Jennifer Alfano of SBS Farms Cleans Up with Grand Hunter Championship at Buffalo International Horse Show

Photo Credit: Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy, champions in the Regular Working Hunters. Photo (C) 2008 Randi Muster.

Contact:
Jenny Underwood of Phelps Media Group, Inc.
at (561) 753-3389 or at pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

September 18, 2008 - Today marked the second day of competition at the Buffalo International Horse Show. One of the oldest shows in the country, BIHS is celebrating its 62^nd year. All proceeds from the show benefit the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. The show runs through September 21, 2008.

In addition to exhibitors competing with some of the country's top riders at this AA rated event, they are also recipients of the wonderful hospitality offered by BIHS staff. In an opportunity to make sure riders at all levels and divisions are offered the same top awards, classics accompanied with generous prize money are offered across the board.

Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY, was on top of her game today as she gathered up many championships in the hunter divisions. Aboard Sting, owned by Helen Lenahan, Alfano won the Grand Hunter Championship.

"It is a great feeling to be Grand Hunter Champion. I am really happy to win this award," said Alfano. "The horses were just fantastic today. Sting and all the other horses really responded well. Moving back indoors from showing outside all summer was really very easy. The horses adjusted perfectly, and it was fun to ride them."

Alfano rode Sting in two hunter divisions and was champion in both. The first division was the Green Working Hunters. Alfano piloted Sting to first and third-place ribbons, clinching the championship. In the Green Conformation Hunter division, Alfano and Sting were awarded double blue ribbons and garnered the championship.

Riding The Specialist, owned by Meredith Lipke Bartolone, Alfano and The Specialist were reserve champion in the Green Working Hunters. The pair rode to two second-place ribbons. Meredith Lipke Bartolone also rode The Specialist in the Amateur-Owner Hunters. Bartolone came away with third and fourth-place ribbons.

"The Specialist was great. He is always a great ride, no matter where we are. If I ask him to so something, he responds and tries his best. This horse is special. He wants to do well and knows when it is time to get serious," said Alfano.

On Once and Again, also owned by Meredith Lipke Bartolone, Alfano was awarded a blue ribbon in an Open Working Hunter class. Bartolone rode Once and Again in the Amateur-Owner Hunters, where she rode to double blue ribbons in the division.

Alfano also competed aboard Jersey Boy, owned by SBS Farms. Continuing her success in the hunters, Alfano and Jersey Boy were on top of their game, earning two blue ribbons that captured the championship award in the Regular Working Hunters. 

"Jersey Boy knows his job. This horse just loves to perform and loves to win. He is so willing, both in the ring and at the barn. He loves the horse show, and competing at home is a plus," said Alfano. "Winning is that much more special when you know all the proceeds from the show go to such an amazing cause like the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center."

Harrison, owned by Sandra Kuczynski, was ridden by Alfano in the Regular Working Hunters. After two great rounds and two second-place ribbons, Harrison and Alfano accepted the reserve champion award.

Highlights for tomorrow at the Buffalo International Horse Show include the $1,000 Churchill Adult Hunter Classic and the $2,500 IBM Silver Stirrup Classic, which is scheduled not to start before 6:00 p.m.

For more information on the Buffalo International Horse Show and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.