The 73rd annual Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) came to a close last Sunday, Sept. 15 with outstanding success. The BIHS is held every year at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) to benefit the BTRC's therapeutic riding program. Hunter judges Scott Fitton and Kim Dorfman were in the judges booth this year while Kim Kirton presided over the the jumper divisions.

The week's highlight event was the $5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby on Saturday evening. This year it was Sarah Barge and Coupe Du Monde, owned by Stone Lane Stables, who walked away with the win. The top placing also earned them the Frey Family Trophy awarded to the winner of the National Hunter Derby. Jamie Bates rode Samantha Dispenza's Lacoste to the second place finish. Jenna Drago piloted Irascibull, owned by Susan Seman, to the third place ribbon.

Following the derby, jumpers took center stage. In the S.A Comunale NAL Child/Adult Jumper Classic, Aaron Donnan was fast and clear on After Joe to take home the win, with Alexis Mierzwa and Ever Sinful taking the second place ribbon and the championship. In the S.A. Comunale Low Child/Adult Jumper Classic, Shauna Pingrey rode her Fabrianna DR to the top spot and the champion ribbon, followed by Charity Donnan and her horse Lenny for second place.

Christine Ruh and Stardust shone brightest in the Adult Amateur, 18-35, Hunter division, winning the championship ribbon, while Kelly McElroy piloted Kerry Marble's Ever Mint To Be to the reserve champion. Simply Cool and Julia Barnes were simply the best in the Adult Amateur, 36 and Over, Hunter division to clinch the championship. Reserve champion was awarded to Elizabeth Jacobs and her Selina. Penelope Ayers and Cezanne were champions of the Amateur-Owner 3'3", 36 and Over, Hunter division, securing the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship title. Ayers was also the reserve champion of the Amateur-Owner 3'3", 36 and Over, Hunter division with her mount Turner.

Jenna Drago and Peter Pletcher's Sandrino along with Emma Walters on the BTRC's Crisp tied for the Grand Junior Hunter Champion title. Drago won almost every class of the Junior 3'6" Hunter division to take home the tricolor. Amanda Schurr and Lunatico Kristal B was the reserve champions. Walters also nearly made a clean sweep of the Junior 3'3" Hunters to be awarded champion of their division, while Benjamin Hoban rode his Montenegro to the reserve spot.

Amateurs and Juniors were on display for the $1,000 Up The Creek Junior/Amatuer Owner 3'3"/3'6" Hunter Classic. Walters repeated her stellar performance from earlier in the day to take the win aboard Crisp, while Drago rode Sandrino to the red ribbon. Michelle Gauchat and her Le Diplomate rounded out the top three. The Groom's Class was won by Katie Grindelli with Amanda Schurr's Lunatico Kristal B, while Gabby Steinhardt placed second with Crisp.

In the Children's Hunter, 14 and Under, division, Sydney Steffee piloted Alex Trolli's Del Piero to champion of the division. Alexandra Smith and the BTRC's Hey Sailor earned the reserve championship. In the Pre-Children's 2'6 Hunter division, Linnea Garrison and the BTRC's Copyright were champions while Emma Najdzionek and the BTRC's Abundance took home the reserve ribbon.

In the Pre-Adult 2'6" Hunter division, Stephanie Brennan rode Churchill, owned by the BTRC, to the champion ribbon after winning the classic round. The reserve champion ribbon would be awarded to Joy Moll aboard her Wild Wild Girl. 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.

Linnea Garrison and Adele Krabak were honored with the Peach Taylor Sportsmanship Award. This award is given in memory of Taylor by her grandson, Mason Phelps, Founder and President of Phelps Media Group. The recipient is chosen for his or her dedication to the welfare of horses as well as their kind and caring nature towards peers and teachers.

The 73rd BIHS was dedicated in memory of Hans Mobius and was honored before Saturday evening's competition. Mobius was a rider, trainer, and steward of the equestrian industry. He was a dedicated supporter of the Buffalo Equestrian Center and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center before passing away at the age of 84.

Special thanks goes out to the EMO Agency Inc. and to the Hunting Horn. The EMO Agency Inc was the generous sponsor of all of the champion prizes while Hunting Horn supported the prizes for the reserve champions.

The BIHS is the most prominent fundraiser of the year for the BTRC and is designated a 'Heritage' competition by US Equestrian (USEF), reserved for horse shows in existence for 25 years or more. The BIHS is fortunate to be one of less than 30 horse shows nationwide that holds this illustrious status.

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

Media contact:

Phelps Media Group, Inc.

12012 South Shore Blvd., Suite 201

Wellington, FL 33414

Email: info@phelpsmediagroup.com

Phone: 561-753-3389

Website: www.phelpsmediagroup.com