Buffalo, NY - July 8, 2004 - On November 12 to 14, Olympic Silver Medalist and master clinician George Morris will give a clinic at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center in upstate New York. This will be the seventh time that Morris, a frequent coach of the U.S. Equestrian Team, has generously shared his knowledge at the center with aspiring riders from both America and Canada.

"George is a great clinician because he is such an incredible teacher," shared Susan B. Schoellkopf, Executive Director of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center and Buffalo Equestrian Center. "He can diagnose and correct each equestrian's faults and help provide a clear-cut answer to individual shortcomings. Plus, riding instructors can enjoy his wealth of knowledge which will help them teach their own students and bring out their full potential as riders and horsemen."

Dozens of Morris' students have gone on to national and international success. Many have followed in his footsteps and earned Olympic, as well as World Cup medals. As the author of several best-selling equestrian books, Morris has changed the way riders train and compete around the world.

The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, a non-profit organization, provides vital services to differently-abled youth and adult riders. The use of horses has long been proven as an excellent therapeutic method of assisting people with both physical and mental challenges to improve the quality of their lives. Some of the benefits of therapeutic riding include increased physical strength and stamina, a greater range of motion combined with the development of balance and posture, improvement of communication and social skills along with an increased attention span, and most importantly of all, an overall boost to confidence and self-esteem. Along with this clinic, ten horse shows and many other vital equestrian events are held at the facility throughout the year.

Located at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center is also the Buffalo Equestrian Center. First built in 1921 and named the Buffalo Saddle and Bridle Club, it served as a facility for arena polo. Encompassing an indoor riding arena, club room and viewing area, stables, paddocks, and state of the art outdoor riding ring, the center offers hunter seat lessons for beginner through expert riders of all ages. Each summer, a very special camp provides youth riders with solid instruction in riding and horsemanship skills. Additionally, the center is a homebase for many top athletes including Jennifer Alfano, a two-time winner of the World Hunter Rider Championship.

For further information and directions to the George Morris clinic on November 12-to 14, please contact Erin Wisler at (716) 877-9295. Due to the popularity of the event, only spaces for auditing are available. The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center is located on 950 Amherst Street, a short distance from the NY Thruway. Additional information about the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center and Buffalo Equestrian Center is available online at http://www.ryegate.com/ (click on btrc at the top of the page.)

Photo Credit: Cheryl Bender