The Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) began its first day of competition on September 9 for the 63rd annual show. The BIHS is held at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) and runs from September 9-13 in downtown Buffalo, NY. The horse show will host a number of special classes in their large indoor arena, including hunter classics.

The BIHS is pleased to welcome trainers Sandy Lobel and Amanda Steege and amateur rider Penelope Ayres, who have traveled the farthest to come to the show.

"We are so excited that they have come to support us," said BTRC Executive Director, Susie Schoellkopf. "We are so lucky to have the support of so many top trainers. This year is our biggest show to date; we have sold all of our stalls. It is such a great cause to help so many fantastic students."

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.

The show is an USEF 'AA' rated event and caters to all riding abilities, ages, and divisions. The BIHS has also gotten its approval from Equine Canada, so points earned in recognized hunter divisions at the BIHS will count towards qualification for the 2009 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

The BIHS committee is run by co-chairs Jennifer Burger and Wendy Schutte, who are joined by Merideth Lipke, Candy Bredenberg, Darlene Coats, Kelli Dochstader, Kim Griswold, Jimmie Hudson, Stephanie Karvannaris, Susie Lenahan Kimberly, Carlisle Lipke, Beth Lynn, Betsy Mitchell, Sharon O'Neill, Phil Rimmler, Susan Schoellkopf, Donna Steinwachs, and Michele Trolli.

"The committee chairs, Jennifer and Wendy, have done such a fantastic job for the Buffalo International Horse Show," Schoellkopf said. "We can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings."

For 2009, the prize money continues to play a generous role in every classic, such as the $1,000 "Full Monty" Adult Hunter and $1,000 "Shogun" Children's Hunter Classics, as well as the popularly successful $2,500 2'6" IBM Silver Stirrup Classic, the $2,500 "Winston" Handy Hunter Classic, the $2,500 M&T Bank Children's/Adult Jumper Classic, the $2,000 Up the Creek Junior Hunter Classic, the $1,000 Groom's Class and the $500 "Full Monty" Pony Hunter Classic.

The show features competition for hunters, jumpers and equitation in their ample and spacious indoor arena. The BIHS is the perfect opportunity for competitors and horses of all ages and experience to show in an indoor arena before this year's fall indoor show circuit, as well as regional and zone finals.

The indoor arena at BTRC is 250 by 190 feet long. It has an indoor schooling area, along with a show ring of fully decorated jumps and boxes of seats along one long side. It is similar to other indoor rings and gives horses more experience dealing with activity so close to the show ring.

For more information, please visit www.thebtrc.org.