October 10, 2011–SBS Farms returned home yesterday from the prestigious Capital Challenge Horse Show held in Marlboro, MD. The event has seen some of the most respected riders of the industry showing for the top honors in the competitive hunter divisions. SBS Farms’ professional rider and trainer Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy captured the judges’ attention in the High Performance Hunter division earning the reserve tricolor.
The nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding has built an extensive hunter record during his time with Alfano, winning events such as the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Devon Horse Show for two consecutive years. The talented duo claimed third place in their first three High Performance Hunter classes at Capital Challenge, as well as the first place prize in the High Performance Handy Hunter Stake. Their top awards earned the pair the reserve championship just behind Hunt Tosh and Rosalynn.
“I was really happy with our rounds at the Capital Challenge,” explained Alfano. “Jersey Boy and I have a great relationship, and we know what to expect from one another when we are out there. He was really good, a little spooky during the first class, which he can be; however, he stayed really consistent earning third in every class, and then won the handy. He was amazing in the handy, I was really happy with him.”
Aboard Helen Lenahan’s Miss Lucy, Alfano showed to the first and fourth place ribbons in the Second Year Green Working Hunter division against 25 competitors vying for the top honors. “Miss Lucy was very good, she got some great ribbons and did great during the stake. She was remarkable during our rounds; they were all very smooth and executed extremely well. Together we have come so far, and we are looking forward to the upcoming competitions.”
Michigan Avenue also had a successful week at the Capital Challenge with Alfano in the irons. The duo earned the fourth place award in the First Year Green Working Hunter division as well as the third place honors in the First Year Green Working Hunter Handy Stake.
“I was so happy with Michigan Avenue’s consistency, all of my horses performed spectacularly this week,” Alfano described. “We are taking things one at a time, but this week really gave me a sense of reassurance and confidence about showing them at the upcoming Indoors like the Alltech National Horse Show, they are definitely ready.”
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. Adding to their numerous accolades, Schoellkopf and Alfano both recently received prestigious awards; Schoellkopf was presented with the USHJA Presidents Distinguished Service Award, while Alfano was the highest grossing Hunter Rider in the country, as she earned over $400,000 last year.
For more information on SBS Farms, please visit www.thebtrc.org.
