SBS Farms, one of the foremost stables in the nation, made its appearance during the second week of competition at the Devon Horse Show. The New York-based team at SBS Farms, Inc. traveled to Devon, Pennsylvania, competing with their top string of horses. In a brilliant display of talent and finesse, professional hunter rider and trainer Jennifer Alfano earned several top ribbons. Mid-competition, however, Alfano suffered a fall and was unable to complete the rest of the show, so she turned to her friends.
Alfano competed Candid in the Regular Conformation Hunter section, receiving third in the model. In the over fences classes, the pair received two second-placed ribbons. Staying consistent, Alfano rode The Exchange in the First Year Green Hunters to earn four third-placed ribbons.
Mid-competition, Alfano, unfortunately, suffered a fall off of Miss Lucy while riding in the first High Performance Hunter class of the day. Alfano was sent to the hospital, and after several tests, it was reported that she suffered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a fractured knee. While on the mend, her horses were entrusted to some of her closest friends.
Hunt Tosh was first to step in and help out, riding Miss Lucy, owned by Helen Lenahan, in place of Alfano. Tosh catch-rode the chestnut mare to nice ribbons, and even came away with sixth in the High Performance Working Hunter Stake class. Liza Boyd also competed for Alfano, earning ribbons on Maggie May, owned by Billie Steffee, in the High Performance Working Hunter and the fourth on Candid in the Regular Conformation Hunters.
Susie Schoellkopf, of SBS Farms, said, “We want to give a special thank you to Hunt [Tosh] and Liza [Boyd] for stepping in and riding for Jen. SBS Farms would also like to thank Caroline Moran for all of her support, and to Hannah and Abby [Duffy] for taking such great care of the horses. Tom Wright, another great friend to Jen, also stepped in to train and care for the horses. We cannot thank everyone enough for their kind words and support throughout the past few days.”
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 the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.