SBS Farms Clinches Top Placings in USHJA International Hunter Derby at Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic

Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy

Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy

SBS Farms Head Trainer Jennifer Alfano made a remarkable comeback at the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, after an injury sidelined her since mid-2016. 

Alfano claimed the top two spots in the competitive USHJA International Hunter Derby — First place with Sharon O’Neill’s Miss Lucy and second with SBS Farms’ Jersey Boy. For Jersey Boy, it was also a triumphant return to the International Hunter Derby arena after being absent from it for two years. Alfano also guided her own Candid to fifth place for an impressive day back in the ring.

"It was really exciting," Alfano said. "I hadn't done a derby in over a year, so it was pretty exciting to be able to do it again and the horse were incredible. Overall it was a great day."

SBS Farms’ performance horses took home numerous championships and placings at the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic as well. Candid came out on top as champion in the Conformation division, Girl Crush took home the championship title in the 3’6” Green Hunters, and Kathy Chiaf’s Kindred was champion in the 3’ Green Hunter section. 

Samantha Hurley’s Silver Icing took numerous ribbons in the Small/Medium Children’s Pony classes with rider Molly Gfroerer and finished the week with championship honors.

Zoe Schaab and Lucky Charm, owned by the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, had an exciting championship win in the Children’s Large Pony division. Emma Walters rode Alex Trolli’s Del Piero to the championship in the Children’s Hunter, 15-17, section, and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s Crisp to the reserve championship. Sydney Steffee and Green Ivy also had several high placings in Children’s classes.

The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s performance horses also took the top two placings in the Low Adult Hunter section, with the championship ribbon for Manolo and rider Stephanie Brennan, and the reserve championship for Rose Hill and Kathryn Crawford. Peron took home a win and several other high placings with rider Christine Ruh.

This same weekend West of the Mississippi River, SBS Farms’ Kathy Chiaf and her own Sweetwater made SBS Farms proud at the Greater Oklahoma Hunter Jumper Horse Show. Chiaf and her mount were not only on the winning Zone 7 Adult Amateur Hunter team, but they also claimed the individual Adult Amateur Hunter gold medal. 

Kathy Chiaf and Sweetwater

Kathy Chiaf and Sweetwater

The Adult Amateur Individual competition saw 12 riders go head-to-head on the final day of competition, with the top-three riders each taking all of the high options to earn extra bonus points.

Chiaf, of Edmond, Oklahoma, earned a total of 390 points aboard her own Sweetwater from the Under Saddle, Derby Course and Handy Course to earn the gold medal.

"It was awesome," said Chiaf of the Championship. "It's just fun getting to do a special competition other than the basic hunter classes and to get to do a handy."

Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Holds Year End Awards Banquet

The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) welcomed students, staff, board members and supporters on November 21 to their annual year-end awards banquet, generously sponsored by Michael Taylor and Taylor Harris Insurance Services.

Attendees gathered for an evening of dinner, crafts, and awards to look back and commemorate a year of tremendous accomplishments for BTRC participants. 

BTRC Executive Director Susie Schoellkopf was thrilled with the evening.

"It was amazing," she said. "We are so thankful to Michael Taylor, our board members and everyone involved who came together to make this a wonderful night for our BTRC participants and for those who support our programs all year long. We cannot do the great work that we do to help our participants without the generous support of so many people and we are incredibly grateful to them."

The BTRC program will resume again on May 1, 2017. In addition to the therapeutic riding program through the summer and fall, BTRC is also looking forward to a number of exciting events in 2017. The BTRC Series Shows will run in May, October and November. On September 13-17, the 71st annual Buffalo International Horse Show will take place, and George H. Morris will return during November 10-12 to conduct his 28th annual clinic at BTRC, an event that is looked forward to by many riders and auditors all year long. All clinics and events serve as fundraisers for the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center including it's programs, horses, and special needs children.

The BTRC supports its programs through horse shows and donations from individuals and businesses. The entire program would not be possible without the many friends and foundations from Buffalo and across the country who make BTRC the success it is. Your tax-deductible contribution could make a world of difference to a specially challenged rider. If you would like to make a donation please click here

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. For more information on SBS Farms and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.