Kouimanis and her own Lexus, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding placed first in the Children’s/Adult Jumper 1.10m jump-off class and second in the speed class behind Emma Seving and Sweet Oak Farm’s Mahogony. Kouimanis and Lexus brought home both the tricolor ribbon In the Children’s/Adult 1.10m division and the overall Grand Jumper Champion Ford Roy Trophy. The pair also topped the class in the $2,500 S.A. Comunale NAL Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic.
Based out of Buffalo, New York, SBS Farms, Inc.’s Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano run one of the foremost show hunter training operations in the country, and travel nationwide to compete in the most prestigious horse shows.
SBS Farms, Inc. continues the proud tradition of the Saddle and Bridle Club as one of the top show stables in the Northeast. Schoellkopf is also the executive director of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, which houses both the Buffalo Equestrian Center as well as SBS Farms, Inc. Built in 1922, the 160-stall facility is a historical landmark, with its unique English Tudor and Gothic-style architecture.
For more information on SBS Farms, please visit www.sbsfarms.com.
BIHS is the largest fundraiser for the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s students-most of whom are financially supported by this show. The generous support of donations, as well as the help of sponsors and exhibitors are only a few of the ways the BTRC raises money to fund the therapeutic riding program.
The BIHS is held each year as a benefit for the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center and had another fantastic week of competition thanks to the many exhibitors and all those involved. For more information regarding the 70th Annual Buffalo International Horse Show and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.
