SBS Farms Shines at HITS Ocala V

Professional Hunter rider Jennifer Alfano, out of SBS Farms, Inc., of Buffalo, New York, took HITS Ocala Week V by storm. She and Social Hill dominated the Green Conformation Hunter section, claiming the championship, while Billie Steffee’s Maggie May topped the Second Year Green/High Performance Hunters, finishing with the reserve championship.

Jennifer Alfano and Maggie May

Alfano and Social Hill, owned by SBS Farms, Inc., won the model, were victorious in two over fences classes, and won the under saddle in the Green Conformation Hunters.

Heartbreaker, owned by Barbara Kearney, also earned excellent ribbons in the Low Hunter section with Alfano in the irons. Sterling Moon, owned by Kathy Chiaf, narrowly missed a tricolor ribbon in the Pre-Green Hunters with Alfano aboard.

Alfano piloted Maggie May, a 9-year-old Bradenberger mare, to first and second places in two over fences classes, second in the under saddle, and third in the handy round. Maggie May is proving that she's a force to be reckoned with as a High Performance horse; this is her first year jumping the 4' height, and she's already had much success.

SBS student Alex Trolli guided Hey Sailor, owned by Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, to the 3'3" Junior Hunter reserve championship. Trolli is trained by Susie Schoellkopf and Alicia Heberle and also showed her own Del Piero to top ribbons.

Based out of Buffalo, New York, SBS Farms' Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano run one of the foremost show hunter training operations in the country and travel nationwide to compete.

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. 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 and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.

Press release courtesy of Phelps Media Group International.

SBS Farms Kicks Off HITS Florida Tour With Tricolors

SBS Farms, Inc., kicked off their Florida tour with an array of tricolors during HITS IV Ocala Winter Festival.

It was the young Alex Trolli who stood out as the superstar of SBS Farms. She concluded the Junior 3’3” Hunter section by riding Hey Sailor to the championship and Del Piero to the reserve championship.

Trolli has made her presence known in the hunters the past year. During the USHJA Zone 2 Hunter Finals last fall, she captured the Children’s Hunter Horse, 15-17, Reserve Championship with Hey Sailor, owned by the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. The talented young rider concluded the Finals as second in the year-end standings with Hey Sailor and sixth with Del Piero, owned by Doreen Toben.

During the Junior 3’3” Hunters, Trolli worked with trainer Alicia Heberle and earned two blue ribbons over fences and second in the under saddle with Hey Sailor. Aboard Del Piero, she earned first- and third-placed awards over fences and won the under saddle.

Professional hunter rider Jennifer Alfano returned to the show scene with the bay Brandenberger mare Maggie May, owned by Billie Steffee. They earned the High Performance Hunter Reserve Championship, with first- and third-placed finishes over fences. This is the first year that Maggie May has competed in the HITS Ocala series as a High Performance horse, and already she's showing her prowess. Alfano also earned the Pre-Green Hunter Reserve Championship with Castle, owned by Sharon O’Neill.

SBS Farms was at the top of the hunter leaderboard throughout the professional hunter divisions with Alfano riding Social Hill, Me Again, owned by Helen Lenahan, and her own Candid to top ribbons.

Based out of Buffalo, New York, SBS Farms’ Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano run one of the foremost show hunter training operations in the country and travel nationwide to compete.

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. 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 and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.

Press release courtesy of Phelps Media Group International.

National Horse Show

The 131st National Horse Show welcomed the top hunter riders in the nation to the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Kicking off the week, the professional hunters vied for the prestigious honors, with SBS Farms and Jennifer Alfano leaving their mark. Candid topped a field of competitors during the Green Conformation Hunters, earning the reserve championship rosette.

It was only two years ago that Alfano purchased a young horse for the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program. She saw a horse with the capacity to climb the ranks and become one of the industry’s best. Together, they dominated the Pre-Green Hunters throughout 2013, and fresh off the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Grand Hunter Championship, they showcased their talents at the National Horse Show.

Alfano rode the gelding to second place over fences, as well as third place in the handy on the opening day of the show. They were also awarded second place for Candid’s conformation during the Green Conformation Hunter model. On the second day of competition, Candid surpassed competitors to take second place in the stake and also captured the red ribbon during the under saddle.

“It's always really special to win on Candid because he's my horse and one that I've been able to bring up through the ranks,” Alfano said. “He was so consistent this week, and it was really fun to compete at the National Horse Show. It's such a prestigious event, and it has a very historic feel.”

Alfano also earned good ribbons with Billie Steffee’s Maggie May. Steffee was onsite to see the bay Brandenberg mare put forth consistent rounds during the Second Year Green Hunters. The SBS Farms team will now have a rest before the start of the winter circuit.

Based out of Buffalo, New York, SBS Farms' 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. Built in 1922, the 160-stall facility is a historical landmark, with its unique English Tudor and Gothic-style architecture. 

Press release courtesy of Phelps Media Group International.

