Buffalo, NY - September 17, 2004 - Beth Lynn of Buffalo, NY and her mount ‘Sooner' earned the Adult Amateur Hunter Over 35 Championship and the Grand Adult Amateur Championship 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.

Lynn, a Buffalo Equestrian Center board member, is trained by Jennifer Alfano. Reserve Championship honors in the Adult Amateur Hunter Over 35 Division went to Peggy Fitzgerald of Ontario, Canada aboard ‘Eye Candy.' In the Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Division, Samantha Hallman of Wellington, FL took both the Championship and Reserve on ‘Lucky' and ‘Lanstorm,' respectively.

The tough Amateur Owner Hunter Over 35 Championship was awarded to Judy Murch of Kirkland, OH on ‘Night Game.' Merideth Lipke of Buffalo, NY rode ‘Once And Again' to the Reserve placing.

‘Centerfield' came through with the Amateur Owner Hunter 18-35 Championship for rider Kelley Corrigan of Chagrin Falls, OH. The Reserve in the division was given to ‘Sunlight' and Amie Rosenthal, also of Chagrin Falls, OH.

Caroline Brennan took the victory gallop in the Charles Owen Adult Medal class. Second place went to Dawn Crogan, while the yellow ribbon for third went to Lucinda Finley.

"The highlight today was on amateur riders and we had a fabulous day of exciting show action," stated Susan B. Schoellkopf, Executive Director of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center and Buffalo Equestrian Center. "Tomorrow during the day we'll see wonderful junior and pony riders jumping challenging courses, while the evening performance will feature the $3,000 Handy Hunter Classic and $1,000 Children's/Adult Jumper Classic."

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