The SBS Farms, Inc., team, led by head trainer Jennifer Alfano, kicked off the first week of Equifest with great results at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois. Horse-and-rider combinations from SBS Farms claimed multiple division wins and placings.
Alfano gave a stellar performance aboard her own mount, Candid, to win the championship title in the competitive High Performance Conformation 3'9" Hunter section. Their impressive rounds earned them multiple blue ribbons in the division to contribute to the tricolor. To add to the impressive victory, Alfano and Candid only recently reunited after her knee injury and subsequent surgeries, which sidelined her since 2016.
"[Candid] felt great," Alfano said. "I thought he was great in each round. This is only my second time showing him since I've been back after being hurt. I felt much better on him this time than I did at the last show. He was great today.
"He has a freaky good jump," Alfano continued on Candid. "It's always the same, whether you're a little deep or a little long. He just always gives you an amazing jump."
Jennifer Alfano and Candid
Girl Crush, owned by Susan Kimberly, was victorious in the Green 3'6" Hunter section with Alfano as well. The pair earned two blue ribbons and a second place in their over fences rounds as well as a first place in the handy round and second place under saddle to claim the championship.
Sweetwater and rider Kathy Chiaf also clinched a championship win in the Amateur-Owner Hunter division, earning top placings in their classes including a first place ribbon in the under saddle.
Chiaf also rode her own Silver Lining to a victory in the Adult Amateur Hunter, 50 and Over, section, winning three out of the five classes within the division and finishing second and third in the remaining two. Silver Lining also grabbed more blue ribbons with Alfano in the Performance 3'6" Hunters and with Chiaf in the Modified Junior/Amateur-Owner 3' Hunter section.
In addition, Alfano rode Sharon O'Neill's Talladega to a blue ribbon and several other high placings in the Green 3'3" Hunter division, while Miss Lucy, also owned by O'Neill, took the reserve championship title in the competitive High Performance Hunter section with Alfano, earning two blue ribbons and one red ribbon.
Alfano also rode Chiaf's Kindred to reserve championship honors in the Green 3' Hunter section, and Crisp, ridden by Emma Walters and owned by the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, earned another reserve championship in the Junior 3'3" Hunter division.
Special thanks to Phelps Media Group, Inc., for the press release.