Kacey McCann and Jennifer Alfano Prepare for 59th Annual Buffalo International Horse Show

Buffalo, NY- August 30, 2005- It has been a busy and very successful year for junior rider Kacey McCann and professional Jennifer Alfano. Both ride for SBS Farms Inc. with trainer Susie Schoellkopf and have trekked up and down the East Coast to compete at some of the top horse shows in the country. This September 14-18, however, they will be competing at their home base in the 59th Annual Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS).

The Buffalo International Horse Show is held at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC). It is a historical farm that features a large indoor arena for a comfortable showing experience and competition that hosts top riders and horses. BIHS is one of the largest fundraisers for the BTRC. It is also 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.

McCann and Alfano will use the opportunity to get their horses ready for “Indoors” and spend time at their home farm. McCann, a 15 year old from Palmyra, PA, commented, “Showing in Buffalo definitely helps for Indoors. You have to get used to the whole atmosphere after showing outside all year.” Alfano added, “There are signs and posters hanging in the ring. It makes it a little more spooky than usual, so it’s great practice for Indoors.”

Although McCann’s home is in Pennsylvania, she does spend some time in Buffalo for training. Most of the year, however, is spent traveling to various horse shows. “I stay in Buffalo for a little while in the spring and for a few weeks in the fall for the horse show here before Harrisburg,” she explained.

At the 2004 BIHS, McCann cleaned up in the junior divisions. On Barbara Kearney’s Shogun, she was crowned the Grand Junior Hunter Champion. In addition, she was named Best Child Rider of the show. McCann won multiple equitation classes on her horse, My Way, and was Children’s Jumper champion on Mick O’Angelo, owned by the BTRC.

This year, McCann has been one of the top junior riders in the country. She rode Jonathan and Jeffrey Phillips’ Trebuchet to the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunter championship at the 2005 Show Circuit Magazine/USEF National Junior Hunter East Coast Finals and was named Best Child Rider at the Saratoga Classic Horse Show series.

Alfano is originally from Harrisburg, PA, but has been a 15 year resident of Buffalo, NY. She has continued her dominance in the professional rated hunter divisions with such horses as GG Valentine, owned by Barbara Kearney of Placerville, CO, Gandolf, owned by Helen Lenahan of Buffalo, NY, Trebuchet, owned by the Phillips of Potomac, MD, and Once and Again, owned by Merideth Bartolone of Buffalo, NY. In the Pre-Green division, she showed Breitling, owned by Jennifer Burger of Snyder, NY, and Good Company, owned by SBS Farms. She won championships from Ocala, FL, to Atlanta, GA, to Saugerties, NY, and will be the one to beat in Buffalo.

The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center also houses the Buffalo Equestrian Center, which has a riding lesson program and holds summer camps every year. The BIHS is a great way for many of these riders and customers of SBS Farms who do not travel to compete in an ‘AA’ show. “It’s nice for us to be home and for our customers to all come and watch each other compete,” Alfano acknowledged.

The BTRC undergoes a dramatic change from a quaint, historical farm to the site of a major horse show every year. “They go all out,” said Alfano. “The place gets cleaned, painted, and decorated from top to bottom. It looks beautiful, and they do a great job.”

“They” are the people who make up the Board of Directors and Show Committee of the 59th Annual BIHS. The Chairwoman of BIHS is Jennifer Burger, and committee members include: Merideth Bartolone, Trish Bookbinder, Candy Bredenburg, Missy Cleary, Darlene Coats, Dawn Crogan, Lucinda Finley, Joan Jacobs, Stephanie Karvannaris, Barbara Kearney, and Beth Lynn. Other members who help with the Red Carpet Club are Ken Best, Jeanne Best, and Robert Gioia. The Grounds Committee is comprised of Candy Bredenberg, Jimmie Hudson, and Sharon O’Neill, while the Sponsors Committee consists of Merideth Bartolone, Jennifer Burger, and Susie Schoellkopf.

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: Kacey McCann and her horse, My Way, will compete at the 59th Annual BIHS. Photo by James Leslie Parker.