Hundreds of highly trained horses will be descending upon Traverse City, MI, for a three-week United States Equestrian Federation-recognized hunter, jumper and dressage festival slated for July 12-30, 2006. A total of five recognized events will take place over the three week period offering $330,000 series prize money.
Horse Shows by the Bay, Series I, II and III are rated “AA-Hunter” and “Four Star-Jumper.” Show jumping highlights include a weekly regional level $25,000 grand prix, $10,000 Welcome Prix at Level 7, $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur Owner Prix, $2,500 Children and Adult Jumper Classics, $2,500 Junior/Amateur Owner Low Jumper Classics and $1,000 Young Jumper Qualifiers. Hunters compete weekly for $35,000 prize money with added classics featuring junior, amateur, children, adult and pony riders. Special classes include the Ride for the Ribbon $1,000 2’6” Hunter Classic, with proceeds donated to breast cancer research, and the D-BRAIDER $25,000 Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix.
Zada Enterprises, LLC, Dressage by the Bay is sanctioned by USEF, USDF and Equine Canada. The two show series is offered in conjunction with Horse Shows by the Bay, Series III. “We are very excited to again be hosting Northern Michigan’s only rated dressage event,” says Show Manager Alexandra Rheinheimer. “And we especially thank Zada Enterprises for the opportunity to expand our schedule.” Both shows offer double the chance to qualify for regional championships and year end awards.
Additional events include a silent auction to benefit Ride for the Ribbon, musical dressage exhibitions by local Michigan Dressage Experts, and a Kid’s Day featuring a petting zoo, K9 agility demo and a behind the scenes barn tour. Specialty vendors from all parts of the country are preparing to offer unique equestrian merchandise.
Facility grounds are located in the resort town of Traverse City, MI. Front Street hotels, shopping and restaurants are seven miles from the show venue. Traverse City is famous for their National Cherry Festival Cherry Harvest, award winning vineyards, casinos, golf courses, resorts and pristine beach front. On-ground functions include bagel breakfasts, wine and cheese socials and two exhibitor parties sponsored by Hillside Farm and Hampton Green Farm. Upgrades to the facility include the installation of a fourth all-weather show ring and warm-up area.
Horse Shows by the Bay, Series I, II, and III” and “Zada Enterprises, LLC, Dressage by the Bay, Series I and II are produced by Horse Sports by the Bay, Inc., based out of Wellington, FL. All told, the five events are expected to bring over four million dollars to the local Traverse City economy this July.
For more information and/or a prize list, visit www.horseshowsbythebay.com or call (561) 723-6287.
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