Competition at the 72nd annual Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) continued on Thursday with many divisions crowning their respective champions. The excitement from Wednesday’s competition carried over to Thursday, where Ashley Hotz and Le Diplomate brought home the championship title in the Performance 3’3″/3’6″ Hunter division.
Ashley Hotz and Le Diplomate. Photo by Jess Windhurst Photography
Hotz and Le Diplomate, owned by Michelle Gauchat, earned the tricolor after receiving a first and fifth place over fences and a first place on the flat. The reserve championship in the division was awarded to Sarah Barge and KT Caraco, owned by STA Enterprises, LLC. The pair received a first place in the handy round as well as a second and fourth place over fences to clinch runner-up honors.
Jennifer Alfano emerged victorious in the $1,500 Robert James Sales USHJA Pre-Green Hunter Incentive, where she took home the top three spots in the class. Alfano scored the blue riding Talladega, owned by Sharon O’Neill, and was awarded second place aboard her own mount, Cooper. She claimed third place riding Kathy Chiaf’s Kindred.
Jennifer Alfano and Talladega. Photo by Jess Windhurst Photography
Barge and Marvelous, owned by Christine Steer, maintained their lead in the High Performance/Green 3’6″/3’9″ Hunter division, earning two first place ribbons over fences on Thursday to secure the championship tricolor. Reserve champion was awarded to Alfano riding Talladega after the pair earned a second and a fourth place during Thursday’s portion of the division.
In the Green 3′ Hunter division, it was Justin Meyers who took home both the championship and reserve championship. Meyers rode Cool Heart, owned by Elizabeth Louisell, to the championship and his own mount, C Major, to the reserve championship.
Justin Meyers with Cool Heart and C Major. Photo by Jess Windhurst Photography
The $1,000 Grooms class, sponsored by Penelope Ayers, followed the day’s competition and awarded Shauna Pingrey top honors, representing Hasty Hills Farm. Marcella DuVol earned second place for Up The Creek Farm and Randi Byrd, representing SBS Farms, Inc., rounded out the top three.