Buffalo, N.Y. – Sept. 18, 2021 – Saturday at the Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) was packed full of hunter, jumper and equitation classes held throughout the day. The evening culminated with the $7,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby where Amanda Schurr and Lunatico Kristal B’s flawless handy round earned the victory. The derby was preceded by the $4,000 S.A. Comunale NAL Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic and the $3,000 S.A. Comunale NAL Low Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic, where athletes showcased speed and accuracy.
After two rounds of the $7,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby, Shurr and her own Lunatico Kristal B topped the competitive class of professional, amateur and junior entries, also earning them the Frey Family Trophy, awarded to the winner of the National Hunter Derby. The pair finished on a score of 170, just edging out Emma Walters who rode SBS Farms’ Stardust to the second place finish with a score of 169. Jamie piloted Finnello, owned by Elizabth Jacobs, to the third place ribbon after earning a score of 167.
Prior to the derby, the jumpers took the spotlight in the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) arena. In the $3,000 S.A Comunale NAL Child/Adult Jumper Classic, Jessica Mundie was fast and clear on her own Camal II to take home the win as well as the championship honors. The reserve championship was presented to second place finisher Aaron Donnan for his ride on AI / Greenhouse Effect, owned by Charity Donnan. In the $3,000 S.A. Comunale Low Child/Adult Jumper Classic, Aaron rode After Joe to the top spot and the championship ribbon for Charity, followed by Charity and her horse Jake who placed second and earned the reserved championship title.
Earlier in the day, the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter division completed its final classes of the division where Shurr piloted Lunatico Kristal B to a win in the under saddle class as well as the third over fences classes for the championship title prior to their USHJA National Derby victory. The reserve championship was earned by Justin Meyers who won first over fences class as well as the handy class. Shurr and Meyers also went on to place first and second, respectively, in the $1,000 Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Classic.
Christine Ruh and SBS Farms’ Stardust topped the Adult Amateur Hunter division, earning a pair of blue ribbons to clinch the championship title. Eileen Di Donato and Skidmore College’s Morocco earned a blue ribbon over fences as well as a second place in the under saddle to take home the reserve championship tricolor.
The $500 Say Hey NAL Child/Adult Amateur Hunter Classic concluded the first part of the day, with Stephanie Brennan capturing the win aboard Del Piero. Ruh placed second riding Stardust and third aboard BTRC’s Liberty Road.
Hayley Herring and Caroline Garcia were honored with the 2021 Peach Taylor Sportsmanship Award. This award is given in memory of Taylor by her grandson, Mason Phelps, Founder and President of Phelps Media Group. The recipient is chosen for his or her dedication to the welfare of horses as well as their kind and caring nature towards peers and teachers. The 2020 Peach Taylor Award was presented to Emma Najdzionek. The 74th BIHS was dedicated in memory of Liz Schaab and Nina Baldi, who were honored before the evening’s competition.
The BIHS will come to a conclusion on Sunday, Sept. 19 with the Children’s and Pony Hunter divisions taking center stage to determine championship and reserve championship honors.
The BIHS is held each year as a benefit 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.
