Traverse City, MI - May 19, 2016 - The second year of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival is fast approaching, and entries for the show of the summer will close on June 1. This action packed series of show set in the beautiful city of Traverse City, Michigan, offer the perfect combination of equestrian competition and great family fun because of the many things to do in this popular vacation area of Northern Michigan. Because of the wonderful amenities, we expect a tremendous interest in this year’s circuit. Don’t be shut. Make sure your entries arrive in time for closing.
The first portion of the show series will kick off on July 6 and run until July 31. The new August addition of the show will run August 10-28, featuring two weeks of FEI 2* competition and one week of FEI 3* competition. The $25,000 U25 Grand Prix will also be added to the show schedule, set to take place on August 13.
Some of this year's other highlight events include:
• WCHR week July 13 - 17
• $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by the Gochman Family held July 30th.
• Weekly Glory Days Farm LLC USHJA National Hunter Derbies
• $25,000 Weekly Welcome Stake for July series
• $50,000 Weekly Grand Prix for July series
• $35,000 and $50,000 FEI classes Week V and VI
• $35,000, $40,000 and $100,000 FEI classes Week VII
• $25,000 U-25 Grand Prix August 13th presented by The Moy
To download an entry form, please click here.
To view the competition schedule, please click here.
For travel and housing information, please click here.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Brooke Berganza at brooke.berganza@stadiumjumping.com.
For questions and comments, feel free to contactinfo@greatlakesequestrianfestival.com.
Meijer to Sponsor Great Lakes Equestrian Festival Week 4 Grand Prix
Traverse City, MI - May 19, 2016 - The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival is one of the summer's highlight show events, packed with competition and set in the picturesque town of Traverse City, Michigan. Many sponsors have joined the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival family for the second year of the show, while others remain on board and build upon their support from the show's inaugural year.
Meijer joined the family of sponsors last year when the show successfully kicked off, and will continue its sponsorship at this year's equestrian extravaganza as well.
Meijer is a family owned retailer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan operating over 210 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky.
"We were very excited to have a company like Meijer joining us as one of our corporate sponsors during our inaugural year," said Matt Morrissey, the Show Manager. "They are a world class, well-run company with a fabulous philosophy, not unlike our own. They, too, believe in giving back to the community. To see them back again shows their support for what we're doing here in the Traverse City area. We are thrilled to welcome them back!"
Meijer revolutionized the supercenter industry in 1962 after being founded in 1934. The store's concept mixes retail with food, hardware, automotive electronics, apparel, garden centers, and a pharmacy, offering customers a one-stop-shop for any of their needs.
Meijer was built on a fundamental philosophy aimed at strengthening the communities it serves. Meijer proudly donates more than 6 percent of its net profit each year to charities throughout the Midwest. With hunger as a corporate philanthropic focus, Meijer partners with hundreds of food banks and pantries through its Simply Give and food rescue programs. Meijer also support education, disaster relief, and health and wellness initiatives.
The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival is set on 88 beautiful acres and showcases five world-class competition rings in addition to spacious schooling rings. The property features don't stop there as the park offers convenient on-site campgrounds, making for a truly unique attendee experience.
Given its gorgeous summer setting and its wide range of classes, the 2016 Great Lakes Equestrian Festival is an event that equestrians won't want to miss. Entries close on June 1st. To download an entry form, please click here.
To view the competition schedule, please click here.
For travel and housing information, please click here.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Brook Berganza at brooke.berganza@greatlakesequestrianfestival.com.
For questions and comments, feel free to contact info@greatlakesequestrianfestival.com.
2016 GREAT LAKES EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL FAST FACTS:
WHEN:
2016 FESTIVAL DATES
July 6-10
July 13-17
July 20-24
July 27-31
Aug. 10-14 CSI 2*
Aug. 17-21 CSI 2*
Aug. 24- 28 CSI 3*
WHERE:
Flintfields Horse Park, 6535 Bates Road, Williamsburg, MI 49690 - 10 miles east from the beautiful Resort town of Traverse City.
WHAT:
A seven-week-long hunter and jumper equestrian festival.
HIGHLIGHTS:
WCHR Week II
Week IV $25,000 USHJA International Derby presented by the Gochman Family
Weekly Glory Days Farm LLC USHJA National Hunter Derby
$25,000 Weekly Welcome Stake for July series
$50,000 Weekly Grand Prix for July series
$35,000 and $50,000 FEI classes Week V and VI
$35,000, $40,000 and $100,000 FEI classes Week VII
$25,000 U-25 Grand Prix August 13th presented by The Moyer Family
HOTEL, MOTEL, RESORT CONTACT INFO:
Please refer to greatlakesequestrianfestival.com for hotels, campgrounds, and home rentals.
