"I was one of the original members of the founder's club and began supporting the show when it was in a grass field," said Jake with a smile. "I have nothing but positive things to say about the show and the facility from the very beginning."
Indeed, Jake was one of the first to come on board in support of Alex Rheinheimer's effort to establish a new United States Equestrian Federation AA-rated show series in Michigan. This year, the celebrated four-week HSBB Hunter/Jumper series runs from July 3-28 and will draw competitors from throughout the country to Traverse City, Michigan.
"I was one of the guys who brought in tons of equipment on my trailer to help any way I could," he said. "I was a cheerleader for them, and I really wanted to help make it happen, and it's been nothing but success from there on out."
The $10,000 North Face Farm Leading Hunter Rider Cash Bonus Award will be presented to the top-three riders who accumulate the most points throughout the series from the weekly $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby - sponsored by Walgreens at the Corner of Happy & Healthy and the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, hosted by the Gochman Family. Riders will receive points from their highest-placed horse in each class. Cash Bonus awards of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 will be awarded on Friday, July 26. Point chart and standings will be posted in the Horse Show Office.
"We are so thankful to have the North Face Farm family's continued support," said Rheinheimer, Horse Shows by the Bay owner and show manager. "This bonus is a wonderful way to reward our top hunter riders, and I'm so happy that North Face Farm has joined us in creating a special way to celebrate their talents during this milestone year. Throughout the years, North Face Farm's sponsorship has enabled us to improve our show and provide even more opportunities and prizes for our exhibitors."
Located in Chelsea, Michigan, North Face Farm is the home base for Jake and Anne Haas. Along with their two daughters, Erin and Sarah, the family makes horses and horse shows a central focus in their lives.
Anne's specialty shop Bead by Bead is a featured vendor at Horse Shows by the Bay as well as on other show circuits, while Sarah and Erin are dedicated and successful competitors. Erin is based at North Face Farm, and Sarah has her own boarding and training facility called Swept Away Farm in Temperance, Michigan.
Most recently, Erin took a break from her duties as an equine veterinarian to jump to victory in the $10,000 American Invitational Stake on April 4 in Tampa, Florida. She'll be returning to Horse Shows by the Bay to contest the amateur and open jumper competitions.
"Horse Shows by the Bay is a really, really wonderful show. It's well managed, and Karin Flint has made Flintfields Horse Park an outstanding show facility," said Jake. "This area presents a lot of activities for folks not at the show ring every day. We've been to Spruce Meadows (in Calgary, Alberta), and it's all about the adventure with plenty of activities for the rider and observers. Being here is similar. For four weeks we're able to enjoy this part of the country in Northern Michigan, and it becomes a family venue. We even bring our boat!"
Horse Shows by the Bay For 2013
The four-week Hunter/Jumper portion of the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival, July 3-28, is a United States Equestrian Federation AA-Hunter and Level 4 Jumper competition and attracts many of the country's best horses and riders.
This year's 10th Anniversary Festival will include a variety of special competitions and events in celebration of this special milestone.
Entries and stall reservations are taken on a first come, first-served basis from
April 1 until the supply of stalls is exhausted or June 1.
Riders will vie for a chance to win $600,000 in total prize money, in addition to fabulous prizes, circuit titles and year-end points through HSBB Series I-IV.
Each week the comprehensive schedule will feature: the $30,000 Grand Prix; $10,000 Positive Step Farm Open Jumper Welcome Prix; $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix; $5,000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic; Young Jumper Championship Qualifiers; AA-rated Hunter Sections; NAL/WIHS Classics; and much more.
The following new events and awards have been added to this year's schedule, and they include:
• $10,000 Hagyard Leading Jumper Rider Cash Bonus
• $10,000 North Face Farm Leading Hunter Rider Cash Bonus
• $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by Walgreens - At the Corner of Happy & Healthy, held weekly
• $2,500 CMJ Sporthorse 1.40m Speed Stake held weekly
• $1,000 PJP Farm, Inc., USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Qualifiers held weekly
• $2,000 Take-2 Thoroughbred Hunter Section (Series I & IV)
• $500 Take-2 Jumper Stake (Series I & IV)
Series III will showcase the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby hosted by the Gochman Family, and Series IV highlights will include the HJAM Equitation Medal Finals and the $10,000 Hagyard Children's/Adult Amateur Jumper Prix.
In 2012, Horse Shows by the Bay Series III was voted the United States Hunter Jumper Association Zone 5 AA-rated Horse Show of the Year. In addition, the North American Riders Group (NARG) named Horse Shows by the Bay to the coveted list of top-25 Horses Shows in North America for the third consecutive year.