Buffalo, N.Y. – Sept. 17, 2018 – The 2018 Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) concluded on Sunday afternoon with many champions being crowned in both the hunter and jumper divisions. It was another great year of competition for both exhibitors and spectators at the 72nd annual historic event, which benefits the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC).
Elizabeth Cooley rode to the first place finish in the $500 Johnson Horse Transportation Silver Stirrup Classic aboard Kaitlyn Kurtz’s Paisley Park. Second place was awarded to Adele Krabek riding the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s own Copyright. Rounding out the top three was Elizabeth Jacobs aboard her own mount Selina.
Annie Walsh maintained her lead from Saturday in the Junior 3’3″ Hunter division and was awarded the championship. Reserve champion was awarded to Emma Walters riding the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s Crisp. Walsh also earned the Best Junior Rider award for her efforts in the hunter ring.
The Junior 3’6″ Hunter championship tricolor was presented to Campbell Kahn riding her own Quite Ruffy. Kahn and Quite Ruffy also received the Grand Champion Junior Hunter award. Reserve champion in the Junior 3’6″ Hunter division was Caroline Kahn riding her own mount Mango.
Champion in the Children’s Hunter division was McKinley Egenhofer riding her own Emma’s Cardenta VD Mangelaar. Reserve champion was awarded to Olivia Cortese riding Coldplay. Egenhofer also received the Children’s Grand Hunter Championship award.
The Pre-Adult 2’6″ division champion was Stephanie Brennan riding the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s Manolo. Elizabeth Jacobs and her own mount, Selina, rode to the reserve championship finish. Kaia Marejon and Ever Mint To Be, owned by Kerry Marble, rode to the championship in the Pre-Children’s 2’6″ Hunter division, while the reserve championship went to Madison Aurio riding her own Catch Phrase.
In the Pony Hunter division, it was Sadie Rutkowski and Mapleside Voila, owned by Salmon Creek Equine, who earned the championship, while Camden Kitchens and Ava Peck’s Persephone earned runner-up honors. The Children’s Pony Hunter champion was Adele Krabek riding Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s Lucky Charm. Molly Gfroerer rode her own mount Blue’s Traveler to the reserve championship.
In Saturday’s jumper divisions, Aaron Donnan rode Charity Donnan’s After Joe to the 1.10m/1.15m Children’s/Adult Jumper championship. The reserve championship was awarded to Emma Seving riding her own mount, Optimal Hastak. Walters added to her hunter awards by receiving Low Children’s/Adult 1.0m Jumper championship aboard Charlotte Des Bruyeres, owned by the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. The reserve championship was awarded to Benjamin Hobin riding Elizabeth D’loren’s Up Stream.
The BIHS is the most prominent fundraiser of the year for the BTRC and is designated a ‘Heritage’ competition by US Equestrian (USEF), reserved for horse shows in existence for 25 years or more. The BIHS is fortunate to be one of less than 30 horse shows nationwide that holds this illustrious status.
For more information regarding the BIHS and BTRC, please click here.
All photos by Jess Windhurst Photography
