Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy made a clean sweep of the High Performance Hunter division at the Buffalo International Horse Show. Not only did the pair capture the division's championship, but they were also awarded the Grand Hunter Championship for their efforts throughout the professional division.(Kendall Bierer/PMG)
The hunter course today was designed by Brian Brown of Bloomfield, NY, and comprised of green foliage, natural fences, brick walls and wooden gates. It was the handy course that proved a challenge. The course began on a diagonal heading away from the in gate with a strong canter. A hard right turn faced horse and rider with the white oxer on the outside line and then moved forward with riders taking a natural standalone vertical. They then made a left turn over a vertical and moved toward the serpentine of vertical-oxer combinations set at the far end of the ring. The course closed with a final white and stonewall oxer.
The morning commenced with the Green Working Hunter division where Elizabeth Boyd dominated. Boyd exhibited two mounts, riding to the 1-2 placings in each of the over fences today, securing the championship and reserve championship tricolors. Aboard Zandor, owned by Penelope Ayers of Far Hills, NJ, Boyd scored the first place finish in the over fences, as well as the red ribbon for a fantastic handy round. She bested herself, however, with Trendy, owned by Caroline Kellogg of Bedminster, NJ, capturing the first place finish for their picturesque handy ride.
"Zandor is from Europe, I bought him in late April at the HITS Horse Show. He was a jumper," Ayers explained. "This summer he had his start into the hunter world. He is a really fun ride, has a huge step, you have to be really quiet and let him find everything at a relaxed pace. Liza did a great job out there with him, and I am so happy to be able to bring him to such a wonderful show. It is great to come to horse show that is for such a good cause."
"He really felt great out there today, the course allowed for us to really show off his rideability, scope and had a lot of really good options," Boyd remarked. "I think Zandor is coming along beautifully. Trendy beat him in the handy, but I think it is just because he is a little further along. I have so much fun riding both, and being here has been such a treat."
The Conformation Hunters were the next to take their turn at the track, seeing great competition as they each showed off finesse and handiness throughout the courses. Alfano stepped into the limelight with Lions Paw, owned by Danny Robertshaw of Camden, SC. Her relationship with the thoroughbred gelding has been fairly recent, connecting with him at a request from Robertshaw.
"I thought Lions Paw was really good today. He started doing a couple of derbies this year, and I think that he has really grown to like the handy," Alfano described. "I have had such a good time riding him for Danny, and it is so great to help out Ron and Danny. They do so much for so many people that it is nice to be able to give back to them."
Alfano guided Lions Paw to two blue ribbons, and along with their three firsts and the third place ribbon in yesterday's competition, the pair secured the Conformation Hunter Championship. David Boley picked up the reserve championship with Phil In the Blank, owned by Ellen Bifano of Skaneateles, NY. They rode to an additional second and third place finish in today's over fences, exemplifying the hand gallop during the handy with a strong final oxer.
Alfano stole the show with Miss Lucy, owned by Helen Lenahan of Buffalo, NY, during the High Performance Hunters. No other pair could best the talented team. They made a clean sweep of the division, earning the High Performance Hunter Championship. Alfano and Miss Lucy were also presented with the prestigious Grand Hunter Championship for their stellar efforts in the professional hunter divisions. Megan Holiday and Nureev Do Houssoit, owned by Up the Creek Farm of Rochester, NY, earned the reserve championship.
"Miss Lucy went great today, it is really funny actually, you never know how they are going to go when they are at home, sometimes it can be more challenging," Alfano said. "She went fantastic both days, and she went beautifully as usual, and deserved to win the Grand Champion."
The first day of the Amateur-Owner Hunters got underway this afternoon. Katie Robinson and Rock Steady, owned by K J Robinson LLC of Wellington, FL, secured the first place win in the handy round, as well as the top finish in the under saddle. Ayers also showed to a first place finish in the first round over fences with Cezanne, as well as the second place in the under saddle.
"I have been showing Rock Steady for two years, and he has been really great this year," Robinson explained. "I gave him a two-month break. This was a really great experience for us, to get back out there and get the experience. I think that he will be really well prepared for Indoors, and he went beautifully today."
"The courses were great, the ring is big, the facility is beautiful, and the course today really allowed for you to keep a strong pace. I have been coming here since I was a child and did schooling lessons. This facility holds such strong memories for me, and Buffalo is where my roots are," Robinson concluded.
Rachel Clawson proved to be unstoppable during the Performance 3'6"-3'9" Performance Hunters. She earned two first place ribbons and the second place ribbon over fences with Montenegro, owned by B & B Ltd. Of Skaneateles, NY, also earning the first place ribbon in the under saddle. The pair was awarded the championship for the division, and Clawson also took home the reserve championship for her efforts aboard Fortune Hunter, owned by Up the Creek Farm of Rochester, NY.
"Up the Creek is so thrilled to have the opportunity to have the ride on Montenegro. This was my first time not only showing him, but also showing in Buffalo, it really is a great show, and such a wonderful way to prepare for the upcoming Indoors," Clawson explained. "Monty is such a relaxed horse, he is able to go forward and come back easily, he is wonderful to ride, and also beautiful to watch.
As the hunter riders finished their second day of competition, the jumpers were only just beginning. Brown built a challenging hunter course for the Level 2 Jumpers, with a tight time allowed of 70 seconds. The jump off saw six riders, of which only three were able to go double clear. The first to successfully master both courses was Andrea Bennett of Orchard Park, NY, aboard Caliente. She completed the jump off in 41.565 seconds. Although Luke Olsen piloted Dream Team to a speedy round, he tripped the timer in 42.557 seconds, falling into the second place position.
It was Lauren Adornetto aboard Hannah Schwartz's Ramon who bested the rest. As the final rider in the ring, she successfully moved into the jump off leaving all rails intact during the first course. She then used Ramon's pace, and quick turns to shave seconds off their time and ride to a time of 40.948 seconds to secure the blue ribbon finish.
"My plan going in today was to get Ramon around safe, clean and ready to work for the weekend," Adornetto explained. "He can turn on a dime from anywhere-he is so generous and such a great ride. He is very light and powerful, he has so much talent."
The Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions will conclude tomorrow, naming their champion, as well as host the $1,000 "Full Monty" Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic. The Adult Amateur Hunters will get underway with their division and $500 "Shogun" Adult Hunter Classic. In the evening, onlookers will have the opportunity to watch the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Demonstration and enjoy the $1,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Silver Stirrup Classic, Children's/Adult Jumpers and Low Children's/Adult Jumpers.
For more information about the Buffalo International Horse Show or the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center please visit www.thebtrc.org.