SBS Farms Racks up Ribbons at HITS Ocala

The team at SBS Farms, Inc., led by head trainer Jennifer Alfano, has experienced a very memorable winter season thus far in Ocala, Florida, collecting top placings and championships at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.

Kicking off the winter competition season during Week 3 of the circuit, several championships were claimed by the SBS Farms performance horses. Owned and ridden by Alfano, Candid was named Conformation Hunter champion after sweeping the over fences portion of the division and winning the model class. Silver Lining, owned and ridden by Kathy Chiaf, earned the Adult Amateur, 56 and Over, Hunter championship, and Talladega, owned by Sharon O’Neill and ridden by Alfano, took home the Green 3’6″ Hunter reserve championship.

O’Neill’s Miss Lucy also marked her return back to the show ring for the 2018 season during Week 3, earning second place in the Hi-Low 3’3″ Hunter class in addition to finishing well in the competitive $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.

Molly Gfroerer and Blue's Traveler

Blue’s Traveler, owned and ridden by 10-year-old Molly Gfroerer, impressed the judges during Week 4 to earn the championship in the Children’s Small/Medium Pony Hunter division. The pair stayed consistent in their winning ways to claim the 11 and Under Equitation reserve championship the same week.

Candid and Alfano also continued their streak during Week 4, once again sweeping the over fences competition to win the High Performance Conformation Hunter championship. In addition, 17-year-old Emma Walters and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s Crisp claimed the Equithrive 3'3" Large Junior, 16–17, Hunter reserve championship. The pair also won the $1,000 Equithrive Junior 3’3″ Hunter Classic, while Walters finished in second with Alex Trolli’s Del Piero.

Alfano also took home the Week 4 Adequan Hunter reserve championship aboard Silver Lining and Chiaf won the Ariat National Adult Medal with her own Sweetwater.

Week 5 held more exciting results for the SBS Farms team as Gfroerer rode Blue’s Traveler to three blue ribbons and a second place in the 11 and Under Equitation division for the championship. The pair also secured a first and two second-placed ribbons in the competitive Post Time Children's Hunter division, while Abby Strohmeyer and SBS Farms’ Stardust and Alfano and Silver Lining were reserve champions in the Adult Amateur, 18–35, Hunters and the Adequan Hunter divisions, respectively.

The sixth week of competition at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit brought continued success for the SBS Farms team as Gfroerer and Blue’s Traveler claimed the reserve championship in the 11 and Under Equitation division. The talented pair once again also took home top placings in the Children’s Small/Medium Pony Hunter division and pinned second in the $500 Marshall and Sterling Children's Pony Hunter Classic.

Alfano and Candid took the reserve tricolor in the competitive Conformation Hunter division. Alfano masterfully displayed the Holsteiner gelding’s rideability in their winning handy round, while also finishing in second place over fences, under saddle and in the model.

Emma Walters and Crisp

Alfano rode another mount, Kindred, owned by Chiaf, to wins over fences and in the under saddle in the Green 3’3″ Hunter division, while Fortune, owned by Gfroerer, also scored top results with Alfano in the Green 3′ Hunter division. Gfroerer, who just started transitioning from ponies to horses in September 2017, later rode Fortune to a first place over fences and second place in the under saddle in the Post Time Children's Hunter division.

The Modified Junior Hunters saw Crisp and Walters walk away with the championship ribbon during Week 6. Walters also rode Del Piero to a fifth place over fences in the division.

In the Antares Junior 3’6″ Hunters, 16-year-old Brian Moggre and Over The Top Stables LLC’s The Exchange finished as champions in Section B of the division after winning two over fences rounds and securing a second place over fences and in the handy round.

Week 7 saw similar outcomes as Gfroerer and Blue’s Traveler once again picked up the championship ribbon, but this time it was in the 13 and Under Equitation division. They also earned top ribbons in the Children’s Small/Medium Pony Hunter division.

Walters and Crisp proved themselves yet again by nabbing the tricolor in the Equithrive Large Junior 3’3″ Hunter division during Week 8. They were first in the under saddle class as well as in the $1,000 Equithrive Junior 3’3″ Hunter Classic, and also scored a blue ribbon over fences.

Alfano guided Kindred to a hack win in the Green 3’3″ Hunter division and also rode Talladega to top placings in the Green 3’6″ Hunter division, which included a third place over fences and a fifth place under saddle.

Alfano also piloted Silver Lining to a first and second place over fences in the Adequan Hunter division before owner Chiaf took over the reins and rode to top results in the 3'3" Amateur-Owner, 36 and Over, Hunter division, collecting a third in the handy round and a second place over fences.

Strohmeyer excelled with Stardust in the Adult Amateur, 18–35, Hunter division to close out the eighth week of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit and the final week of competition for the team at SBS Farms.

Next, SBS Farms will be traveling to the Lone Star State for the 73rd annual Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, March 21–April 8 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas.

SBS Farms, Inc. continues the proud tradition of the Buffalo Saddle and Bridle Club as one of the top show stables in the Northeast. Located in Buffalo, New York, Susan Schoellkopf is 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.

Special thanks to Phelps Media Group for the press release. 

Leadership vs. Dictatorship in the USHJA

I attended the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) convention in December and I came away with one major question: is our membership under a strong leadership or is our membership under a strong dictatorship?

I have volunteered for this organization for more years than I can count — when it was the AHSA, USEF and now the affiliate, USHJA. I feel that we have lost our strength in the hunter community when we lost our committees. As we move forward, we have to continuously look at our history. We used to have standing committees full of respected and knowledgeable people who gave so much time to our sport. If the Equitation Committee came up with an idea, we all respected their knowledge and expertise — the same with the Junior Hunter Committee and Pony and Jumper Committees. However, when changes were made to the bylaws, a lot of these committees were taken away.

Susie Schoellkopf

Now, when committees vote on things or put rule changes forward, it goes to either the Hunter or Jumper Working Groups where it gets voted on and then sent to the board of directors. Whereas before, any proposals made by a committee would automatically move forward as a rule change.

The communication was so much stronger before we had the Hunter and Jumper Working Groups. Those of us regularly showing, training or working out in the field have lost our confidence in the leadership of our organizations.

Getting people together and trying to come up with healthy ideas that mean something are long gone. The norm now is if you disagree with the leadership, you are removed from a committee. In the past, many of the committees I served on were full of healthy disagreements, discussions and respect for our fellow committee members. In the end, we seemed to always come up with the right solution and do what was best for our riders, owners and horses.

Our committees need people who have been leaders for a long time as well as those who are new to committee life and want to learn the way. Yet, committee members have resigned because they go to the convention, vote on changes and find out that those rules did not get through the layers of “yes” votes. The layers are the Hunter and Jumper Working Groups, the board of directors and the president. People are walking away from these committees and not going to the convention anymore because they’re so discouraged, and we’re losing really, really good people.

In 2013, I was head of the Hunter Committee, which was filled with top hunter professionals, and Joey Darby brought me an idea for a concept where professionals could show, win money and compete in a national championship. This concept became the Pre-Green Incentive Program (now the Green Hunter Incentive Program). We invested in this program as a committee with our time and financial backing. Colleen McQuay, who had experience implementing a similar concept in the reining world and was successful in starting four $1 million programs, was chosen to help lead our group. We would not have been able to start this program without her expertise.

