Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Celebrates 26 Years of Clinics with George Morris

The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) welcomed exhibitors and auditors to its upstate New York facility on Nov. 6-8 for the 26th annual George H. Morris clinic.

This year, Morris taught in a personal setting with three groups of eight riders at varying levels-- intermediate, advanced and jumper. The intermediate group was first to go each day and included riders who were comfortable jumping at the 3' level. The advanced group followed with riders jumping at the 3'3" level. The final group were the jumper riders, who Morris schooled over 3'6" to 4' fences.

The clinic is custom to the BTRC's yearly schedule and is an event that many people ride in and audit each year.

"The clinic has become a tradition," said BTRC Executive Director Susie Schoellkopf. "We've done it for 26 years now. It raises the standard of riding for the area for sure; my barn included. And we get to see a lot of new and old friends that come from all over. It's a great way of getting people together and sharing George's knowledge.

"George gives such a great review of the basics," continued Schoellkopf. "This year we had a lot of area professionals participate, and I think that made it a really good clinic. George is amazing, and it's such a positive event. He has such a great system of teaching for three days."

The former United States chef d'équipe and "founding father of equitation" has taught many clinics over the years including the yearly BTRC clinic, but still aims to teach at the highest standard possible in every clinic he gives. He was especially pleased with this years' BTRC clinic and participating group of riders.

"Susie is an expert at organizing things, and this clinic she's done for years," said Morris. "The clinic was totally full with lots of auditors. Every clinic I give, I don't lower my game. I don't change. Every clinic I give, I give it my all. It was a great clinic and the standard of each level between all of the riders was excellent."

The clinic is also distinguished as part of the USHJA Trainer Certification Program. The program was developed to preserve the American Hunter/Jumper Forward Riding System through comprehensive education programs that will increase levels of certification for professional horse trainers. In order to receive and maintain certification, trainers are tested on a broad spectrum of relevant professional information including training techniques, safety of horse and rider, horsemanship skills and business ethics.

The George Morris clinic at the BTRC, as an addition to the program, offers professional trainers the chance to learn from the best in the business.

"It's a clinic that people who are applying for their trainer certification have to attend all three days of and it's a good stepping stone for their certification," said Schoellkopf. "George is one of the few that can cover all aspects of everything in one clinic."

In addition, all of the BTRC's clinics and events serve as fundraisers for its programs aimed at providing children with special needs the chance to ride and care for horses. Other previous clinicians include: Rodney Jenkins, Melanie Smith Taylor, Beezie Madden and Buck Brannaman.

Schoellkopf and the rest of the BTRC team thanks everyone for their continued support each year of the George Morris clinic and is thrilled to have another successful clinic in the books.
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 SBS Farms, please visit www.sbsfarms.com. For more information on the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.
 

Jen Alfano Celebrates 25 Years at SBS Farms

Professional rider and trainer Jen Alfano celebrated 25 years with SBS Farms during the CP National Horse Show in October. SBS Farms owner Susie Schoellkopf along with clients Billie Steffee, Sharon O'Neill and Helen Lenahan pulled off the surprise of the century with a party that included Jen's family and friends.

Special thanks to Billie for hosting the party and for all of those who joined SBS Farms for the celebration!

We hope you enjoy this gallery of photos of the joyous occasion! 



George Morris Gearing Up to Give 26th Annual Clinic at Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center

Riders at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) are cleaning their boots with extra spit and polish and are making sure all tack is in mint condition as the famed George H. Morris will make his way to the upstate New York facility for his yearly clinic November 6-8.
 
As part of the USHJA Trainer Certification Program, this clinic is one of the most anticipated events for equestrians looking to improve their riding techniques and broaden their knowledge of the sport taught by a true legend.
 
All of the farm's clinics and events serve as fundraisers for its programs aimed at providing children with special needs the chance to ride and care for horses. Past clinicians include Rodney Jenkins, Melanie Smith Taylor and Beezie Madden.