Alex Trolli Takes USHJA Zone 2 Tricolor

On October 19, Alex Trolli of SBS Farms, Inc., brought home tricolor honors to Buffalo, New York, when she captured the USHJA Zone 2 Hunter Finals Children’s Hunter Horse, 15-17, Reserve Championship. Aboard Hey Sailor, owned by the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, the talented young rider made her presence known. 

Alex now sits second in the year-end standings with Hey Sailor and sixth with Del Piero, owned by Doreen Toben. 

SBS trainer Alicia Heberle was on the road with Alex throughout the summer, helping her collect points at top shows across the nation. Alex only competed in 12 shows to qualify for the USHJA Zone 2 Hunter Finals, but with the SBS Farms powerhouse team, it came as no surprise that she rode to top performances. During the summer months, Alex competed at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York, consistently placing well in classes with more than 40 competitors.

“I was definitely very nervous, but I think I handled it well. I just rode and did my best,” Alex said. “Alicia really helped me with my nerves. She stays so calm, so in turn, it made me stay calm.”

“I went in first with Hey Sailor, and she was perfect," continued Alex. "She didn’t look at anything. When I rode Del Piero, he looked around a little more, and he was great, but Hey Sailor really showed off.”

Together, Alex and her mounts have been unstoppable throughout the 2014 show season, and they didn’t lose any momentum at the Zone 2 Finals. Alex rode Hey Sailor to second place over fences and third place under saddle, and she also guided Del Piero to fifth and sixth. She will close out the end of the year in second place for her efforts.

“I wasn’t expecting to get reserve champion, but I was very happy about it,” said Alex. “I was really surprised because my nerves were a little higher during our second round over fences, but Hey Sailor and Del Piero were both great. Sitting in second for the end of the year is such a wonderful honor and means more to me than I can say because we've come such a long way in a short time.”

Alex will now move up to the Junior Hunters and is looking at colleges with competitive equestrian programs. She wants to continue on the pipeline for as long as possible, and she admitted that she could not have done it without the spectacular team at SBS Farms.

Susie Schoellkopf said, “Alex is a hard worker and a very good rider. She has a great support team with her family, especially her parents. She and Alicia have been quite a team with two top horses." 

Based out of Buffalo, New York, SBS Farms' Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano run one of the foremost show hunter training operations in the country and travel nationwide to compete in the nation's most prestigious horse shows. 

Press release by Phelps Media Group International.

Candid Captures Pennsylvania National Grand Championship

Jen Alfano and Candid

Two years ago, Jennifer Alfano purchased a young horse for the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program. She saw a horse with talent and untapped potential, a horse that she had faith would climb the ranks to become one of the industry’s best. Together, they dominated the Pre-Green Hunters throughout 2013, and today they once again showed their talent, claiming the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Grand Hunter Championship, after completing smooth and consistent rounds in the Green Conformation Hunter section.

“I’m still not even sure what happened out there,” Jen said with a smile after accepting the rosette and coveted title. “It means a lot to me, because, of course, he’s mine. He's like my child, and I spoil him like crazy. I just love this horse. He tries every single time. He has an outstanding jump and is so scopey. No matter what distance you put him at, he will jump it beautifully. Honestly, he's just a special horse.”

Jen found Candid, who is fondly called “Sheldon” after the “The Big Bang Theory” television character, through Terry Brown. He's a 6-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Quintender, and only the third horse she's ever purchased for herself. They earned two blues, one second and two third- placed ribbons to capture the championship, and later they were announced as the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Grand Hunter Champions.

Nearly 24 years ago, Jen began working with Susie Schoellkopf and SBS Farms—the rest is history. The Harrisburg hometown rider has shown some of the most prestigious hunters to the pinnacle of the standings at horse shows across the nation, including capturing the 2012 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship title in Lexington, Kentucky, with Jersey Boy. Today, she not only celebrated her win with Candid, but also the Leading Hunter Rider Award, a shared victory of 30 points with fellow hunter rider Scott Stewart.

“It feels great to win this honor, especially since I'm originally from Harrisburg,” Jen said. “Anytime I win here, it's a big deal."

Jen also rode to the Pre-Green 3’ Hunter Reserve Championship with Social Hill, owned by SBS Farms, Inc. The gelding has become a rising star in the Pre-Green Hunter sections, jumping to the high score of 90 points during once class of the section, and showcasing his talent even further with the fifth-placed finish in the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Stake.

During the Pre-Green 3’3” Hunters, Jen was in the irons for Sharon O’Neill, riding Chances R to good ribbons and a strong finish in the stake class out of 17 contenders. She also competed in the High Performance Hunters with Jersey Boy, taking three second-place awards with the quirky chestnut gelding. In the Second Year Green Working Hunters, she completed the show with Maggie May finishing with top results.

Jen Alfano receives the co-Leading Hunter Rider Award with Scott Stewart

“Jen is not only a great rider, but also a great caretaker," said Susie. "She knows her horses inside and out. Jen is just, well, she’s all of it. She’s a great horseman and knows every horse in the barn, as well as the care. She's a great example to all the up-and-coming riders.”