After putting this great program in place, the USHJA powers to be came up with another program called the Pre-Green Stake that directly conflicted with the incentive program. The Pre-Green Stake was voted down by each committee as well as the Hunter Working Group and low and behold it was passed at the board level. That is not listening to the people and to the members.

Scott Stewart and Playbook receiving their awards during the 2017 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship.

Colleen has fought tooth and nail to keep the Pre-Green Incentive Program moving forward and I for one would like to thank her for her hard work and dedication. Currently in 2018, with the installment of the 3’6” and 3’9” incentive, enrollment is up and over the total number of horses enrolled in 2017. It is clear that it is a program that owners want.

Another recent example was a proposed secured stabling concept for the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship. The concept was expensive and unnecessary, and was opposed by all of the committees and the Hunter Working Group, but, yet again, it was passed. If we, the committee members, who are out in the trenches week after week actively participating at the top of the sport, say we don’t want something and it’s turned down by every committee, including the Hunter Working Group, how does it then go to the board and get approved?

These are only two examples that come to mind of rule change proposals conceived by committees that were ultimately voted down through our organization’s many layers. However, they are only a small percentage of many reasons why people have decided to walk away from both organizations (USHJA and USEF) in recent years.

I believe the USHJA needs to bring back the committees and abolish the Hunter and Jumper Working Groups. They’re just another layer. Then, if I’m the head of the Hunter Committee, I’ll state my proposal to the board, explain why we’re doing it and the reason and then they’ll get to ask questions before making a decision. We just need to simplify the process, it’s gotten way too complicated. It’s layer after layer after layer.

The International Hunter Derby and Green Hunter Incentive Committee, under the leadership of Ron Danta, is one of the hardest working committees I have ever been on but it has been an uphill battle. The concepts that Colleen and Ron have put forward were never fully explained to the board or Hunter Working Group, thus their ideas were halted, changed or ignored. The board must ask questions and represent the members by understanding the concepts.

Apathy has won. People are walking away and shaking their heads because their voice is not heard. We are supposed to be a team that is led by people who have the knowledge and experience to know what works and what does not work. Board members should take on their jobs because they want to help steer the ship in the best interest of our equines and membership. They must listen to the membership and work together, not stay on the board because they like the position and are going to constantly say yes to the president no matter what they are told. Presidents are supposed to listen to the people who agree with them AND the people who disagree with them. We need to get back on track and we need to work together to make our sport stronger.

From the show ring to the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC), Susie Schoellkopf has committed her life to serving the equestrian community. Schoellkopf has served as the executive director of the BTRC since 1990 in addition to being a dedicated US Equestrian (USEF) and USHJA board and committee member. Owner of SBS Farms, Inc. alongside head trainer Jennifer Alfano, based in Buffalo, New York, Schoellkopf is a sought-after R-rated judge and has presided over some of the most prestigious horse shows in the country. She’s trained multiple horses to national championships and is best known as the owner of Jersey Boy, the three-time US Equestrian Horse of the Year (2009–2011) and winner of the 2012 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship. In 2014, Schoellkopf was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame.

Special thanks to Phelps Sports for publishing the original column.

Candid and Jennifer Alfano Continue Winning Ways at World Equestrian Center Invitational

Fresh off his championship in the High Performance Conformation Hunter division just one week ago at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Candid, owned and shown by SBS Farms, Inc. head trainer Jennifer Alfano, traveled to the World Equestrian Center Invitational in Ohio. There, he added another championship win to his name in the Conformation 3'6"/3'9" Hunter section.

Alfano and the 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding, also known as "Sheldon" in the barn, clinched the tricolor after securing five blue ribbons and finishing in fourth place in the handy.

Five years ago Alfano purchased Candid for the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program. She saw a horse with the capacity to climb the ranks and become one of the industry's best. Together the pair have exceeded all expectations as he journeys up the hunter pipeline.

"Jennifer and Candid are a great team; it's so nice," said SBS Farms owner Susie Schoellkopf. "She has done all of the work on him and has brought him along from Pre-Green to now. I don't think there are many professionals who have done that, so it's a feather in her cap."

Alfano also rode Sharon O'Neill's Talladega and Susan Kimberly's Girl Crush to reserve championship wins in the Green 3'3" Hunter division and Performance 3'3" Hunter division, respectively.

O'Neill's Miss Lucy returned to the show ring in top form with Alfano once again as well, claiming two blue ribbons in the over fences and handy rounds of the High Performance Hunter division.

Next, Schoellkopf will be heading to Lexington, Kentucky, to judge the National Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park October 31-November 5, one of the most highly anticipated indoor horse shows of the year.

In addition, SBS Farms will be gearing up for the 28th annual George Morris clinic at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center November 10-12 while also preparing for the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.

Special thanks to Phelps Media Group, Inc. for the press release. 

Candid Crowned Champion with Jennifer Alfano at Pennsylvania National Horse Show

Jennifer Alfano, head trainer of SBS Farms, Inc. based in Buffalo, New York, returned to her hometown of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, during senior week, October 16-21, at the prestigious Pennsylvania National Horse Show. There, she and her own Candid claimed the championship title in the High Performance Conformation Hunter section.

Alfano and "Sheldon" collected blue ribbons in two of the three over fences classes with scores of 88 and 90, and took second place in the other. The pair won the handy with a score of 89 and grabbed fourth-placed honors in the under saddle portion of competition as well as second place in the model class, earning them enough points to capture the tricolor ribbon.

"[Candid] was so good; I'm so excited," said Alfano. "I was a little nervous. Kristy [Herrera] has still been showing him quite a bit because I love watching her ride him. I've actually only shown him twice this summer, and I got nervous about it. Because he's my own horse, it makes it more special, but I also get nervous because he is my own. He was so, so good. It's always fun to come home. He loves it here."

In 2014, Alfano and the 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding also won the Green Conformation Hunter division championship as well as the Grand Hunter Championship title at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

Additional SBS Farms horses secured multiple top placings throughout the Pennsylvania National Horse Show with Alfano in the irons, including: Kindred, owned by Kathy Chiaf, in the Green 3' Hunter division; Talladega, owned by Sharon O'Neill, in the Green 3'3" Hunter division; and Girl Crush, owned by Susan Kimberly, in the Green 3'6" Hunter division.

Alfano and Chiaf's Kindred also claimed a top-10 finish in the competitive USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Stake, earning a score of 84.

The conclusion of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show marks the end of the 2017 competition season for SBS Farms. The team would like to thank all of its amazing clients, owners, sponsors, grooms and staff who have helped make 2017 a huge success!

Next, Susan Schoellkopf, owner of SBS Farms, will be heading to Lexington, Kentucky, to judge the National Horse Show held at the Kentucky Horse Park October 31-November 5, one of the most highly anticipated indoor horse shows of the year.

In addition, SBS Farms will be gearing up to attend the 28th annual George Morris clinic at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center November 10-12 while also preparing for the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.

Special thanks to Phelps Media Group Inc. for the press release.

Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy Take on the Big Apple in Top Form at Rolex Central Park Horse Show

In 2015, SBS Farms, Inc.'s Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy made history at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show by claiming the inaugural $50,000 Duchossois Cup, presented by the Gochman family and held in memory of Bruce Duchossois.

