SBS Farms left their mark in the hunter rings this week at HITS Ocala VIII in Ocala, Florida. Outstanding trips on several horses put Jennifer Alfano in the top ribbons in numerous divisions. The sensational mare Miss Lucy made her return to the show ring for the first time in more than a year, claiming the High Performance Hunter Championship with her long-time partner back in the irons.
Owned by Helen Lenahan and ridden by Alfano, the chestnut mare made light work of her reappearance. She was first, second and third over fences and placed second under saddle. The pair laid down an impressive score of 87 to win the handy class.
Me Again, a Dutch Warmblood also owned by Lenahan, garnered good ribbons in the First Year Green Working Hunter section. The American-bred gelding continued to build on his successes from last year, which included winning the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Genesee Country Village & Museum. Me Again and Alfano picked up the fourth place over fences and won the handy class with a score of 88.
Castle, ridden by Alfano and owned by Sharon O’Neill, was consistent throughout the Pre-Green section, picking up three second-placed finishes over fences and finishing third in the under saddle, to capture the reserve championship.
Alex Trolli and Hey Sailor
Alex Trolli was successful in the Junior 3’3” Hunters with both of her mounts. Hey Sailor was champion of the section, with highlights including a score of an 84 to win an over fences class, and an 80 to capture the win in the handy. In the classic, Trolli entered the second round with an 83 and stayed consistent with a 77 to finish with a total of 160 in second place. She rode her own Del Piero to a fourth place over fences and a total score of 157 in the classic to finish third.
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 please visit www.sbsfarms.com. For more information on the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit visit www.thebtrc.org
Press release courtesy of Phelps Media Group International.