On the final day of the 73rd Buffalo international Horse Show (BIHS) at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTCR), junior, children's and pony riders were in the spotlight as their divisions concluded and champions were named, including the Grand Junior Hunter champion.
Jenna Drago and Sandrino and Emma Walters on Crisp tied for the top prize after winning almost every class in their respective sections.
Drago and Peter Pletcher's Sandrino won the first over fences of the Junior Hunter 3'6" and the under saddle. Their second place finish in the handy round helped them to secure the championship. In the Junior Hunter 3'3", Walters and Crisp won their handy round and under saddle class with a second place finish in the first over fences for the championship.
Sydney Steffen and Del Piero
In the Children's Hunter, 14 and Under, division, Sydney Steffee piloted Alex Trolli's Del Piero to two wins in the over fences, including the classic round, to be named champion of the division. Alexandra Smith and the BTRC's Hey Sailor won the classic round and placed third in the first over fences to earn the reserve champion spot. In the Pre-Children's 2'6 Hunter division, Linnea Garrison and the BTRC's Copyright placed first in one of the over fences and earned a pair of white ribbons in the classic round and under saddle classes, enough to secure the tricolor ribbon.
In the Pre-Adult 2'6" Hunter division, Stephanie Brennan rode the Churchill, owned by the BTRC, to the champion ribbon after winning the classic round, as well as a second place in the over fences and a fourth place in the under saddle. Brennan and Churchill were the victors of the $500 Johnson Horse Transportation Silver Stirrup Classic followed by Sophia Meyer on the BTRC's Campesino IV in second place and Karissa Bosh piloted her Sophisticated to the yellow ribbon.
Stephanie Brennan and Churchill
In the Children's Pony Hunter division, Kaia Morejon rode Kelly McEloy's Varsity Blues to a second place in the under saddle and a first place in the classic round to earn the championship ribbon. The Children's Pony Hunters and the Children's Hunters riders competed against one another for the $500 Say Hey Children's Hunter/Children's Pony Hunter Classic. Sydney Steffee and Del Piero once again topped their competitors to take the win. Steffee also rode the BTRC's Peron to the second position. Morejon aboard Varsity Blues rounded out the top three.
Linnea Garrison and Copyright
The 73rd Buffalo International Horse Show has come to a close but its effects will carry on through the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, the venue of the BIHS and the official charity benefit of the annual horse show to support children with physical and emotional disabilities. We look forward to 2020!
73rd Buffalo International Horse Show Fast Facts:
Event: The 73rd annual Buffalo International Horse Show, benefitting the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center.
What: The prestigious Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) is an AA rated hunter/jumper show and is one of the best ways for exhibitors to prepare themselves and their horses for the fall indoor circuit. The horse show also offers generous prize money in every division and is sanctioned and recognized by US Equestrian (USEF), Syracuse PHA, Ohio PHA and the WPPHA. The BIHS was designated a 'Heritage' competition by US Equestrian, reserved for horse shows in existence for 25 years or more that have promoted and grown equestrian sport and made contributions to the community outside the gates of the horse show by achieving, maintaining and promoting the equestrian ideals of sportsmanship and competition.
Where: Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center
950 Amherst Street, Buffalo, NY 14216
When: Sept. 11-15, 2019
Award sponsors:
EMO Insurance - championship awards
The Hunting Horn - reserve championship awards
Facility: The Buffalo Saddle and Bridle Club was built in 1922 as an indoor polo arena. Today, it is known as the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center and features one of the largest indoor riding arenas in the nation. Located in the heart of metropolitan Buffalo, New York, it is also home to both the Buffalo Equestrian Center and SBS Farms, Inc. The five-acre site includes the indoor 300' x 90' riding arena, stables, paddocks and an outdoor riding ring. The spectacular barn offers permanent stalls for all horse show participants.
Contact:
Buffalo International Horse Show
Email: becandbtrc@aol.com
Phone: 716-877-9295
Website: www.thebtrc.org
Special thanks to Phelps Media Group, Inc. for the press release and Jess Windhurst Photography for the photographs.