After spending most of 2016 recovering from a knee injury and only just making a comeback to the show ring earlier this year, Alfano returned to the iconic Wollman Rink once again with the talented 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, owned by Sharon O'Neill. The pair captured second-placed honors in the U.S. Open $50,000 Duchossois Cup, presented by the Gochman family and Dr. Betsee Parker, on Saturday, September 23, at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show.

Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy

Thirteen riders competed over Bobby Murphy's first-round course, while the top 12 combinations were invited back for a second round.

Coming off of their ninth-placed finish in this year's USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship in August, Alfano and Miss Lucy were the final pair to enter the ring in the first round and impressed the panel of judges to earn the high score of 88 to take the lead. The pair executed another lovely performance in round two, scoring 88 once again for 176 points. In the end, half a point separated Alfano and Miss Lucy from the blue ribbon, which went to Liza Boyd and O'Ryan. Hunt Tosh and Patriot rounded out the top three.

"Miss Lucy was great," said Alfano. "She loves it here. She loves this kind of atmosphere. We've been together for a long time, so I'm comfortable on her and I thought she was great. The course rode really well and you got to see good horses go really well."

SBS Farms' Kristy Herrera, who rode Miss Lucy to the 2016 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship while Alfano was recovering from her knee injury, also competed in the Duchossois Cup. Herrera rode Emily Cherney's Kensi also to ninth place overall with a score of 158.

"It was nice because Jennifer and Liza are such close friends, and they were both cheering for each other," said SBS Farms owner Susan Schoellkopf. "Jennifer and Miss Lucy have been at the top of their game for a long time, and it's nice to see them back together. We're excited to see what's to come for them next year as well as continuing to develop our babies and creating our next group of champions."

"Having her back in the ring is great," said Boyd of Alfano. "She’s competitive, and I’m competitive--and so is (third-placed) Hunt. So we bring out that competitive nature among us all, and that makes us perform better. At the same time, we help each other, walk the courses together and bounce ideas off one another as to how the lines are riding. I went right before she did in the second round, so I wasn't able to watch her go. But I thought, 'If I’m first or second, it was a victory for us either way.'"

The SBS Farms team will continue on with their fall competition schedule, which includes the Capital Challenge Horse Show, Sept. 29-Oct. 8 and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Oct. 12-21.

Special thanks to Phelps Media Group for the press release.

Jennifer Alfano and Stardust Capture $5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby at BIHS

Jennifer Alfano and Stardust topped the $5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby. The class was a featured event of the 71st annual Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS), September 13-17 in Buffalo, New York.

Hunter derby competition kicked off on Saturday evening, where SBS Farms, Inc.'s own Alfano and Stardust claimed the victory. Alfano continued to impress the judges to take home second place in the class with Kathy Chiaf's Silver Lining, while Jennifer Gurney rode her own Gianni to a third-placed finish.

Emma Kurtz and Rebekah Warren's Enticement took home the blue in the $1,000 Up The Creek Farm Junior 3'3"/3'6" Hunter Classic earlier in the day on Saturday. Emma Walters and Crisp, owned by the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC), finished in second place and Jenna Drago and Peter Pletcher's Sandriano finished third in the class.

The competitive Junior 3'3" Hunter division also kicked off on Saturday with Walters claiming first place with Alex Trolli's Del Piero and second place with Crisp in the first over fences class. The talented young rider stayed consistent in the second round of over fences competition, taking home the blue with Crisp and second place with Del Piero, setting herself up nicely to earn the championship with either of her two mounts on Sunday.

In the $500 "Shogun" Adult Amateur Hunter Classic, Clare Karlovec and her own Milord Du Valon came away with the win. Nora Frisch and Kaitlyn Kurtz's Palm Beach finished just behind the pair in second place, and Stephanie Brennan on the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center's Manolo rounded out the top three.

In the jumper ring, Jessica Mundie rode her own Camalii to a win in the $2,500 S.A. Comunale NAL Children's/Adult 1.15m Jumper Classic. Aaron Donnan rode Charity Donnan's Real Super Quick into second place, and Emma Seving took third place with her own Quidam's Zeus Z.

Jessica Mundie and Camalii

Donnan also rode Charity Donnan's After Joe into first place in the $1,500 S.A. Comunale Low Children's/Adult 1.0m Jumper Classic. Shauna Pingrey and her own Fabrianna DR finished in second place, and Sherri Terhaar and her own Dukato finished in third place. For his consistent top performances over the course of Friday and Saturday, Donnan was awarded the championship in the Children's/Adult 1.0m-1.15m Jumper division at the BIHS with Real Super Quick on Saturday. Reserve champion honors went to Jessica Mundie and Camalii.

Other champions crowned on Saturday included Clare Karlovec and Milord Du Valon in the Adult Amateur, 18-35, Hunter division, Christine Steer and Marvelous in the Adult Amateur, 36 and Over, Hunter division and Santa Maspane and Kennedy in the Low 3' Hunter division.

The BIHS is the most prominent fundraiser of the year for the BTRC.

The BIHS is an AA rated hunter/jumper show and offers excellent preparation for horses and riders who will be competing at indoor finals this fall as the facility features one of the largest indoor riding arenas in the nation. Whether you attend this year's BIHS as preparation for the fall indoor circuit and zone finals or to cheer on your friends and family, the BTRC welcomes you to their home and wishes all exhibitors a fun and successful show!

For more information regarding the BIHS and BTRC, please click here.

Buffalo International Horse Show Dedicated in Memory of Dr. John Steele

The 71st installment of the Buffalo International Horse Show returns to Buffalo, New York, Sept. 13-17, at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. This year's event will be dedicated in memory of the late John R. Steele, DVM.

Dr. John R. Steele

The international sport horse community lost one of its legends earlier this year with the passing of Dr. Steele. "Doc" as he was lovingly known by many, was a pioneer in sport horse medicine and had a distinguished career as an equine veterinarian. Dr. Steele passed away on Feb. 24 at 91 years old.

"Doc has been such an intricate and positive part of SBS Farms and the BTRC for over 40 years," said Susie Schoellkopf, executive director of the BTRC. "The horses came first. He always reverted back to the remedies he learned from great vets and trainers from his Standardbred days. Rest and long-time therapy came first. He was not a believer in quick fixes. He taught us all to be better horsemen."

Dr. Steele defied his age by continuing to treat horses until the week before his passing. His work ethic was second to none, and he is recognized around the world for deeply understanding the "whole horse."

In appreciation for this year's BIHS exhibitors, the event is offering the following exciting incentives:

• Baby Green Hunters will have no entry fee. Bring your young ones to the BIHS for their first show experience!
• Junior riders will earn a $25 credit for attending a horsemanship class on Sunday morning!
• Trainers who bring five showing horses will receive one free stall; bring 10 or more and get two stalls free!
• All showing horses will be included in a drawing for free entries and one free stall on Saturday night (US Equestrian Federation fees not included)!

The BIHS is a premier rated Hunter/Jumper show and offers excellent preparation for horses and riders who will be competing at the indoor finals this fall as the facility features one of the largest indoor riding arenas in the nation. Submit your entries today!

For more information regarding the 71st annual Buffalo International Horse Show and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please click here.

71st Buffalo International Horse Show Fast Facts:

EVENT: The 71st annual Buffalo International Horse Show, which benefits the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center.

