Articles: Press Release

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

Buffalo, NY - September 10, 2009 - The 63rd annual Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) continued competition today at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center and awarded championships in the professional hunter divisions. Topping those divisions was Kid Rock, owned by Bright Star 158 LLC and ridden by Jennifer Alfano of SBS Farms in Buffalo, NY.

Kid Rock and Alfano won all five classes in the First Year Green Hunters to capture the division championship and the Grand Hunter Championship, for which they were awarded Helen Lenahan's Roses Are Red Perpetual Trophy.

Kid Rock is owned by Jennifer Burger of Buffalo, NY. Burger is also the proud owner of Rock Star, who was champion of the Regular Working Hunter division, and South Beach, who won the championship in the Green Conformation Hunters.

"It was wonderful to watch the horses go. They were all very good. It's continuing my dream come true to watch my horses with Jennifer riding and Susie training," Burger said.

Burger bought Kid Rock, a six-year-old Zangerscheide gelding, two and a half years ago from trainer Emil Spadone. The talented young horse made his International Hunter Derby debut a few weeks ago in Chicago.

"We're really looking forward to going in the hunter derbies with him. He's easygoing, scopey, and he's a little horse with a powerful punch. He has a huge stride and a heart of gold. You can put anything in front of him, and nothing fazes him. He just loves to do it all and the bigger the better!"

Burger is also the co-chairwoman of the Buffalo International Horse Show. This is her seventh year in that position, and this year she shares duties with Wendy Schutte.

"I feel a new excitement this year," Burger said of the BIHS. "We are sold out of stalls. We have wonderful attendance, with some new out-of-town riders and Canadian riders. We have a new indoor vendor area that will open Friday through Sunday. The sponsors have been donating at a new level. The indoor ring looks beautiful. Our $1,000 Grooms' Class was well-attended with grooms from six different barns, and Penelope Ayres' groom was the big winner."

Burger noted that a sponsorship cocktail party will be held tomorrow evening along with the $2,500 2'6" IBM Silver Stirrup Classic. There will also be a therapeutic riding demonstration tomorrow with acknowledgement for volunteers and instructors at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center.

The BIHS is one of the oldest horse shows in the country, and it raises money for a very worthy cause. All proceeds are donated to the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, which offers programs for mentally and emotionally impaired, learning disabled, and developmentally challenged children ages 6 to 16.

Competition continues tomorrow with championships for the amateur-owner hunters, as well as the $1,000 "Full Monty" Adult Hunter Classic during the day and the $2,500 2'6" IBM Silver Stirrup Classic in the evening session.

BIHS Championship Results for Thursday, September 10, 2009

Baby Green Hunter
Euro K / Roseann Deni/ Jaime George
Top Of The Mountain/ Christine Jeppson/ Jaime George

Pre-Green Hunter
Shrek/ Valerie Hoban/ Kim Ernisse
Fantabulous /Shelly Shaulinski/ Andy Lomker

Low Hunter
Point Taken/ BTRC/ Jennifer Alfano
Fantabulous /Shelly Shaulinski/ Andy Lomker

Non-Pro Hunter
Bravado/BTRC/Sarah Rimmler
Tie For Reserve
Toamie/Hannah Scwartz/Hannah Scwartz
Jacobs Ladder/Abby Crystal/ Alyssa Bokor

Regular Working
Rock Star/Bright Star 158 LLC/ Jennifer Alfano
The Specialist/ Meredith Lipke/ Meredith Lipke

Green Conformation
South Beach/ Bright Star 158 LLC/ Jennifer Alfano
Cuddel Muddel/ Jessica Pletka/ Jaime George

First Year Green
Kid Rock / Bright Star 158 LLC/ Jennifer Alfano
Extraordinary/ Helen Lenahan/ Jennifer Alfano

2009 Grand Hunter Champion:
Kid Rock / Bright Star 158 LLC/ Jennifer Alfano

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