On June 22, dressage riders will step into the spotlight to kick-off events at this year's six-week Festival. Dressage by the Bay Series I and II, June 22-24, are two back-to-back USDF Level 3-rated dressage competitions. The shows will include a variety of qualifying and special classes.
The featured event of Dressage by the Bay is the $2,500 FEI Musical Freestyle, which takes place on Saturday, June 23 at 5 p.m. in the R.L. Polk Family Ring. Defending Intermediaire and Grand Prix Freestyle winner Yvonne Barteau is expected to make a return appearance traveling from Illinois with her mounts owned by Grand Prix Equestrian.
One week later, on July 4, begins four consecutive USEF AA-Hunter/Level 4 Jumper shows known as Horse Shows by the Bay Series I-IV. The HSBB Hunter/Jumper Series will be hosting riders, trainers, owners, sponsors and vendors from all parts of country, representing 35 states, Canada and Mexico. More than $550,000 in total prize money is being awarded with the feature event each week being the $30,000 Show Jumping Grand Prix.
Additional showcase competitions include the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, a weekly $10,000 Open Jumper Prix, a weekly Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix of varying prize money, and plenty of other show jumping and hunter classics for every skill and level of play.
Several Olympic show jumping stars are expected to attend, including Lisa Jacquin, Beth Underhill and the North American Riders Group President Chris Kappler. Additional Grand Prix riders scheduled to attend are Molly Ashe, Allison Robataille, Charlie Jacobs, Denise Wilson, David Beisel plus the 2011 Grand Prix of Traverse City winner, Brian Shook, among others.
The very best in the professional Hunter world will also be traveling to Traverse City this summer, including Peter Pletcher, Carl Weedon, Greg Crolick, Cookie Beck, Tammy Provost and Kelley Farmer.
For the first time, the HSBB Festival includes Reiners, and they'll be concluding the HSBB Festival with their Reiners by the Bay, an NRHA-approved show, that takes place August 3-5. Reiners by the Bay includes a 4-, 5-, & 6-year-old Derby, a 3-year-old Futurity, two full slates of ancillary classes as well as HSBB ladies, men's, and green reiner opportunity classes that do not require association memberships for those riders wanting to give reining a try.
Spectators will be entertained by many special events throughout the HSBB Festival, including Kid's Day, Saturday July 7, and Family Day, Saturday July 21. In addition to watching top horses compete, spectators will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of special entertainment and events, and children under age 18 are admitted free of charge.
For more information on Horse Shows by the Bay, including a complete list of events, hotel partners, sponsors and spectator information, please see: www.horseshowsbythebay.com.