Based out of Buffalo, New York, SBS Farms' Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano run one of the foremost show hunter training operations in the country, and travel nationwide to compete in the nation's 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. Built in 1922, the 160-stall facility is a historical landmark, with its unique English Tudor and Gothic-style architecture. 

Press release courtesy of Phelps Media Group International

Rising Star Alex Trolli

Juggling school and a full schedule of showing is no small feat, but Alex Trolli of SBS Farms makes it look easy. With a powerhouse support system behind her, 17-year-old Trolli has moved up the pipeline with her two all-star mounts to qualify for the Zone 2 Hunter Finals.

“It was very up and down showing both horses in the beginning, but toward the middle of the summer we had a lot of success,” Alex said.

Alex Trolli and Del Piero

She said she feels fortunate to have two great mounts underneath her throughout the season, but they always keep her on her toes, as her horses have two completely different personalities.

“Del Piero is a really sweet and quiet horse when I groom him, and I can really trust him,” Alex said.  “I’ve had Del Piero for about a year and half now, and I have gotten to know him pretty well. I would say I know him a little bit better than Hey Sailor. Hey Sailor is a little bit feistier, but when she's on the course, she's phenomenal. I’ve been riding her for about four or five months now. I'm a little bit more confident on Del Piero, but Hey Sailor has been really great.”

Together, Alex and her mounts have been unstoppable in the hunter ring.

“We went to Saugerties in May, June and July, and she did really well there,” trainer Alicia Heberle said. “With her horse, Hey Sailor, they just about won every class in Saugerties out of a field of 40 horses. She started off really well with her. Her other horse, Del Piero, she had last year, so this is her second year with him, and they’ve really found their niche together. They really just get each other."

Alex’s talent in the show ring is proof of her steadfast dedication to the sport. Without the unyielding support of her mentors, however, her success around the course would be even more difficult to reach.

“Alicia Heberle has been to all of my horse shows. We have been on the road a lot over the summer trying to earn points. Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano have definitely helped me a lot along the way, as well,” Alex said. “My parents have been really supportive and are at practically every show. I'm really thankful for all of them.”

After the Zone 2 Hunter Finals, Alex has plans to move up to the next level with her two talented hunter mounts. She hopes to continue her training through a college equestrian program. 

“Showing and training are two things she really enjoys doing,” Heberle said. “She's pretty competitive, too. I think as long as she can handle her nerves at Zone Finals she'll do really well.”

Based out of Buffalo, New York, SBS Farms' Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano run one of the foremost show hunter training operations in the country, and travel nationwide to compete in the nation's 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. Built in 1922, the 160-stall facility is a historical landmark, with its unique English Tudor and Gothic-style architecture. 

Press release courtesy of Phelps Media Group International.

Jersey Boy Jumps to USHJA International Hunter Derby Reserve Championship

Jen and Jersey Boy in their victory gallop.

In 2012, Jennifer Alfano led the victory gallop aboard Jersey Boy when they secured the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship. Liza Boyd followed close behind with Brunello that year, smiling at her friend’s success.

Last year, Boyd had her time in the spotlight, riding Brunello to the victory, and she duplicated that effort for the 2014 USHJA International Hunter Derby title, while Jen captured the reserve championship.

It was the perfect storybook ending for two friends.

After a 12-month qualifying period, the hunter elite were invited to compete for the coveted 2014 title. With more than 150 qualified entrants, the Derby Championship was held August 14-16 in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The top-25 horse-and-rider combinations returned to tackle the Handy Hunter course. The scores from the Classic Hunter Round carried over into the second day of competition, factoring into the overall score for each pair.

Boyd sat in third place after the Classic Round, while Jen and Jersey Boy held seventh. Jersey Boy performed brilliantly with Jen in the irons. They showcased their skill during the Handy Round, shining underneath the Rolex Arena lights and propelling up the standings. In the end, they jumped up the ranks to claim the reserve championship, with only Boyd and Brunello topping their score.

Jen knew that Jersey Boy was ready to take on the challenge of the Handy Hunter course, his forte, when they were in the warm-up ring. 

“He didn’t school well, which is usually a good sign for him,” Jen said of the notoriously quirky Jersey Boy. “Usually, the worse school you have, the better he is in the ring, which is a little hard mentally in the schooling area.”

Sure enough, Jersey Boy was on his game the moment he stepped into Rolex Stadium.

“He was perfect," Jen said. "As soon as I picked up the canter and locked on the first jump, I knew I was really home free. He just gave it his all. He felt phenomenal. I was thrilled with him, and I was thrilled that Liza won. When she went and she was on top I thought, ‘It would be so great if we were first and second.’ And we were.”

Jen also saw great success outside of the Derby field. She rode her own Candid to the reserve championship in the Green Conformation Hunters with second place in the model, and two red ribbons over fences. 

Based out of Buffalo, New York, SBS Farms' Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano run one of the foremost show hunter training operations in the country, and travel nationwide to compete in the nation's 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. Built in 1922, the 160-stall facility is a historical landmark, with its unique English Tudor and Gothic-style architecture. 

Press release courtesy of Phelps Media Group International.