SBS Farms and Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Help Keep Property Beautiful and Relevant in Downtown Buffalo

Buffalo, NY- August 12, 2005- Located at 950 Amherst Street in the heart of downtown Buffalo, the Buffalo Saddle and Bridle Club was originally built in 1921 for equestrians to use as an indoor polo facility. After years of being one of the top stables in the Northeast, it has been renamed the Buffalo Equestrian Center (BEC) and is home to the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) and SBS Farms, Inc. BTRC also hosts one of the most historic indoor shows in the country, the Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS). The 59th Annual Buffalo International Horse Show is being held this year on September 14-18.

The Buffalo Saddle and Bridle Club was built by a group of investors and was originally a private club with such well known equestrians as founding member Harry H. Hall. The building has since been given the title of “Buffalo Landmark” by the Buffalo Preservation District. While it was initially built for use by some of Buffalo’s wealthiest families, it was changed into an Army truck depot during World War II. After the war, the facility was open to the public, serving as a boarding and riding stable for local equestrians.

In 1980, Susie Schoellkopf, president of SBS Farms Inc., returned to her hometown and leased part of the property of the old Buffalo Saddle and Bridle Club. Her father, Paul, had headed the Board of Directors at the facility for 20 years. “I grew up here in Buffalo, and I love living here. The local government has been very supportive of our efforts to restore the barn,” Schoellkopf related. “It would be very sad to see this place go. It is one of the few barns left in the middle of a city.” In 1989, the facility was donated to the BTRC, and Schoellkopf was asked by the Board of Directors to become the executive director of the facility. Today, the land is owned by the not-for-profit BTRC, and the Buffalo Equestrian Center and SBS Farms lease part of the property.

When Schoellkopf took over the care of the facility in 1994, the old building was in disrepair. Since then, major renovations have taken place to keep the farm in working condition. One half of a wall that used to have glass squares was replaced in 2001 with plexiglass panels that let in more light than the old glass wall. The barn has had a complete electrical overhaul, and the property was given a federal grant to redo the drainage system and fencing in the fields behind the barn. The horses now have the use of three immaculate paddocks and a state-of-the-art outdoor riding ring. The last major project to be finished before the BIHS in September is the refinishing of the outside stucco wall that has lasted since 1921. Problems in the wall are being repaired, and Schoellkopf stated that “it looks absolutely beautiful.”

“Our Board of Directors, headed by Meredith Bartolone, has raised money through foundations and private donations to repair and renovate this facility,” acknowledged Schoellkopf, “and Jennifer Burger, who is Chairman of the Buffalo International Horse Show, works year round and does a great job pulling it all together. All of our board members contribute to the success of the BTRC and the horse show.”

The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center has been the site of a therapeutic riding program for six years. The BTRC currently offers programs for mentally and emotionally impaired, learning disabled and developmentally challenged children from ages 6 to 16. Programs are designed and taught by Libby McNabb, an instructor registered with the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. (NARHA) and with Special Olympics. The program uses many famous ex-show horses that are donated to help teach children how to ride. “It’s amazing to see the horses step into another role and be happy,” Schoellkopf revealed.

The Buffalo Equestrian Center currently offers public riding lessons and summer camps. With all three programs- BTRC, BEC, and SBS Farms- the facility is quite unique. “It is one of the top show barns, offers riding lessons to children who don’t own their own horse, and has a wonderful therapeutic riding program. You don’t find that at most facilities and I think it’s great for all of the children who participate in these programs to see a different perspective,” Schoellkopf conveyed.

The 59th Buffalo International Horse Show, which is one of the largest fundraisers for the BTRC, is an ‘AA’ rated horse show and is considered great preparation for equestrians who will go on to show at Zone Finals and the fall indoor circuit of shows. The barn features a large indoor arena for a comfortable showing experience. The show will offer a large raffle, trophies for every class, a “Take Your Own Line” 3’ Hunter Classic on Saturday evening, and for the first time, a $500 Hunter Classic for both the Children’s and Adult Amateur Hunter divisions.

Photo Credit: Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center front entrance during renovations. PMG File Photo.