Source:  PMG

 

 

Buffalo International Horse Show Just Around the Corner!

Buffalo, NY - With less than one week remaining, the Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) is making preparations to host its 65th annual hunter/jumper competition at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. The show will be held September 14-18, 2011, in downtown Buffalo, NY, at the home of the Buffalo Equestrian Center and SBS Farms Inc. The horse show will host a number of competitive classes featuring several which offer prize money. The BIHS is pleased to welcome all of their exhibitors for the 2011 event. Entries are at a record high, so please submit your information as soon as possible to be a part of this exciting horse show.

The entire show benefits the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center facility and therapeutic riding program, which has been inspirational for students over the last 10 years it has resided at the Buffalo Equestrian Center. Students from organizations such as Be A Friend (Big Brothers Big Sisters), Kids Escaping Drugs, and St. Mary's School for the Deaf are all participants of their program, with over 100 independent students challenged by autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome. The show would not be possible without the support of their exhibitors and sponsors, with all proceeds benefitting their exceptional program. Due to last year's show, over 600 lessons were given through their program.

"We make the conscious decision to use Buffalo as our warm-up for the Indoors circuit for several reasons. Not only do we love the city and how welcoming the entire staff at SBS is, but also because it is such a great cause," sponsor Penelope Ayres explained. "I know that Sandy Lobel and I have seen the demonstrations that some of the children in the therapeutic program and their instructors have done. It's really moving, and it brings home to all of us how lucky we are to be able to ride and have horses and be able to show and do what we do with no physical disabilities."

The five-day schedule features highlights for everyone to enjoy, including $25,000 in class prize money with $13,000 worth of hunter and jumper classics for children, adults, juniors, amateur-owners, ponies and professionals. The BIHS is an 'AA' Rated Horse Show and is supported by the Syracuse PHA, Ohio PHA, and WPPHA. Recently, BIHS received sanctioning as a Canadian rated horse show as well.

"We go to the Buffalo International Horse Show because it raises the bar for western New York. We want to see it thrive," local trainer Becky Bates noted. "We love the classes. They try to do something for every level."

Hunter riders can look forward to a wide range of classes. The highlights for hunter riders include the exciting $1,500 IBM Silver Stirrup Classic for Pre-Adult Hunters and Pre-Children's Hunters. Saturday night will feature the $2,500 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA 3' National Hunter Classic, a two round competition open to all riders and horses and ponies. The hunter classes will also feature the $500 "Shogun" Adult Amateur Hunter Classic, the $500 "Say Hey" Children's Hunter Horse Classic the $500 Children's Hunter Pony Classic, the $1,000 "Scribbles" Pony Hunter Classic, the $1,000 Up The Creek Farm Junior Hunter Classic, the $1,000 "The Full Monty" Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic. Also returning to the BIHS will be the $1,000 Ravenswood Grooms Class, a popular event from last year.

Jumper riders and their capable mounts will also have the opportunity to display their talent and compete for prize money. The Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper schedule features a $2,500 Up The Creek Farm Children's/ Adult Jumper Classic. The Low Children's and Adult Amateur Schedule also features a $1,000 Stephen Comunale Low Children's/ Adult Jumper Classic.

The anticipation continues to grow as the date approaches rapidly. The show has continued to grow in popularity, and is also Buffalo's most prestigious horse show.

The 'AA' rated show is one of the best ways for exhibitors to prepare themselves and their horses for the fall indoor circuit of finals. BIHS offers a large indoor arena for competition that gives horses and riders a chance to compete indoors before showing at the national finals in Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. or Kentucky. The horse show offers generous prize money in every division.

"I think they do a beautiful job in every aspect," Amanda Lyerly described. "This will be my fourth year showing at the Buffalo International Horse Show, and every year I am impressed. I think it is a great warm-up for Indoors. Not only are the rings pristine, the jumps beautifully decorated, but they really take their time to make the presentation special. They make you really feel like they want you there, like you are special and it's not just any other horse show."

Whether you attend as a prep for the indoor circuit and Zone finals or to cheer on your friends and family, BTRC and SBS welcomes you to their home and wishes you a fun and successful show. Make sure to get your entries in soon, so you can join in the excitement of the Buffalo International Horse Show.

For more information regarding the 65th Annual Buffalo International Horse Show, please visit www.thebtrc.org or call (716) 877-9295. Entries may be faxed to (716) 877-4001.