WHAT: The prestigious Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) is a 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, Syracuse PHA, Ohio PHA and the WPPHA. The BIHS is 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. 13-17, 2017

HIGHLIGHTS:

Thursday, Sept. 14:
$1,500 USHJA 3' and 3'3" Green Incentive
$1,000 Ravenswood Grooms Class

Friday, Sept. 15:
$1,000 "The Full Monty" Amateur-Owner 3'6" Hunter Classic
$1,000 Up The Creek Amateur-Owner 3'3" Hunter Classic

Saturday, Sept. 16:
$500 "Shogun" Adult Amateur Hunter Classic
$1,000 "Scribbles" Pony Hunter Classic
$1,000 Up The Creek Junior 3'6" Hunter Classic
$1,000 Up The Creek Junior 3'3" Hunter Classic
$5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby
$2,500 S. A. Comunale NAL Children's/Adult Jumper Classic
$1,500 S. A. Comunale Low Children's/Adult Jumper Classic

Sunday, Sept. 17:
$500 Children's Pony Hunter Classic
$500 "Say Hey" Children's Hunter Classic
$500 Johnson Horse Transportation Silver Stirrup Classic

AWARD SPONSORS:
EMO Insurance - Championship Awards

The Hunting Horn - Reserve Championship Awards

ADMISSION: Admission to the horse show is FREE, with the exception of Friday and Saturday evenings after 5 p.m. Admission will be $5 per person and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center.

PARKING: Parking is available on Amherst Street or behind the property on Great Arrow Drive. On the weekends, parking is available in the Tapestry Charter School parking lot.

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 now the home of the Buffalo Equestrian Center and SBS Farms, Inc. The five-acre site includes the indoor 120 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. International

Address: 12012 South Shore Blvd. Suite 201, Wellington, FL 33414

Email: info@phelpsmediagroup.com

Phone: 561-753-3389

Website: www.phelpsmediagroup.com

SBS Farms Leaves Lasting Impression at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show

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

SBS Farms, Inc. Retires Legendary Jersey Boy

SBS Farms, Inc. announced on August 9 that their legendary Hunter Derby champion and Performance Hunter, Jersey Boy, was officially retiring at the 2017 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship on Saturday, August 19. SBS Farms owner Susan Schoellkopf and rider and trainer Jennifer Alfano made the decision to conclude 15-year-old Jersey Boy's competitive career with heavy hearts due to a recently diagnosed tendon injury.

"I'm sad, obviously," said Alfano after Saturday's retirement ceremony. "This was a great place to do this for him - it was very fitting. He has been a big part of my life for a long time. [Our career together] meant everything. He's a horse of a lifetime. He will do things that no other horse will ever do for me. Our lives will not be the same without him."

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy

"I don't think there is ever going to be another pair like [Jennifer and Jersey Boy]," said Schoellkopf. "To me, they've really created the derbies. They were always a pair to be reckoned with no matter where they were. The harder it was, the better they were."

The once-in-a-lifetime horse for Schoellkopf and Alfano in the form of a chestnut Hanoverian gelding by White Star is fondly known around the barn as "Lewis."

Jersey Boy, who's been described as the "quintessential derby horse," and Alfano collected innumerable victories in the show ring together, the largest of those winning the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship in 2012. The famous pair also claimed the reserve championship in the prestigious competition in 2009 and 2014. In addition, the hunter derby superstar still firmly stands atop the USHJA lifetime money-won leaderboard and has won the George H. Morris Perpetual Trophy four times as the highest money earner.

We bought [Jersey Boy] as a 4-year-old," said Schoellkopf. "We tried him at Saugerties for the first time, and I said to Jennifer, 'He looks like a cute horse; he'll probably make somebody a nice horse.' We had no idea that he would become the athlete he is today. Jennifer created him. We showed him in the jumpers for a while and then decided to do the hunters and the rest is history.

"He's such a powerful jumper and could do all of the turns faster and harder than anybody," continued Schoellkopf. "He's a very quirky horse, and with somebody else, he wouldn't be the horse that he is now. When he would be quirky, Jennifer would just ignore it. Not many riders would have done that. When Jennifer took chances, they would win. It didn't matter how big the course was or how hard it was. They always rose to the occasion. I don't think we will see a connection like theirs again for a long time."

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy 

Jersey Boy turned out to be the unlikely "golden boy" in the hunter arena, racking up tricolor ribbons in the Performance Hunter divisions as well as in the derbies. Bringing Alfano along for the ride of a lifetime, Jersey Boy first started his derby winning streak in 2008, where he won the International Hunter Derby at the Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic Horse Show.

The gelding has a total of 31 class wins under his belt, as well as other high honors including being named USEF High Performance Horse of the Year in 2012 and 2013 and Hunter Horse of the Year in 2012 by the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame. In addition, he was named the 2012 US Equestrian's National Horse of the Year and was selected to showcase the power and beauty of Hunters at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky with Alfano.

Jersey Boy's abundantly successful career has taken him and the SBS Farms team to numerous prestigious horse shows across the country, earning countless championships and derby victories at the Devon Horse Show, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, the Washington International Horse Show, the National Horse Show and the Capital Challenge, to name a few. Before his injury, Jersey Boy and Alfano were qualified to compete in this year's championship for the eighth time.

Prior to Saturday's Handy round of the 2017 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, Jersey Boy was honored and recognized for his incredible athleticism, talent and success as one of the best International Hunter Derby horses in a special retirement ceremony held during the opening ceremonies at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Jersey Boy enjoying the ceremony.

Next, Jersey Boy will enjoy his well-deserved retirement at Stacy Sandbothe's farm in Prospect, Tennessee.

"Jennifer and I would like to thank Lewis for taking us on this amazing journey and for giving us both a horse of a lifetime," said Schoellkopf. "Without Jennifer, he would not have had the fantastic career he has had with so many wins that are too numerous to list. They were a team that will go down in hunter and derby history. He is a character that his caregivers will never forget! Life without Lewis will be very hard but the memories will last forever."

Special thanks to Phelps Media Group, Inc., for the press release.

SBS Farms, Inc.'s Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy Win $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Equifest II

The SBS Farms, Inc., team has been racking up ribbons and championships throughout the second week of competition at the Chicago Festival of the Horse at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. On Sunday, August 6, SBS Farms head trainer Jennifer Alfano rode Sharon O'Neill's Miss Lucy to an exciting win to close out Equifest II in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

After two rounds that impressed both panels of judges, Alfano and Miss Lucy finished first in the large class with a final combined score of 388.5.

"She was great today," Alfano said of Miss Lucy. "She jumped amazing like she always does. I was really happy with her. She just has an amazing jump and she's so powerful. There's nothing that she doesn't handle well."

In the first round, the pair received scores of 86 and 92 from the two judging panels. Combined with an additional eight points for taking all of the higher options on course, Alfano and Miss Lucy were awarded a total score of 186 to win the Classic Round.

Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy

Returning for the Handy Round, the pair were given a score of 85.5 from one judging panel and a score of 93 from the other. After adding the additional eight points for higher options as well as a handy bonus of 16 points, Alfano and Miss Lucy's handy round score totaled to 202.5. Their high combined score of 388.5 secured their place in the winner's circle.

