Buffalo, NY and Ocala, FL – February 11, 2013 – The bay Brandenberger mare, Maggie May, has made a name for herself through the varying Florida horse shows this Winter circuit. With professional rider Jennifer Alfano’s careful guidance, Maggie May took top call throughout the First Year Green Working Hunter division, nabbing the championship at HITS IV Ocala Winter Classic. SBS Farms, Inc. has shown great success throughout Jacksonville and Ocala in both the hunter and jumper rings.
It was a crisp morning as Maggie May, owned by Billie Steffee, took her turn at the beautifully designed hunter course at the HITS IV Ocala Winter Classic. After stealing the show last week in Jacksonville, all eyes were on the bay mare as she showcased her talent with Alfano in the irons. They were awarded the first and third place ribbons in the over fences, as well as taking the third place finish in the handy class. It was Maggie May’s beautiful rhythm that earned the pair the third place in the under saddle, sealing the championship.
“She was really great; she went to Jacksonville, and it was her first time competing there this year. I was so proud of her when she took the championship there, but even more so when she took it this week in Ocala,” Alfano explained. “Ocala can be a little intimidating, but she went in the ring and was exceptional.”
Alfano continued, “She really is a different horse; she has matured a lot. Last year, the jump was definitely there, but we just needed another year to make her more rideable. She has an exceptionally big stride, which is great, but it took her a long time to really get it all together. We spent the year making her more consistent. She is a really special horse.”
Alfano also showed the talented Miss Lucy, owned by Helen Lenahan, in the High Performance Working Hunters. With two blue ribbon wins and a second place over fences, it was no wonder that the duo rode to the tricolor award. It was the third place ribbon for their handy course and the under saddle that gave them the edge to take home the reserve championship.
“She was perfect as usual; she is always great. She is the horse that gives 110 percent every single time she enters the ring. Lucy aims to please; she wants to make everyone happy all the time,” Alfano said.
Timber Ridge made his appearance in the Green/Regular Conformation Hunters with Alfano. Owned by Shane George, the beautiful horse captured two third place ribbons and the fourth place ribbon over fences, also winning the fourth place ribbon in the under saddle.
It was the young Rose Hill, owned by Sharon O’Neill, who truly topped the competition during HITS IV Ocala Winter Classic’s Devoucoux Hunter Prix. Out of a field of 45 entrants, Alfano piloted the mare to the third place finish. They earned a score of 87 during the first round, and combined with their score of 88 points in the second round they took the yellow ribbon. “She was great. It is great to have her back, and she is just getting back into action. We are going to continue to show her in the upcoming events, and she is going to be a strong mount.”
In the jumper ring, Jessica Litfin navigated Dream Team, owned by the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, to the Low 18-35 Adult Jumpers Championship. Aboard the Warmblood mare, Litfin rode to the top of the leaderboard with blazing times and accuracy. The pair rode to two first place finishes, and broke the beam for the second place win, as well. With their insurmountable lead, they led the victory gallop as the division’s champions.
Based out of Buffalo, NY, SBS Farms’ Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano run one of the foremost show hunter training operations in the country, and travel nationwide to compete in the nation’s most prestigious horse shows. SBS Farms, Inc. continues the proud tradition of the Saddle and Bridle Club as one of the top show stables in the northeast. Schoellkopf is also the Executive Director of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, which houses both The Buffalo Equestrian Center as well as SBS Farms. Built in 1922, the 160-stall facility is a historical landmark, with its unique English Tudor and gothic style architecture. For more information on SBS Farms and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org.
Kendall Bierer for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
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