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Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Awarded The EQUUS Foundation's 2010 Gray & Jerry Fadden Horse Whisperer Grant

September 2, 2010

Buffalo, NY --- The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) of Buffalo, NY, is proud to announce that they have received the 2010 Gray and Jerry Fadden Horse Whisperer Grant from The EQUUS Foundation, Inc. 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.

BTRC is a North American Riding for the Handicapped (NAHRA) Premier Center, which is the highest level of certification available to charities providing therapeutic riding to individuals with disabilities. Approximately 90% of the children who participate are economically disadvantaged and unable to afford the lessons.

Susie Schoelkopf, Executive Director of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, commented on the EQUUS Foundation's generosity, explaining, "It means so much to us to receive this grant because anybody that is in the business of charity and having therapeutic riding programs knows that we have all been hit pretty hard with the economy. I think that any time we get someone like EQUUS that is behind us, someone that these kids can count on, it just means the world to all of us."

"With the extra funding we know that we can really fulfill more lives through the program," Schoelkopf continued. "It means that we can put more children into our program that cannot otherwise afford it and it just means a whole different life for them. Most of the kids that we get need the money to be involved. Our program has grown so much, it is huge now and I think people are discovering that it is really making a difference. It helps the kids with their self esteem and their balance on the horses, and there are just so many ways that therapeutic riding is helping people's lives. We have a huge need and a huge waiting list."

Image removed by sender. BTRC

The Board of Directors of The EQUUS Foundation, Inc. awarded grants to 60 charitable organizations that use the horse to benefit the public; promote the horse's health and welfare; and advance the equestrian sport. The EQUUS Foundation is dedicated to securing homes and useful lives for horses, enhancing the lives of people who benefit from horses, and educating the public on the significant impact horses have in our everyday lives.

The EQUUS Foundation provides direct financial support to horse and equestrian charities across the United States. Public Welfare Grants are awarded for therapeutic riding programs and other equine-assisted activities for individuals with physical, emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities; life-threatening or other serious illnesses; and underserved, economically-disadvantaged and "at-risk" youth.

"EQUUS does such a great job of reaching out and they have a new program now where everyone can put their program on their site and ask for volunteers," Schoelkopf acknowledged. "Every year they do something new and better and they just improve so much. Jenny Kees and Lynn Coakley have done a great job with that program and it means the world to us; they are amazing."

Adding to this fantastic grant, the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center will receive additional funding this year thanks to the Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS), which benefits the BTRC and its programs. This year the BIHS will host its 64th annual AA Rated Horse Show. The show is supported by the Syracuse PHA, Ohio PHA, and WPPHA and has also recently received sanctioning as a Canadian rated horse show. The show will be held on September 15-19 and will host a number of special classes in the large indoor arena, with great prize money and exciting competition.

The five day schedule features highlights for everyone to enjoy, including $15,000 worth of hunter and jumper classics for children, adults, juniors, amateur-owners, ponies and professionals. Exciting classes include a USHJA 3' Hunter Classic, Groom's Class and the Silver Stirrup Classic. This year the show will also proudly offer a $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Sunday afternoon.

For more information, please visit www.thebtrc.org or call (716) 877-9295.

Image removed by sender. BTRC

Photo Credit: Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center was awarded The EQUUS Foundation's 2010 Gray & Jerry Fadden Horse Whisperer Grant, which will help pay for scholarships for disadvantaged riders. Photo courtesy of client. Photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.

64th ANNUAL BUFFALO INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW FAST FACTS

EVENT: 64th Annual Buffalo International Horse Show, which benefits the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center.

WHAT: 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 Syracuse. The horse show offers generous prize money in every division.

Sanctioned and recognized by: United States Equestrian Federation, Rated 'AA' Hunter and 2* Jumper; Syracuse Professional Horsemen's Association; Ohio PHA; WPPHA. The show is great for equestrians to use in preparation for the fall indoor circuit and zone finals.

WHERE: Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, 950 Amherst Street, Buffalo, NY 14216

WHEN: September 15-19, 2010

HIGHLIGHTS: The Buffalo International Horse Show benefits the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, and is one of the largest fundraisers for the program.

THURSDAY:

$1,000 Ravenswood Groom's Class

FRIDAY:

$1,000 "The Full Monty" Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic

$500 "Shogun" Adult Hunter Classic

FRIDAY NIGHT (not before 6 p.m.)