"It was a large class, and it felt really good [to win]," Alfano explained. "I've been out for a while with an injury, so I'm really just starting back up again. I was really happy that she went so well today."

Miss Lucy was not the only SBS Farms performance horse to take home a big win during the week. Candid, owned and ridden by Alfano, secured the championship title in the competitive High Performance Conformation 3'9" Hunter section.

Emma Walters and Crisp

Kathy Chiaf rode her own Silver Lining to a championship title as well, taking home the tricolor in the Amateur-Owner 3'3" Hunter division. Emma Walters, aboard the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center's Crisp, was also champion in the Junior 3'3" Combined Hunter division.

Alfano took home a reserve championship ribbon in the Green 3'6" Hunter division riding Susan Kimberly's Girl Crush. She also rode O'Neill's Talladega to several great finishes in addition to claiming the reserve championship in the Green 3'3" Hunter division and second in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program class on Thursday.

Emma Walters and Crisp

Next, the SBS Farms team will head to Lexington, Kentucky, to compete at the 2017 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship at the Kentucky Horse Park, August 17-19.

Special thanks to Phelps Media Group, Inc., for the press release.

Mark Your Calendars For The 71st Annual Buffalo International Horse Show

The 71st annual Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) returns to the Buffalo Equestrian Center, home to SBS Farms, Inc. and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC), Sept. 13-17!

The BIHS is held each year as a benefit for the BTRC and is a United States Equestrian Federation Heritage competition. This special designation is 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. The BIHS is fortunate to be one of just 24 horse shows nationwide that holds this illustrious status.

This year's event is dedicated in memory of Dr. John Steele and features the following exciting incentives:

• Baby Green Hunters will have no entry fee. Bring your young ones to the BIHS for their first show experience.
• Junior riders will earn a $25 credit for attending a horsemanship class on Sunday morning.
• Trainers who bring five showing horses will receive one free stall; bring 10 or more and receive two stalls free.
• All showing horses will be included in a drawing for free entries and one free stall on Saturday night (USEF fees not included).

SBS Farms and the BTRC hope to see you at the 2017 BIHS!

For more information regarding the 71st annual Buffalo International Horse Show and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please click here.

SBS Farms, Inc. Claims Division Wins and Top Placings at Equifest I

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.

SBS Farms Clinches Top Placings in USHJA International Hunter Derby at Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic

Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy

SBS Farms Head Trainer Jennifer Alfano made a remarkable comeback at the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, after an injury sidelined her since mid-2016. 

Alfano claimed the top two spots in the competitive USHJA International Hunter Derby — First place with Sharon O’Neill’s Miss Lucy and second with SBS Farms’ Jersey Boy. For Jersey Boy, it was also a triumphant return to the International Hunter Derby arena after being absent from it for two years. Alfano also guided her own Candid to fifth place for an impressive day back in the ring.

"It was really exciting," Alfano said. "I hadn't done a derby in over a year, so it was pretty exciting to be able to do it again and the horse were incredible. Overall it was a great day."

SBS Farms’ performance horses took home numerous championships and placings at the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic as well. Candid came out on top as champion in the Conformation division, Girl Crush took home the championship title in the 3’6” Green Hunters, and Kathy Chiaf’s Kindred was champion in the 3’ Green Hunter section. 

Samantha Hurley’s Silver Icing took numerous ribbons in the Small/Medium Children’s Pony classes with rider Molly Gfroerer and finished the week with championship honors.

Zoe Schaab and Lucky Charm, owned by the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, had an exciting championship win in the Children’s Large Pony division. Emma Walters rode Alex Trolli’s Del Piero to the championship in the Children’s Hunter, 15-17, section, and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s Crisp to the reserve championship. Sydney Steffee and Green Ivy also had several high placings in Children’s classes.

The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s performance horses also took the top two placings in the Low Adult Hunter section, with the championship ribbon for Manolo and rider Stephanie Brennan, and the reserve championship for Rose Hill and Kathryn Crawford. Peron took home a win and several other high placings with rider Christine Ruh.

This same weekend West of the Mississippi River, SBS Farms’ Kathy Chiaf and her own Sweetwater made SBS Farms proud at the Greater Oklahoma Hunter Jumper Horse Show. Chiaf and her mount were not only on the winning Zone 7 Adult Amateur Hunter team, but they also claimed the individual Adult Amateur Hunter gold medal. 

Kathy Chiaf and Sweetwater

The Adult Amateur Individual competition saw 12 riders go head-to-head on the final day of competition, with the top-three riders each taking all of the high options to earn extra bonus points.

Chiaf, of Edmond, Oklahoma, earned a total of 390 points aboard her own Sweetwater from the Under Saddle, Derby Course and Handy Course to earn the gold medal.

"It was awesome," said Chiaf of the Championship. "It's just fun getting to do a special competition other than the basic hunter classes and to get to do a handy."

Dedicated Horsewoman and Philanthropist Helen Lenahan Leaves a Lasting Legacy

Helen Dent Lenahan, a passionate, life-long horsewoman and philanthropist, passed away on May 19, 2017 at the age of 91. Lenahan was the dedicated horse owner of many successful performance horses, including several SBS Farms’ hunters and jumpers, after being a rider herself for many years prior.
 
Lenahan owned more than 100 horses and ponies throughout her equestrian career, showing them herself or supporting the competitive aspirations of other riders. She received several high honors in the equestrian industry, including induction into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame in Old Salem in 2000.
 
She was presented with the Mrs. A.C. Randolph Owner’s Legacy Award from the United States Hunter Jumper Association in Lexington, Kentucky in 2011, and the Welles Family Award at the 2016 CP National Horse Show for being “a special individual who has made an exceptional commitment and contribution to the equestrian sport and industry.” 
 
“I don’t know that there are many people who have been given those three honors in their lifetime,” said Susie Schoellkopf, owner of SBS Farms. “Helen had an amazing background, and she was such a great horsewoman.”

Schoellkopf enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with Lenahan, growing up with her daughter Susie and spending time riding and showing horses together over the years. 
 
Earlier in her career, Lenahan enjoyed racking up ribbons aboard her three-gaited and five-gaited American Saddlebred horses at National Horse Shows — she also rode to great success in side-saddle classes along with her good friend Sharon O’Neill. 

Together, Lenahan and O’Neill won high honors in the side-saddle division at prestigious venues such as the Washington International Horse Show and the National Horse Show. Most recently, Lenahan had taken up driving competitions with Welsh ponies in championships across North America.
 
“Helen was very smart,” Schoellkopf said. “She knew good horses, she knew what a nice hunter was and she was competitive.”

Lenahan’s niche for identifying and developing the finest show horses was indisputable. Several of her top horses, Logically, Roses Are Red and Gabriel, have been awarded United States Equestrian Federation National Horse of the Year titles. 
 
Lenahan was the owner of SBS Farms' elite performance horses Miss Lucy and Girl Crush. Her horses have won numerous honors in elite arenas, and most recently, Miss Lucy won the prestigious $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship in 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Lenahan left a remarkable legacy on the equine industry, and most notably the hunter arena. She offered show opportunities to talented junior riders such as Molly Ashe Crawley, as well as numerous other professionals including Brian Flynn and Gary Raman. All went on to win in the national arena with her horses. Among those professionals, Lenahan had a successful 25-year partnership with SBS Farms trainer and rider, Jennifer Alfano. Her guidance and presence at horse shows as an encouraging role model will forever be remembered by those she supported.

