Tag Archives: Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center

George Morris Returns to the BTRC This November for Educational Seminar

George H. Morris will conduct an educational clinic at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center November 9-11, 2012. Photo By: Lauren Fisher

Buffalo, NY – September 28, 2012 – The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) is pleased to announce that their annual educational clinic with the renowned George H. Morris will take place the weekend of November 9, 10, and 11, 2012. This educational seminar is part of the USHJA Trainer Certification Program.

Held at the BTRC facility in Buffalo, NY, 24 riders will have the opportunity to partake in this event by participating in three groups of eight riders (Intermediate, Advanced, Jumper). The spots for the clinic filled up immediately; however, auditor spots are still available to gain knowledge from the esteemed Morris through observation, and a waiting list is available for riders should a spot become available.

Spots are available for auditors at $75 per person per day or $200 for all three days. Applications for auditing are available by contacting the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center at (716) 877-9295.

Continue reading George Morris Returns to the BTRC This November for Educational Seminar

Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Hosts 2012 Mindy Bower and Melanie Taylor Horsemanship Clinic

Buffalo, NY – September 5, 2012 – As the time draws near to the 66th Annual Buffalo International Horse Show, the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center has been filled with nothing short of anticipation and excitement. Riders gathered on August 24, 2012 for a three-day session horsemanship clinic with Melanie Smith Taylor and Mindy Bower. The clinic welcomed riders from beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, providing riders with opportunities to gain knowledge and further experience with their riding skills, as well as to extend their understanding of the horse itself.

The clinics’ goals revolved around the students becoming more complete in their knowledge of horsemanship both on the ground and mounted. Melanie Smith Taylor is a renowned rider, instructor and clinician. She has ridden to the bronze medal finish on the United States Olympic team, has won the World Cup finals, does the NBC commentary for the Olympic Games, and created the TaylorMade Horsemanship Foundation, which has started clinics throughout the country.

Continue reading Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Hosts 2012 Mindy Bower and Melanie Taylor Horsemanship Clinic

Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center to Host Annual George H. Morris Educational Seminar in November

Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center will host George Morris at their Buffalo, NY, facility to teach an educational seminar this November. Photo © Kenneth Kraus

Buffalo, NY – October 21, 2011 – The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) is pleased to announce their annual educational clinic with the renowned George H. Morris will be taking place the weekend of November 11, 12, and 13, 2011. Held at the BTRC facility in Buffalo, NY, the opportunity to partake in this event will be open to three groups of eight riders (Intermediate, Advanced, Jumper), as well as auditors seeking to gain knowledge from the esteemed Morris through observation. Spots are available for auditors at $75 per person per day or $200 for all three days. Applications for auditing are available by contacting the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center at (716) 877-9295.

A legendary horseman and current Chef d’Equipe of the United States Show Jumping Team, Morris has played an integral role, not only in the development of countless renowned horses and riders, but also in the development of the current equestrian sport. He has often been referred to as the founding father of hunt seat equitation. Second to none, his teachings, technique, and style are revered around the world. Over the course of his career, Morris has been highly successful as a rider, coach, clinician, author, and judge. His insight and guidance are invaluable to anyone looking to further their riding skills, whether as a participant or as an auditor. The clinic will focus as much on horsemanship as it does on riding, offering attendees firsthand knowledge for success.

The daily clinic schedule will include the first group of intermediate riders from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by advanced riders from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The final group of jumper/demo riders will commence at 2:30 and run until 4:30 p.m.

Continue reading Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center to Host Annual George H. Morris Educational Seminar in November

Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Receives Gray & Jerry Fadden Horse Whisperer Grant

Students at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. Photo Courtesy of the Client.

Buffalo, NY – September 6, 2011 – The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) is pleased to announce that it recently received the prestigious Gray & Jerry Fadden Horse Whisperer Grant from the EQUUS Foundation. Each year, the EQUUS Foundation awards grants to charitable organizations that promote the positive use of the horse for the benefit of the general public. BTRC strives towards this goal as it promotes the unique bond between horses and people that can be particularly meaningful to children with disabilities.

The grant was presented to the BTRC in the amount of $5000, which was based on the EQUUS Foundation’s knowledge and understanding of BTRC and its unique program. “We are just so grateful for their generosity,” commented Susan B. Schoellkopf, Director of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. “We can’t do the program without the support of a foundation like EQUUS. Lynn Coakley and Jenny Belknap Kees have been so supportive of the program, and it continues to grow by leaps and bounds every year. Over the last year, this grant allowed our program to serve about 80 more children, and we hope to see the same growth during the coming year.”

Based in Buffalo, New York, BTRC provides a safe, relaxing and non-academic environment for children with physical and mental disabilities to interact with horses, volunteers and peers. The grant will be used for scholarships, as approximately 80% of the children who participate are economically disadvantaged and unable to afford the lessons. BTRC is a PATH International Premier Center, which is the highest level of certification available to charities providing therapeutic riding to individuals with disabilities.

Operating out of Buffalo, New York, BTRC is a non-profit organization that promotes and teaches horseback riding – noted for its social and therapeutic benefits – to disadvantaged and emotionally challenged children. Since 1990, the center has provided the experience of riding and caring for horses to children with a variety of disabilities. The program has expanded steadily and currently serves more than 170 children annually.

For more information on Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

SBS Farms’ Susan Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano Honored at USHJA Convention

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy. Photo © 2010 PMG

Buffalo, NY – December 14, 2010 – Susie Schoellkopf of SBS Farms at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center in Buffalo, NY, was honored this past week at the USHJA Annual Meeting, which was held on December 6-9, 2011. Schoellkopf was given the President’s Distinguished Service Award at the USHJA Evening of Equestrians Awards Dinner for the second year in a row.  SBS Farms’ Jennifer Alfano was also awarded at the dinner, as she earned The Rider Recognition Award for 2010.  This award is given for the most money won as a Hunter rider and her cash earnings were just above $400,000.

The President’s Distinguished Service Awards were developed in 2006 to acknowledge and honor the dedication and service of volunteer members to both the USHJA and the sport. 2010 marked the second year for Schoellkopf to win the USHJA’s President’s Distinguished Service Award, as she was also the recipient of this award in 2009. Schoellkopf is the chair of the Open Hunter Task Force and a member of the Hunter Restructure Committee, the Hunter Zone Council, the High Performance Hunter Committee, and the Junior Hunter Task Force. She is also on the USEF Drugs and Medication committee and serves as chair of the Zone 2 Hunter Committee.

Continue reading SBS Farms’ Susan Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano Honored at USHJA Convention