Buffalo, N.Y. – Sept. 18, 2017 – The 2017 Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) concluded on Sunday and crowned numerous champions in the hunter and jumper divisions. It was another great year of showing for both exhibitors and spectators at the 71st annual historic event, which benefits the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC).
In the $500 “Say Hey” Children’s Hunter Classic, Jessica Lewis and her own Injoy Z claimed the first place prize. Just behind Lewis, Eliza Gurney riding Jennifer Gurney’s Gianni took home second place and Sadie Rutkowski with Marguerite Heberle’s Scandal took third place.
Linnea Garrison and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s Copyright clinched the win in the $500 Johnson Horse Transportation Silver Stirrup Classic. Mary Trincanati rode the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s Abundance into second place and Julie Ciferni with Christine Hannon’s Cherry Blossom finished in third place.
The Junior 3’3″ Hunter division culminated on Sunday with Emma Walters clinching the championship aboard the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center’s Crisp after taking home two more blue ribbons in the final over fences rounds on Sunday. The reserve championship went to Jenna Drago and Sandriano, owned by Peter Pletcher.
In addition, Gianni, ridden by Gurney, claimed the championship in the Children’s 14 and Under Hunter division. Benjamin Hoban rode Lydia Ulrich’s Dallas to the reserve championship. In the Children’s 15–17 Hunter divison, Lewis rode Injoy Z to the championship title, and Olivia Cortese rode her own Coldplay to the reserve championship.
The Pony Hunter division saw Dressed To Go, owned and ridden by Vivian Golden, take home the championship win. Stonewall Eleanor, owned by Jessica Kupser and ridden by Isabella Fabrizi, claimed the reserve championship in the division.
In the Pre-Adult 2’6″ Hunter division, Trincanati rode the BTRC’s Abundance to the championship tricolor. Ciferni and Cherry Blossom took home the reserve championship just behind the pair. Molly Gfroerer and the BTRC’s Churchill were also named champion in the Pre-Children’s 2’6″ Hunter division, with Francesca Olivo and Maggie Welland’s Selina grabbing the reserve championship.
Following competition on Sunday, Emma Kurtz was named the Best Junior and Child Rider with Rebekah Warren’s Enticement. The talented pair were also named the Grand Champion Junior Hunter for the 2017 BIHS. SBS Farms, Inc.’s Stardust was awarded the Roses Are Red Grand Hunter Challenge Trophy with rider Jennifer Alfano.
Lewis and her own Injoy Z were named the overall grand champion in the Children’s Hunter division, while Girl Crush, owned by Susan Kimberly and ridden by Alfano, was awarded the Courier Express Trophy.
After Joe and Real Super Quick, both owned by Charity Donnan and ridden by Aaron Donnan, were presented with the Grand Champion Jumper Ford Roy Trophy to wrap-up awards presentations at the 71st annual Buffalo International Horse Show.
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.