“Helen not only watched her own horses at the horse shows,” Schoellkopf said. “She always went back to watch the customers and the kids, regardless of if the horse was hers. She was very much a part of the barn and the team.”
 
Lenahan’s philanthropy was seen through her service as a board member of the Harry M. Dent Family Foundation, the Helen Dent Lenahan Foundation and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center.
 
Also passionate about educational opportunities, Lenahan created the Helen Dent Scholarship Fund at Canisius High School and provided continuous support to the Buffalo Seminary, Elmwood-Franklin School and Nichols School.
 
Lenahan is survived by her daughter, Susan Lenahan, two sons, John and Christopher, and four grandchildren — John IV, Mackenzie, Christopher, Jr. “C.J.” and Reilly Lenahan. 
 
A dear friend to Schoellkopf and a proud supporter of the SBS Farms team and numerous other equestrians throughout the years, she will be dearly missed by all. 

Special thanks to Phelps Media Group, Inc., for the press release.

Successful Spring Travels For SBS Farms

The SBS Farms team traveled from New York to Pennsylvania to Kentucky this spring in May and June and drove home with many accolades and achievements from Country Heir, Devon and Saratoga.

The best news, however, was Jen Alfano’s return to the show ring after a second knee surgery earlier this spring.

“I showed three horses last week at Country Heir and four this week,” said Jen with a smile. “Hopefully, I’m on the road to recovery. I’m home now for three weeks to continue my physical therapy and to practice, and, hopefully, I’ll be able to show all my horses during our next show at Chagrin in Cleveland.”

Jen eased back into the show ring and chose the mounts she competed based primarily on the jump height, starting at 3’. “This second week of Country Heir I did the 3’6”, and my knee feels pretty good,” she said. “It’s a bit sore, but it’s not like it was in Houston (at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show) before my surgery.”

The first week of Country Heir, Jen rode the Green Hunters Talladega, owned by Sharon O’Neill, and Kathy Chiaf’s Kindred. She also competed her longtime partner Jersey Boy, owned by SBS Farms, in the 3’3” Performance Working Hunters.

“Lewis (Jersey Boy) was great,” she said. “He got good ribbons in all of his classes, and with 69 entries it was a tough division.” Kathy’s Kindred also earned top ribbons in the 3’ Green Hunters with 42 entries.

During the second week of Country Heir, Jen and Jersey Boy won in the 3’6” Performance Working Hunters, and she piloted Girl Crush to the top of the card in the Green 3’6” section.

“I also did the USHJA National Hunter Derby with Lewis at Country Heir, and I’m hoping by Cleveland to do the International Derby. He feels good and happy, but it depends on if we both stay that way—but that’s what we hope for!” she said. “He was great in both rounds of the National Derby, and in the Handy he was spectacular and back on his game. When he’s on, he’s on, and he was perfect both rounds, scoring an 88 plus 4 for a 92 in both rounds.”

Jen and Kindred picked up the 3’ Green Hunter reserve championship during Week 1 and moved up to championship honors Week 2. “He’s still really green, but he’s coming along so well,” she said. “The first day this week there was a new sign in the ring, and he wouldn’t go by it and made a scene. He got a zero, so I stayed in the ring for the second round and he got an 87. He’s still super green and doesn’t know, but when he puts it all together he wins. It’s just a matter of him gaining the experience.”

SBS client Kathy Chiaf also earned her own top ribbons, winning an Adult Amateur Hunter, 50 and over, section class with Sweetwater. “She was in the ribbons both weeks with both of her horses in a tough crowd, with more than 30 entries,” said Jen.

Alicia Heberle and Peter Pletcher also assisted in the saddle for SBS Farms. Alicia rode Kathy’s Silver Lining to excellent ribbons in the Green Hunter 3’6”, and Peter did the same, taking the reins with Helen Lenahan’s Girl Crush.

“Peter did a couple for me the first week of Country Heir—Girl Crush and Candid— and he’s been amazing all the way through,” she said of her friend and fellow trainer from Texas. “He jumped up to help me a year ago when I was injured and continued throughout the year. He’s been amazing and supportive, and any time I need him he’s been there.”

SBS Farms also enjoyed time at the Devon Horse Show in Pennsylvania earlier in the month, where their horses made their presence known.

Jen’s Candid placed fourth in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby with Kristy Herrera in the irons. In the same class, Kristy also finished 11th with Jen’s Kensi.

Candid racked up even more impressive placings with Kristy during Devon, including a third-placed ribbon in the High Performance Conformation Hunters and additional placings. Trainer Carleton Brooks also had fun with Candid, taking home third place in the High Performance Conformation Hunter Model.

Helen Lenahan’s talented mare Girl Crush, with Kristy in the irons, claimed second and fifth places in the Green Hunter 3’6” section.

“I’m so grateful to have gotten to show such a great group of horses at Devon! Thank you so much to SBS Farms, Jen Alfano, Louise Serio, Bryan Baldwin, Lisa Rex, Over the Top Stables, and all the fantastic support teams behind the scenes who made this week so fun!” said Kristy on her Facebook page.

Carleton Brooks showed Jennifer Alfano's Candid in Devon's High Performance Conformation model class.

During the Saratoga Springs Horse Show, May 17–21, Jen’s Kensi earned a plethora of awards with Kristy in the irons. The bay Westphalian mare won the Green Hunter 3’6”/3’9” championship and the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby.

Crisp and Emma Walters made SBS Farms proud, claiming victories in the Children’s Hunter, 15-17, classes. With SBS Farms’ Assistant Trainer Alicia Heberle, Crisp was third in two Low Hunter classes and had a good finish in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. 

Kristy also partnered with Girl Crush, owned by Helen Lenahan, to fabulous results in the Green Hunter 3’6”/3’9” classes, earning a win as well as a third- and fourth-placed ribbons.

SBS Farms rider Zoe Schaab and Lucky Charm, owned by the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, took home a blue ribbon in the Special Children’s/Adult Hunter 2’6”

The next stop for SBS Farms is the Chagrin Hunter Jumper Classic, July 6-16, in Moreland Hills, Ohio.

Kindred Leads the USHJA National Green Hunter Incentive Program Standings

Kathy Chiaf's Kindred has enjoyed a successful spring season under the auspices of SBS Farms, Inc., based in Buffalo, New York. 

As of May 1, the bay warmblood leads the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program National Overall Standings with earnings of $3,876. The lovely bay also leads the Colts & Geldings and the 5-year-old section standings.

Kindred topped the standings after impressive performances during the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Katy, Texas, in March, where he won the Green Hunter Incentive stake during Week 2 and placed second during Week 1.

"He showed three times in Texas with three different riders," said rider/trainer Jennifer Alfano. "He's got such a great attitude and a great brain."

Jen had the ride on Kindred during Week 1, but she offered him to Peter Pletcher during Week 2 after a knee injury she'd been recovering from flared again. During the Spring Gathering Horse Show, the third week of the circuit, Kindred jumped around the Green Hunter Incentive stake with Kristy McCormack Herrera in the irons.

