Buffalo, NY - September 16, 2004 - Robert Bielefeld of Ithaca, NY and Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY, continued their battle in the hunter ring today at the 58th Buffalo International Horse Show. Located at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center in upstate New York, this historic event runs from September 15 to 19. The Center is located on 950 Amherst Street, a short distance from the NY Thruway.

Taking the Regular Working Hunter Championship and overall Grand Hunter Championship was 'GG Valentine,' owned by Barbara Kearney and piloted by hometown hero Jennifer Alfano. Carol Sollak's 'Done Deal,' ridden by Bielefeld, was the Regular Working Hunter Reserve Champion. Alfano also won the Green Working Hunter Championship aboard Helen Lenahan's 'Gandolf,' while Amanda Knowles 'Lasko' was declared the Reserve Champion. Hyde Moffatt was in the stirrups aboard 'Lasko.'

"My horses were super today," Alfano stated. "I couldn't be more pleased with their performances. To have them win here in Buffalo is very special for me. I'm glad that I could get the job done for their owners."

Bielefeld had a great show with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jansen's 'Nassau' and took home the Pre-Green Hunter Championship. The Reserve Champion in the hotly contested division went to 'Valentino' owned by Kristin Wilson and ridden by Scott Benning.

'South Beach,' owned by Crailin Stables and ridden by Jesse Cottrell, jumped to Championship honors in the Low Hunter Division. A tie for the Reserve Championship was split between 'Follow This', owned by Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center and ridden by Kacey McCann, and 'Fresh Ground,' owned and ridden by Andy Lomker.

The Non-Pro Hunter Championship went to a happy Jenna Brinkworth riding 'Drum Roll,' owned by the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. Hawkestone Farm's 'Eye Candy' celebrated Reserve Championship honors in this division with Peggy Fitzgerald.

"Today we wrapped up several exciting and very competitive hunter divisions," said Susan B. Schoellkopf, Executive Director of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center and Buffalo Equestrian Center, "but we have a lot more jumping action in store. From Friday through Sunday, Amateur, Junior, and Pony riders will take center stage."

The host facility of the Buffalo International Horse Show is the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC). Built in 1921, it was then named the Buffalo Saddle and Bridle Club and served as a facility for arena polo. A non-profit organization, the BTRC provides vital services to differently-abled youth riders. The use of horses has long been proven as an excellent therapeutic method of assisting people with both physical and mental challenges to improve the quality of their lives. Some of the benefits of therapeutic riding include increased physical strength and stamina, a greater range of motion combined with the development of balance and posture, improvement of communication and social skills along with an increased attention span, and most importantly of all, an overall boost to confidence and self-esteem. The Buffalo International Horse Show benefits the BTRC, and is one of the largest fundraisers for the program.

A special event for riders and spectators this year at the show is the daily raffle to benefit the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. A series of fun and useful items will be given away each day including gift certificates to local restaurants, such as Oliver's. Other sought after items include a DVD player, a hunting horn, and sports massage certificates. Raffle tickets are sold daily at the show or you can e-mail Schoellkopf at SBEAT@aol.com to enter. Tickets are just $5 each, or five tickets for $20.

Daily admission to the show is free, but there is a small charge for the Saturday evening performance. For further information about events at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please contact Erin Wisler at (716) 877-9295. You can also visit and learn more online at http://ryegate.com/BTRC/index.htm .

Photo Credit: Randi Muster