Meredith Lipke Bartolone and Once and Again Triumph for Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship at Buffalo International Horse Show

Buffalo, NY - For the second year in a row, Buffalo native Meredith Lipke Bartolone rode her veteran partner Once and Again to the Grand Amateur-Owner hunter championship at the Buffalo International Horse Show.

Lipke Bartolone has been partnered with Once and Again for about four years, and their success continues to grow. They are under the tutelage of Jennifer Alfano and Susie Schoellkopf of SBS Farms Ltd.

"She could not have been any better. She's been such a great horse for me, and we had a great weekend," Lipke Bartolone said. "I was good this weekend, and she's always good, so it was nice. It all kind of clicked. Jen (Alfano) did her in the Regular Workings and had her perfectly tuned up."

She continued, "Sara knows her job very well, and if I basically leave her alone and let her do her job, everything goes well, all the time. Susie found her for me showing in the novice adult ring, and she's just turned into a phenomenal horse for me."

Lipke Bartolone also competed in the Amateur-Owner hunters with her other mount Churchill and earned top ribbons during both days of competition to take home the reserve championship as well.

In the Over 35 Adult Amateur hunter division, Charlene Graham piloted her own Future Stock to tricolor honors. A resident of Rochester, NY, Graham and her trainer Tony Sgarlata noted that they never miss showing at the Buffalo International Horse Show. Kara Badagnani and Sinful earned the tricolor in the 18-35 Adult Amateur hunter division.

"We've been showing here forever! Since I was knee-high in the Children's hunters," Graham said. "It's kind of an institution. We're always here, and Susie Schoellkopf does a great job making it so beautiful and fun to ride at."

Graham and Future Stock, also known as "Waffles," also proved victorious in the $1,000 Tell the Truth Adult Hunter Classic.

"She was just great today. She's really grown up a lot this year, and she was a really happy horse today. She loves the footing, she loves the ring," Graham explained.

In the $5,000 Up The Creek Pony Hunter Classic, Lindsay Ward of Milford, NJ, piloted Finally Mine to the two-round victory with a score of 155. The pair earned first and second over fences during the first day of commpeition in the Medium Pony Hunters, as well as first place in the hack. Their success continued into their classic rounds to best a field of eight riders and ponies for the win.

Competition at the BIHS will continue Saturday morning with the Small and Large Junior hunters.

The Buffalo International Horse Show benefits the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, and is one of the largest fundraisers for the program. For more information, please visit www.ryegate.com/BTRC/index.htm.

PHOTO CREDIT: Meredith Lipke Bartolone with Once and Again and Churchill, champion and reserve champion in the Amateur-Owner hunter division at the Buffalo International Horse Show. Photo(C)2007 Randi Muster.