"We got him at the end of the Florida circuit, and we're super excited about him," said Jen. "He’s the whole package, a beautiful mover and great jumper. I’m really excited to bring him along." 

Kindred and Jennifer Alfano

Jen was looking at young horses at Carly Campbell Cooper's Triple C Stables when she spotted Kindred trot across the ring.

"When she started trotting around, I thought, 'Oh, geeze.' When they move as well as he does they don't often jump that well. But when she cantered over the first jump, I was like, 'Wow!' I have to thank Carly, because he's a special horse."

Chiaf purchased Kindred with the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program in mind, and once Jen has recovered from another knee surgery she had on April 17, she'll be back in the saddle to continue Kindred's Green Hunter career.  

"We're absolutely doing the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program Championship," she said of the annual championship held in August at the Kentucky Horse Park. "I hope to be back in the show ring during the Country Heir shows in June in Kentucky."

In the meantime, SBS Farms will be taking horses to the Saratoga Horse Shows this month while Jen recuperates from the golf cart and continues physical therapy.    

To view the 2017 USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program standings, please click here.

Pin Oak Provides Great Rewards

The SBS Farms team members not only celebrated blue-ribbon results throughout the three-week Pin Oak Charity and Spring Gathering horse shows in Katy, Texas, but they also celebrated a triumphant return. Both Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy re-entered the show ring after injuries kept them sidelined for significant time periods.

The team had a fantastic first week at Pin Oak, March 22-26, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, with excellent placings. Alfano and Jersey Boy took home the championship in the 3’3” Performance Working Hunter section with two first-placed ribbons in the two classes they contested, scoring a 90 in the handy round.

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy return to the show ring at Pin Oak I for second in the USHJA National Hunter Derby.

"It’s amazing to be back on Lewis (Jersey Boy)," said Alfano. "I did two Pre-Green horses in the morning, and it was so fun to be back in the ring, but my knee was starting to hurt a bit. But having him at the end of the day, and to have him go like that after so long, was really cool.

"When I was going around the course, I was so happy that I’m sure I had a grin from ear-to-ear," she added. "And it was funny. Around the turn I looked in the schooling area, and every single person was standing still watching, and I was like, ‘Oh god! Come on Lewis!' I think he was really happy, and to have him back is so fun."

Alfano also credited her SBS Farms team for their support, from her injury in May at Devon until she was able to return to the show ring on Day No. 1 of the 72nd Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. 

"My girls at the barn, Alicia Heberle and Abby Strohmeyer, have been amazing through this whole thing and not just with Lewis but with everything," she said. "Everyone at home, too, has stepped up and made this bearable for me. Everybody—Susie (Schoellkopf), Kristy (Herrera), all of my people and my owners who have waited. Everybody has gone out of their way to make this OK for me, and that really means a lot.”

Alfano and Jersey Boy continued their successful show ring comeback with a second-placed finish in the $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby during Pin Oak I. 

Alfano also had good rides aboard Kathy Chiaf’s Kindred, taking second place in the USHJA Green Incentive and third in the Texas Super Stake as well as riding to first- and second-placef finishes in the 3’ Green Hunter division. She also placed well with another new mount, Sharon O’Neil’s Talladega in the 3’ Green Hunter section.

Kristy Herrera and Candid continued their success in the USHJA International Hunter Derby classes, placing second at Pin Oak I.

Kristy Herrera continued her success in the hunter derby ring for SBS Farms, coming off of a win in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Deeridge Derby (Florida) with Candid. Herrera and Candid placed second in the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during Pin Oak I. Herrera and Helen Lenahan’s Miss Lucy placed sixth. 

SBS Farms' winning ways in the hunter divisions continued during Week I as Texas-based professional Peter Pletcher piloted Helen Lenahan’s Girl Crush to the championship in the 3’6” Green Hunter section, with a clean sweep and first place in every class. 

SBS Farms' Assistant Trainer Alicia Heberle was in the ribbons in the 3’6” Green Hunter section aboard Jennifer Alfano’s Kensi and Kathy Chiaf’s Silver Lining. 

Chiaf took the reins and piloted her own Silver Lining and Sweetwater to multiple ribbons in the Adult Amateur, 50 & Over division including second and third place finishes with Sweetwater over fences and third and fourth place finishes with Silver Lining. 

Week II of Pin Oak brought even more accolades as Alfano and Jersey Boy topped the $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. “It’s amazing to be back on Lewis (Jersey Boy) and to have him go like that after so long was really cool,” said Alfano. "It was a nice course today. There were tight turns and places you could gallop, which made for a good course overall." 

Jersey Boy, a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding, is legendary in the Hunter show ring as a three-time USEF Horse of the Year (2009-2011) and winner of the 2012 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship. 

Alicia Heberle and Miss Lucy with her sixth-placed ribbon in the USHJA International Hunter Derby at Pin Oak I.

Herrera also had success Week II with Helen Lenahan’s Miss Lucy, placing aboard the Dutch Warmblood in the International Hunter Derby. 

Chiaf rode her own Sweetwater, an 8-year-old Mecklenburg, to claim reserve championship honors in the Adult Amateur, 50 & Over Hunter secion. The pair placed first and third in the over fences portion, second in the handy and second in the stake. Chiaf also placed well with Silver Lining, earning ribbons in ever class.

Pletcher returned to the saddle for SBS, riding Chiaf’s Kindred to top honors and impressive paychecks in the 3’ Green Hunter Stake, the Texas Super Stake and the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive classes. 

During their third week in the Lone Star State, the SBS Farms team maintained their winning streak, this time at the Spring Gathering Horse Show. 

Herrera brought home the championship title in the Conformation Hunter section aboard Alfano’s Candid. The pair dominated the division, placing first in all of the over fences and under saddle classes and second in the handy class. 

Herrera also found success in the 3’ Green Hunter division, claiming the reserve championship aboard Chiaf’s Kindred with first- and second-placed finishes in the over fences classes. 

In the Adult Amateur, 50 & Over Hunter section, Chiaf piloted Silver Lining to the reserve championship. She also earned ribbons in the division aboard her own Sweetwater. 

Alfano continued to prove she's back in winning form, by taking second in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby aboard Jersey Boy. 

"He was great and super in the first round," said Alfano. "In the second round, my knee was bothering me. He won the first round and we ended up second overall. He was perfect. He needed a better rider in Round 2. I think he’s really happy and he feels great. I’m excited about that and to see where we go the rest of the year."

Alfano said moving forward she and Lewis will keep going in the show ring but take it slow. "'We're both still recovering," she said. "We'll play it by ear and see how he feels and how I feel and we'll go from there."

Although the Texas shows are a long way from Buffalo, New York, Alfano said that they're a permanent stop on the SBS Farms show schedule and have been for many years. "We love going there--it's a long way from home but so worth it," she said. "The shows are so nice and the people are so friendly and welcoming. We really enjoy going there, and we have a great time every year."

Kristy Herrera and Candid Conquer $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Deeridge

Out of a starting field of 40 horses, the 24 highest-ranking pairs in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by the World Equestrian Center, advanced to take on the handy phase on Sunday afternoon March 4 to culminate the final day of the inaugural Deeridge Derby Weekend.

Riders tackled the course despite unusually cool and windy conditions, and it was Kristy Herrera who reigned supreme and was crowned the winner of the highly-anticipated class aboard Candid, owned by her longtime trainer and mentor, Jennifer Alfano.

