Ocala, FL - March 15, 2005 - The annual H.I.T.S. winter horse show circuit in Ocala, FL ended with Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY and her student, Kacey McCann of Palmyra, PA taking home a lion's share of the awards in the hunter and equitation divisions. The fifth and final show in the series, the Ocala Winter Finals, ran from March 9 to 13.

Two-time World Championship Hunter Rider Alfano teamed up with Barbara Kearney's GG Valentine to earn the Regular Working Hunter Championship at the final show. Further honors came when Meredith Lipke Bartolone's Once and Again was named the Regular Working Hunter Champion for the entire H.I.T.S. Ocala circuit, and Gandolf, owned by Helen Lenehan, was awarded the Second Year Green Hunter Circuit Championship.

Alfano was named Leading Hunter Rider for the five week H.I.T.S. Ocala circuit based on her success with Once and Again, Gandolf, and GG Valentine. "I'm so pleased for the owners of these horses," Alfano quietly stated. "I know I'm very lucky to ride so many nice hunters, and I truly appreciate the trust and support the owners place in me. And, none of this would have been possible without our wonderful staff. Our grooms do a great job and take so much pride in their horses, and that helps make all the success possible." Alfano will be sharing her extensive knowledge this August in a feature in the top equestrian magazine Practical Horseman.

McCann, 14, also enjoyed great success in the final week of the series as well as in the circuit overall. At the Ocala Winter Finals, McCann rode My Way to victory in the challenging and prestigious ASPCA Maclay class. She outrode twenty of the top young riders from around the country to take home the blue ribbon. McCann also won the Hunter Phase of the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Equitation Classic. For both the show and the five week circuit she was awarded the 12-14 Equitation Division Championship.

Aboard Barbara Kearney's Shogun, McCann was Reserve Champion in the last show and for the entire circuit in the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division. "I feel I made a lot of progress this year here in Ocala," shared McCann. "It was a big improvement from last year! My Way, my equitation horse, has really come along and we've matured together. Plus, I rode hunters for Barbara Kearney and Euri Uchiyama, as well as worked a bit with everyone at Don Stewart Stables. Those opportunities, along with training with Jen (Alfano) and Susie (Schoellkopf) have taught me so much this winter."

Alfano and McCann's next competition stop is Atlanta, GA for the Atlanta Spring Classic I Horse Show on March 22 to 26, and the Atlanta Spring Classic II on March 30 to April 3. Scenic Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA is the site of both shows.

Both riders work closely with Susan B. Schoellkopf out of Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) which encompasses the Buffalo Equestrian Center and SBS, Inc. The historic facility was originally built in 1921. Then named the Buffalo Saddle and Bridle Club, it served as a gathering place for arena polo. Today the stable hosts many events that help fund the nonprofit organization BTRC to provide vital services to differently-abled youth riders.

During the 2004 show season, Alfano amassed a remarkable record. She was Leading Hunter Rider four times at the H.I.T.S. show circuit in Saugerties, NY and four times at the H.I.T.S. series in Ocala, FL. In September at the 58th Buffalo International Horse Show, Alfano piloted Barbara Kearney's GG Valentine to Grand Championship Hunter honors and also earned the trophy as Leading Hunter Rider. Later in September, Alfano was awarded the Leading Hunter Rider title for her accomplishments at the Marshall & Sterling League National Indoor Finals in Worcester, MA. To cap off the year, she was awarded the prestigious Leading Hunter Rider title at the 62nd Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA.

For further information about Jennifer Alfano, Kacey McCann, and Susan B. Schoellkopf or events at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please contact Erin Wisler at (716) 877-9295. You can also visit and learn more online at http://ryegate.com/BTRC/index.htm