$1,500 IBM Silver Stirrup Classic - 2'6"

SATURDAY:

$500 "Scribbles" Pony Hunter Classic

SATURDAY NIGHT (not before 6 p.m.):

$2,500 "Winston" USHJA National Classic

$2,500 Up The Creek Children's/Adult Jumper Classic

$1,000 Stephen Comunale Low Children's/Adult Jumper Classic

SUNDAY:

$1,000 Up The Creek Junior Hunter Classic

$500 "Say Hey" Children's Hunter Classic

SUNDAY NIGHT (not before 5:00 p.m.)

$10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

ADMISSION: Free for spectators, except for Friday and Saturday night events, where admission is $5 for adults and children 10 and under are free.

PARKING: Free on Amherst Street, on the grass on Great Arrow street, or in the school parking lot on Great Arrow.

VIP SEATING: Blue Carpet Club and Box Seating are available. The Blue Carpet Club offers tables overlooking the ring from the balcony. Only six tables are available, so please make reservations early. Tables are $200 for a table of six Wednesday - Sunday Afternoon (does not include the USHJA Derby) and $300 for a table of six for the entire show - including the USHJA Derby. Box seats offer the most superior seating choice available; the closest to the action ringside. Box seats are $500 for Wednesday - Sunday Afternoon (does not include the UHSJA Derby) and $600 for the entire show - includes the USHJA Derby. All Boxes include seating for six. Payment and order forms should be sent to: BIHS Blue Carpet Club and Box Seating, 950 Amherst Street, Buffalo, NY 14216.

VENDOR/TRADE: Champion awards are sponsored by EMO Insurance. Prizes for reserve champions are donated by The Hunting Horn of Penfield, NY, who is also the vendor for the horse show. Ribbons have been donated by HSBC Bank USA.

DIRECTIONS: From NY thruway/I-90, it is only 10 minutes to the horse show facility. From I-90, take Rt 33 West. Follow to NY-198 East/Scajaquada Expressway West. Follow 198 until the Route 384 North/Delaware Ave exit. At the stop light, turn right and immediately turn left at the next light, which puts you on Delaware Ave. Follow Delaware Ave. until Amherst Street. Turn left on Amherst Street, travel less 200 feet, and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center is on the right.

THE FACILITY: The Buffalo Saddle and Bridle Club was built in 1921 as an indoor polo arena. Today it is known as The Buffalo Equestrian Center (BEC) and features one of the largest indoor riding arenas in the nation. Located at 950 Amherst Street, in the heart of metropolitan Buffalo, it is now the home of The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Inc., The Buffalo Equestrian Center and SBS Farms, Inc. The five-acre site includes the indoor sand 120x90 riding arena, stables, paddocks and an outdoor riding ring. The spectacular barn offers permanent stalls for all horse show participants.

The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center has been the site of a therapeutic riding program for seven years. The BTRC currently offers programs for mentally and emotionally impaired, learning disabled and developmentally challenged children ages 6 to 16. Programs are designed and taught by Libby McNabb, an instructor registered with the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. (NARHA) and with Special Olympics. Volunteers are always needed and are an invaluable part of the program. They can assist with horse care and handling or can serve as a friend and side walker. For more information, please call (716) 877-9295.

The Buffalo Equestrian Center is part of The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. They continue the tradition of the Saddle and Bridle club, giving lessons to kids starting at age six through adult ages. The BEC holds clinics with Jennifer Alfano, hosts a summer camp, and is now a member of the IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association), where members of area middle schools and area high schools compete as a team at IEA shows in New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Lessons are given all year Tuesday through Sunday.

SBS Farms is also part of The BTRC, and Susan Schoellkopf is the owner. Susie serves as chairman of the Zone 2 committee, the chairman of the Open Hunter Task Force, she is a member of the Junior Hunter Task Force and the D&M committee. Susie is also a "R" rated hunter judge. Jennifer Alfano is the trainer for SBS. She is a two time World Hunter Rider Champion, she has won the International Hunter Derby Series for the past two years aboard Jersey Boy, and has won several USEF Horse of the Year awards. Jennifer has trained top amateur, junior and pony riders.

CONTACT:

Buffalo International Horse Show

950 Amherst St.

Buffalo, NY 14216

716-877-9295 (phone)

716-877-4001 (fax)

sbeat@aol.com

www.thebtrc.org

www.ryegate.com/BTRC/index.htm

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