Tyler Petrie and Quite Ruffy (Phelps Media Group, Inc. International)
First up was the Syracuse PHA Medal, which was grasped by Gabriella Fournier of Rochester, NY. Close to follow was the WIHS Equitation Hunter Phase, which had Madison DeRegis smiling in the winner's circle.
Next in the spotlight was the Junior 3'6" Division, which had a great turnout of talented horse and rider combinations. The eventual winner in the first class of the division was Emma Kurtz on Clooney, owned by Oscany, Inc. Taking home the blue ribbon in the handy round was Caroline Kellog on her own Felicci. Her impressive rides also earned her the Junior 3'6" Hunter Reserve Champion title. Showing their diverse skills was Tyler Petrie and Ann Anastasio's Quite Ruffy who took home top honors in the Under Saddle class and the earned the much sought after Championship ribbon.
The talent did not stop there, as the Junior 3'3" Hunter division was heated with top-tier athletes. The first class went to Emily Cherney riding Little Brook Farm's Jaded Palace. Dominating the handy round was Madison DeRegis on her own mount Megamark. The eventual champion was Margaret von Ebers on her own Prestige; with Emily Cherney on Little Brook Farm's Jaded Palace right on her heals to take Reserve. As for the Grand Champion honors, there was tie, as the combinations had identical scores. It was Tyler Petrie on Ann Antastasio's Quite Ruffy and Margaret von Ebers on her own Prestige, who were smiling together in the spotlight.
Next up, it was the children and ponies that had everyone's attention in the Buffalo Equestrian Center's Indoor Arena. The Small Pony Division was filled with impressive (and adorable) talent. The first class of the division went to Jenna Drago on her own Groovy Girl. Shortly after, Emma Seving triumphed in the second over fences class in the group on Gran Jete', owned by David Gochman. It was Sophia Calamari and her own Smitten who took home the blue in the Under Saddle portion of the division.
It was not long before Sophia Calamari was back in the winner's circle, as she captured the win in the first class of the Medium Pony Division on Doris Leventhal's El Nino. In the second class it was Emma Kurtz' incredible ride on Lonsome Dove Farm's Good Hearted that earned her top honors; a performance that also won her the Best Child Rider award. Closing out the Medium Pony Division was Emma Seving on Redfield Farm's Sassafras Creek who finished on top of the Under Saddle class.
Sweeping the Large Pony Division was Sophia Calamari on Elizabeth Newmeyer's Crush Worthy who stayed in the winner's circle for the both Over Fences classes and the Under Saddle Class.
The "Say Hey" Pony Classic brought together the best pony and rider combinations and the crowd gathered to watch the impressive show. The eventual winner was Emma Kurtz on Lonsome Dove Farm's Good Hearted. Taking home the red ribbon was Sophia Calamari on Elizabeth Newmeyer's Crush Worthy. Also earning the third place honors was Sophia Calamari, who had beautiful ride on Doris Leventhal's El Nino. Claudia Freeman and Debbie Brown Moon's Serenade in Blue grasped the fourth place position and Emma Seving on Redfiels Farm's Sassafras Creek rounded out the top five.
In the Children's Hunter Horse Division, Alex Trolli captured the victory on Doreen Toben's Del Piero. Next, The Young Adult Amateurs took center stage and it was Alyssa Boker on her own Carafino who took home the blue in the first round. Taking home top honors in both the second Over Fences class and the Under Saddle class was Jackie Boyczuk riding her mount Harley.
As the Adult Amateur 36 and Over Hunters made their way into the ring, the competition was only growing fiercer. Riding to the top in the first class was Dr. Ellen Bifano and her own Placido. Next, it was Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center's own Alexis Mierzwa on mount Zenith who took home the blue in the second Over Fences class. The winner's circle was a familiar place for Dr. Ellen Bifano and Placido, as they grasped the top spot in the Under Saddle class.
Emma Kurtz has had nothing short of a fabulous show at the 68th Buffalo International Horse Show. An impressive field of horses tackled the $5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA National Hunter Derby, but Kurtz climbed to the top of the ranks with Clooney to capture the evening's victory. Alicia Heberle rode Dr. Jennifer Basile's Playmore to the second place, while Kurtz also captured the third place with VIP Z, owned by Scott Stewart.
As the hunter action came to an end for the night, the Stephen A. Comunale High Jumper Classic commenced. Owner and rider Charity Donnan and After Joe took the first place with their speedy time, while Aaron Donnan guided Charity's Real Super Quick to the red ribbon. Paige Kouimanis and Andante O finished third.
Sandra Crabtree of Dyer, IN, and Grin-N-Bear It were awarded the High Child/Adult Jumper Championship, and After Joe with Charity Donnan took the reserve rosette.
During the Stephen A. Comunale Low Child/Adult Jumper Classic, Aaron Donnan stole the show with Real Super Quick. He piloted the speedy horse to the first place just ahead of Sherri Terhaar and Clousseau. Emma Seving and Desert Rose, owned by Ericka Koenigsberg, finished third. Although Aaron took home the Classic's blue ribbon, it was Terhaar and Clousseau who would be awarded the division's championship. Desert Rose with Seving in the irons would finish with the reserve championship.