"Each year, after the show season is over, we review how things went and everyone's feedback. And, for sure, 'more prize money' in the Grand Prix was a request by many, so it became priority for us to make it happen," said show owner and manager Alex Rheinheimer. "Prize Money dictates how many points riders earn toward the Rolex Computer Ranking List. How high you are on the ranking list determines whether or not you have a chance at representing the USA internationally. By raising our prize money to $40,000 each week, the classes carry a greater value; and we were able to do this because several loyal supporters increased their sponsorship."
Horse Shows by the Bay Series I-IV, July 2-27 at Flintfields Horse Park, also features coveted awards and prize money throughout the jumper sections, rewarding the young and young-and-heart from the Young Jumper classes to the Low Children's and Adult Amateurs.
Top grand prix jumper riders returning to Horse Show by the Bay include international veterans such as Molly Ashe, Kim Farlinger, Wilhelm Genn, Charlie Jacobs, Alison Robitaille and Beth Underhill, as well as nationally ranked professional, amateur and junior riders such as David Beisel, Kristy and Kalvin Dobbs, Lisa Goldman, Erin Haas, David Jennings and Brian Shook.
Each week the $10,000 Positive Step Farm Open Jumper Welcome Prix will be a featured event in the Grand Prix Ring. In addition, speed-loving horses can vie for the $2,500 purse during the weekly 1.40m Open Speed Stake, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone.
Junior and Amateur riders will also be competing for more prizes and money. Thanks to Schreiber Corporation, the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic prize money has now increased by $10,000, with each weekly purse now $7,500, up from $5,000 last year.
High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper riders will also be competing for $10,000, the purse each week during their SJHOF Jumper Prix.
The exciting North Face Farm $10,000 NAL/WIHS Children's/Adult Amateur Jumper Prix returns during Series IV as the show's culminating jumper feature on Sunday afternoon.
In addition, Horse Shows by the Bay offers weekly qualifiers for NAL/WIHS Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper finals, Take2 and the Young Jumper Championships.
Grand Prix Events and Dates
• $40,000 Grand Prix of Traverse City - Sunday, July 6
• $40,000 Grand Traverse Bay Grand Prix - Sunday, July 13
• $40,000 Grand Prix of the Great Lakes - Sunday, July 20
• $40,000 CMJ Sporthorse Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix - Saturday, July 26
"I'm so thankful for the many sponsors who help to make Horse Shows by the Bay so special for our exhibitors," said Rheinheimer. "The support we receive each year is what makes the added prize money and additional awards possible."