The Buffalo Horsemanship Challenge: Testing Equestrian Skills In and Out of the Saddle

By SARAH WELK BAYNUM, editor of the TPH blog

The Buffalo Horsemanship Challenge is a new program taking place at the Buffalo Equestrian Center in Amherst St. Buffalo, NY. It is open to all riders ages 10 and up.

The program focuses on practical riding skills and learning to know horses, both in and out of the saddle. The competition is divided into three phases: riding, a practical test, and a written test. Each part of the test represents a certain percentage of the overall score. For example, the riding and written parts of the test each represent 25% of the overall score, while the practical part of the test represents 50% of the overall score.

“The written exam consists of a series of about 30 questions, such as, ‘What are the different types of vaccines a horse can receive?’ There are also questions like, ‘Who is one of the Olympic riders who has competed in three World Cups?’ There are also questions that focus on basic horse knowledge that develops around riding,” says Mary Faith Michalovic, a 14-year-old junior rider. tells The Plaid Horse about his experience competing in the challenge.

For each of the different events, competitors are placed in different levels. However, it is not necessary to be at the same level for each part of the event.

“For the internship, for example, I was at level 2. I had to wrap polo shirts, put on boots and take apart a bridle and then put it back together correctly with all the parts. I also had to take a horse that I had never worked with and I had to walk him around the cones, make him trot, and then bring him back to the crossbars,” Michalovic explains.

The riding portion of the challenge is conducted similarly to a horse show, where riders must complete a course at different jump heights depending on the level they are competing at. The riding challenge for the riding portion is also based on horsemanship.

“It depends on the rider’s appearance and everything he does with his horse. There might be some backtracking in the course, or more bend lines than on a standard course, just so the judge can see how we work with our horse,” Michalovic explains.

It is also important to prepare in advance for this challenge, especially for the written part of the test.

“As I prepared for this year, I was a little nervous, but I also had a feeling of, ‘I’ve done this before and I know I can do it again!’ I went to USEF.com and printed out the 500-page equitation quiz last year after the equitation show. Since then, leading up to this year’s equitation show, I had been studying those pages for the written exam. I also practiced them because I need to know the tactics for doing a standing wrap and polos, for example. I even had my friends ask me questions to help me make sure I was retaining the information!” Michalovic says.

“I would say I approached the test, especially the written part, with a lot more confidence than last year. Confidence is key and for the bike part I ride six days a week to prepare for this challenge.”

Michalovic credits her coaches Chrissy Hannon and Molly Hannon for helping her achieve her goals for this challenge.

“They are my pillars. At some point I went through a mental block where things didn’t fit with what they were teaching me, they helped me get through it and allowed me to become the best version of myself when it comes to my riding skills!” Michalovic adds.

Michalovic currently rents a horse named Tightlines, known as Linus at the stable, with whom she participates in the riding challenge. However, she hopes to one day participate in the challenge on her own horse.

“I definitely want to continue riding. I love coming to the stables, it’s my favourite place. When I’ve had a stressful day, I come to the stables and I immediately feel relaxed just being with the horses,” Michalovic says.

For more information about the Buffalo Horsemanship Challenge, visit https://www.buffaloequestriancenter.org/buffalo-horsemanship-challenge/