The challenging and technical track was designed by Skip Bailey and featured bending lines, tight rollbacks, a trot fence to a natural log set on a tight angle and a hand gallop to the final oxer. There were endless possibilities for riders to show-off as they were given the option to jump any two of the white birch verticals as the first and second obstacles in their course that were positioned on a circle in the center of the Hollow Brook Wealth Management Grand Prix Field.

Kristy Herrera and Jennifer Alfano's Candid

Herrera, of Wellington, Florida, experienced the sweet taste of victory yet again as she showcased her talents to capture the championship title. In August, at the Kentucky Horse Park, Herrera took the reins for Alfano on Miss Lucy to win the 2016 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship.

While Herrera qualified for the handy phase on both of her SBS Farms-trained entries, Candid and Miss Lucy, it was with Candid that she had the most success. The duo was sitting in second place going into Sunday afternoon's round, just narrowly missing the first place spot by 0.75 points. 'Sheldon,' as he is called back in the barn, has far less experience than Helen Lenahan's Miss Lucy, but that didn't stop Herrera from riding to victory.

"Candid was amazing today. This was only his second derby, and he stepped up like a champion. He was so awesome," Herrera said of her mount who typically campaigns in the High Performance Conformation Hunters.

Judges gave the 2008 Holsteiner gelding scores of 87 and an 86 plus three handy points. Herrera was so confident with her trip she chose to forego the four high options on course, instead focusing on implementing a smooth and flowing round. Over the course of both days, Herrera ended up with an impressive 364.00 points in total.

Kristy Herrera and Candid in their winning presentation with Katie Jacobs-Robinson, Jennifer Burger and Mason Phelps.

"Sheldon has a lot of personality, and he has a couple of quirks of his own, but what's best about him is he trusts his rider so that made today go really well," Herrera said.

Candid's owner, Alfano, is currently sidelined from a riding injury that occurred at the Devon Horse Show in 2016. She said, "[Kristy] and that horse—she's done things for me during my injury that have made it OK for me to be on the ground."

All of the riders unanimously agreed that while the course was quite demanding in what it expected of riders, it was thrilling and enjoyable.

"When I saw the course I was really excited," said Kelli Cruciotti, who placed second aboard Monterrey. "I've always ridden with my mom, Cindy, and today she walked it and said, 'This is such a great course for Ray,' because everything was a related distance."

Cruciotti was the sole rider of the class who took a chance and executed an inside slice from the white birch vertical (fence six) to the high option brown oxer (fence seven) in nine direct strides.

"It was very direct and I said to my mom, 'Are you sure it' s there?' said Cruciotti. "She said, 'It's there, just do it. Look and he'll be right there.'"

The top three riders, from left, Havens Schatt,Kelli Cruciotti, Kristy Herrera with Katie Jacobs-Robinson of Deeredge.

The ability to personalize their handy trips to show off their horse's strong points was also mentioned.

"It was a really interesting choice to be able to have so many options, and Jen and I talked a lot about the course," said Herrera. "We walked it and just chose something that was best for [Candid].

"Candid is a pretty good turner, and so we just did a couple of rollbacks versus trying to do a direct line anywhere," continued Herrera. "When I got to do Lucy, I chose something else for her so I think it was nice to have an option that was different for each horse."

The magnificent grounds of Deeridge Farms, owned by the Jacobs family, left all riders and spectators with a positive feeling as the show came to a close on Sunday. For these hunter riders, it was all the more special.

"It was beautiful. The venue--you can't get anything better. A huge thank you to the Jacobs and Robinson family. I have to say, it's one of the best venues we've been at all year," Cruciotti stated.

Third-placed Havens Schatt shared similar sentiments saying, "The venue is incredible and we are so appreciative as hunter riders to be able to be showcased in a place like this. We feel very important just like these grand prix riders do. I thought the courses were great. I loved the idea of the welcome class to get it going. Today's handy round was quite difficult. It was asking a lot of questions and there were a lot of good horses and good riders. I thought it was really good competition."

"I want to thank Katie [Jacobs-Robinson] and the Jacobs because having hunters go on this beautiful field and having a venue like this to showcase our horses is amazing. I'm thankful for that," Alfano said.

"Thank you so much for coming," concluded Katie Jacobs-Robinson, president of the Deeridge Derby Weekend. "It really meant a lot to me to look out and see so many old friends and new friends. You guys really brought a great competition and it made it really special; we would love to host another Deeridge Derby Weekend in 2018!"

SBS Farms Takes Home Tricolors at HITS Ocala III

SBS Farms is off to a great start for the 2017 winter show season, and they show no signs of slowing down. Riders traveled from Buffalo, New York, to the sunny state of Florida for the HITS III Ocala Premiere, never missing in a beat in the show ring.

Kristy Herrera joined the SBS team in Ocala this week and started off her winter season with a bang, bringing home multiple tricolors. Two first-placed finishes over fences and a third place under saddle brought home the championship for Herrera and Jennifer Alfano's Candid in the Conformation Hunter section. 

Herrera continued her winning ways aboard Helen Lenahan's Miss Lucy with a reserve championship in the High Performance Hunter section. Herrera and Miss Lucy won the 2016 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship together and are certainly a combination to watch this winter. 

In the 3'6" Green Hunters, Herrera and Helen Lenahan's Girl Crush never strayed from the top three. The pair placed second in the over fences and handy classes and third in the under saddle. SBS Farms' Assistant Trainer Alicia Heberle fared well in the Green Hunter section as well aboard Jennifer Alfano's Kensi. Heberle and Kathy Chiaf's Silver Lining placed in the top ten in the division as well.

For the second week in a row, Michael Williamson and David Steffee's Maggie May claimed the Large Junior Hunter section championship. 

Down in Wellington, SBS also found success as Paige Kouimanis and Lexus were champions in the Adult Amateur, 18-35, Jumper section.  

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 the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.
 

Strong Start to SBS Farms' Winter Season

To kick off the winter circuit, SBS Farms' competitors and horses made the journey from Buffalo, New York, to HITS Ocala in central Florida. The team had a successful first week and the coming weeks are likely to see numerous tricolor ribbons for this impressive group of riders. 

SBS Farms Assistant Trainer Alicia Heberle has taken over the reins for Jennifer Alfano, assuming the riding duties until Alfano is back in action after an injury last season, and has been doing a fantastic job. During the HITS Ocala January Festival II, Heberle and Kathy Chiaf's Silver Lining had a fantastic first outing as a pair and claimed the reserve championship in the 3'3" Performance Working Hunter section. 

"Silver Lining is all-in-all a very solid horse—he's really brave," Heberle said. "He will do the First Year Green section next week and then his owner will show him a bit later in the season."

Heberle also found success with Jennifer Alfano's Kensi, placing fifth in a large 3'6" Green Hunter class. 

SBS Farms' clients also had a strong start to the Florida season. Michael Williamson piloted David Steffee's Maggie May to a championship ribbon in the combined Junior Hunter section. Another pair to watch this season,  Alex Trolli and her own Del Piero marked their first trip to the show ring since the 2015 National Horse Show with a second-placed finish in the Adult Amateur Hunter, 18-35, section and a third-placed finish in the Adult Hunter Classic.  

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 the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.