The BTRC welcomes the public to ride in or audit its many clinics.
Often referred to as the "founding father of equitation," Morris will teach in a personal setting with three groups of eight riders at varying levels -- Intermediate, Jumper and Advanced. Riders comfortable jumping 3' will be part of the intermediate group that rides from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. After that, the advanced group will jump 3'3" beginning at 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The final riders in the jumper group will be taught over 3'6" to 4' fences from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 
The cost of the clinic, led by the former United States Chef d'Equipe, is $800 per rider for three days of instruction, and $850 for riders who are partaking in the USHJA Trainer Certification. Each rider is permitted one auditor seat for free.
 
For those people who have always wanted to watch world-class training and instruction by such an esteemed horseman and rider, auditing spaces are $250 per person for all three days or $90 per person each day. If an auditor would like credit for the USHJA Trainer Certification Program, it will cost $300 for three days. Information and application are available here: http://www.thebtrc.org/programs/instructional-clinics/
 
The George Morris Clinic is distinguished as a part of the USHJA Trainer Certification Program. The program was developed to preserve the American Hunter/Jumper Forward Riding System though comprehensive education programs that will increase levels of certification for professional horse trainers. In order to receive and maintain certification, trainers are tested on a broad spectrum of relevant professional information, including training techniques, safety of horse and rider, horsemanship skills and business ethics. The George Morris Clinic at the BTRC is the perfect addition to the program, where professional trainers will learn from the best in the business.
 
Executive Director of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, Susie Schoellkopf, has hosted the George Morris Clinic for more than 25 years. She admires his teachings and his demonstration of getting back to the basics. Schoellkopf strongly believes that it's his teachings that help to raise the standards of training and instruction in the United States.
 
Based out of Buffalo, New York, SBS Farms' Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano run one of the foremost show hunter training operations in the country, and travel nationwide to compete in the nation's 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. Built in 1922, the 160-stall facility is a historical landmark, with its unique English Tudor and Gothic-style architecture. For more information on SBS Farms and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.
 

SBS Shines During Brandywine Summer Series

For the past 25 years, SBS Farms has maintained a consistent presence on the leaderboards of the nation’s top shows, most recently the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, held in Devon, Pennsylvania.

In the Conformation Hunters, two-time WCHR champion Jennifer Alfano piloted Hitchcock, owned by Alanna Flores, to two firsts, two seconds and third place to eventually capture the division championship.

Alfano and Hitchcock came back to win a class in the First Year Green Hunters, placing third twice to round out their scorecard. 

In the Performance 3’6" Hunter division, Alfano returned with two of Flores’ horses, Inside Scoop and Krunch, as well as Arabel Mcfarland’s Bravado.

Alfano and Inside Scoop secured three blue ribbons to sweep the division and earn the championship while Alfano and Krunch placed third and second. She also nabbed the third, fourth and fifth with Bravado.

During the second week of the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, Alex Trolli rode her own Del Piero to first, second and fifth place finishes to earn the Junior Hunter 3'3, 16-17, Reserve Championship.

During the Junior Hunter National Championship’s $2,000 3’3 Junior Hunter Classic, 15 and Under, Carly Hoft rode the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s Hey Sailor to the second place finish in a class of 43, marking a strong start to the young rider’s 2015 Junior Hunter National Championship.

The young rider also placed second in the handy, ending up second overall in the division to earn the Junior 3’3 Hunter 15 and Under Reserve Championship.

SBS Farms, Inc. is currently showing at the Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic. Based out of Buffalo, NY, SBS Farms' Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano run one of the foremost show hunter training operations in the country, and travel nationwide to compete in the nation's 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. Built in 1922, the 160-stall facility is a historical landmark, with its unique English Tudor and Gothic-style architecture.

For more information on SBS Farms please visit www.sbsfarms.com. For more information on the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.