In addition to the retirement of SBS Farms, Inc.'s legendary Hunter Derby Champion Jersey Boy, the team produced consistent top results and created lasting memories at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Head trainer Jennifer Alfano had a successful showing in the competitive Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship, where SBS Farms had three qualified horses competing. After the Round 1 of competition, which kicked off on Tuesday, August 15, Alfano sat in third place aboard SBS Farms' Stardust with a score of 262. Alfano and Kathy Chiaf's Kindred also finished among the top 10 after the Round 1 in sixth place with a score of 259.5. Yet it was Alfano and Sharon O'Neill's Talladega who advanced to Thursday's Championship Round and scored a 233 to finish 19th overall.
Jennifer Alfano and Stardust
Next came the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship. In Friday's Classic Round, Alfano took home an impressive sixth place with O'Neill's Miss Lucy, who won the 2016 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship with SBS Farms rider Kristy Herrera. The pair was awarded scores of 88, 85 and 86.8 from the three panels of judges. Combined with the points they collected from choosing all four high-option fences, Alfano and Miss Lucy finished with a total score of 271.8.
Alfano's Candid and Herrera also claimed a high placing in the Classic Round, earning scores of 87, 92 and 88 from the judging panels. The pair took 10th place in the prestigious class after finishing with a score of 267. Herrera also rode Emily Cherney's Kensi to a good finish in the Classic Round, earning a score of 254.6.
Kristy Herrera and Candid
During Saturday evening's Handy Round, and after an emotional start to the championship's grand finale with Jersey Boy's retirement ceremony, Alfano and Miss Lucy received a score of 270.55 to take home ninth place overall with 542.35 points. Herrera took 19th and 20th places with Kensi and Candid, respectively, with final scores of 477.60 and 467.
Miss Lucy showcased her versatility at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, competing with Alfano in the Performance 3'6" Hunter division. Alfano also campaigned Girl Crush, owned by Susan Kimberly, and Chiaf's Silver Lining in the Green 3'6" Hunter division, while Chiaf took her turn in the saddle and secured top results with Silver Lining in the 3'3" Amateur-Owner, 36 and over, Hunter division.
Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy
Other SBS Farms horses and riders competing at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show were Molly Gfroerer and Silver Icing, owned by Samantha Hurley, who produced top results and collected a first place in the Children's Small/Medium Pony Hunter division. Emma Walters and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center's Crisp also received good scores and represented SBS Farms well in the competitive Junior 3'3" Hunter division.
Next, the SBS Farms team will commence their fall competition schedule, which includes the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final September 8-10 at HITS Saugerties, the Buffalo International Horse Show, September 13-17, and the Rolex Central Park Horse Show, September 20-24.
Special thanks to Phelps Media Group, Inc., for the press release.
Jennifer Alfano and Talladega