For on-grounds camping information, please click here.
SPONSORSHIP, VENDORS, ADVERTISING:
Matt Morrissey - matt@mmg.management
Brooke Berganza - brooke.berganza@greatlakesequestrianfestival.com
Ainsley Bernstein - ainsley@conniesawyerllc.com
ORGANIZER CONTACT INFO AND SHOW INFORMATION:
Traverse City Horse Shows, LLC
1301 Sixth Ave. West Suite 406
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 744-5465
info@greatlakesequestrianfestival.com
Click Here for Stabling Information
Click Here for VIP Club Reservations
Click Here for Feed and Paddock Forms
MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd.
Suite 102
Wellington, FL 33414
Tel: (561) 753-3389
Fax: (561) 753-3386
E-mail: pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
Web site: www.phelpsmediagroup.com
Great Lakes Equestrian Festival Welcomes Haas Family’s North Face Farm as Week 1 Grand Prix Sponsor
Traverse City, MI - April 27, 2016 – The second year of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival is fast approaching and is set to kick off on July 6th. The addition of the all-new August series will run August 10-28 and will feature two weeks of FEI 2* competition and one week of FEI 3* competition.
The festival has garnered much success since it’s inauguration, and has built up an impressive list of sponsors for their events. North Face Farm, owned and operated by the Haas family, is one of many proud sponsors for this summer’s show series. North Face Farm will be the presenting sponsor of the week one $50,000 Grand Prix of Traverse City, taking place on Sunday, July 10th.
“The idea of having some major shows in Michigan was important to me,” said Jake Haas of North Face Farm. “When Karen Flint got involved in it she took it to another level and it was just an outstanding situation and she put together a really nice facility. Now with the Morrissey’s involved, they’ve taken it to the next higher level of having top-quality circuits through northern Michigan almost through the entire summer now, which is great, and it’s a no brainer to sponsor that kind of a thing."
Jake and Anne Haas, along with their daughters Sarah and Erin, are based out of their home in Chelsea, Michigan. At North Face Farm, the family owns, trains, and competes show jumpers around the country. Erin Haas’ name is well known on the horse show circuit, and she is also the founder of North Face Equine Services, a veterinary practice that provides sports medicine services. Sarah Haas also owns her own boarding and training facility, Swept Away Farm, based out of Temperance, Michigan.
The Haas family has supported the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival from the beginning, and they have been involved in Northern Michigan horse shows for quite some time. “I liked the professionalism with which the program and the venue was put together with,” Jake Haas said of last year’s show. “They did a first-class, really nice job. I liked the added entertainment, they added a number of activities but they promoted the show quite nicely, and the grounds were kept up nicely. The atmosphere was really nice!”
In addition to the Haas family’s endeavors, Anne Haas runs her own mobile jewelry and gift boutique, Bead by Bead. Anne’s boutique was one of the most popular spots at last year’s show and will be returning this summer as a featured vendor. Bead by Bead offers products like jewelry, spurs, key chains, and other gifts that are sure to please the everyday equestrian.
Other promising highlights for this year’s Great Lakes Equestrian Festival include WCHR week July 13-17, $25,000 International Hunter Derby presented by the Gochman Family on July 30th, and a $25,000 U-25 Grand Prix presented by The Moyer Family on August 13th.
The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival is now taking reservations for stabling, entries, VIP tables, camper spots, and vendor spaces. All necessary forms for whatever your needs can be found on the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival website here.
Traverse City, Michigan is a top tourist spot during the summer, and people will travel from around the country to enjoy the stunning scenery and family-friendly attractions. It is recommended that competitors and exhibitors act early to reserve hotels or housing in order to take advantage of all that the city has to offer.
Jake Haas and his family are excited to see what this year’s show has to offer. He said, “We really enjoy the presence of the Morrissey’s now as the show manager, and that’s why we sponsor. I bumped my sponsorship up, and they did an outstanding job for the first year, they did a phenomenal job. It was an improvement over the last ten years they made the show that much better. We’re looking forward to 7 weeks!”
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Brooke Berganza at brooke.berganza@greatlakesquestrianfestival.com
For questions and comments, feel free to contact info@greatlakesequestrianfestival.com
Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in Traverse City Welcomes FEI and U-25 Competitions to August Lineup
Traverse City, MI - March 22, 2016 - With only a few months to go until the start of the 2016 Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, organizers of the festival announced that they have augmented this year's shows with the addition of FEI 2* and 3* weeks, as well as a $25,000 U-25 Grand Prix to the August show series.
The week of August 10-14 will surely be action packed, boasting both U-25 competition and two CSI2* ranking classes. The excitement continues just a week later, moving into August 17-21 with two more CSI2* ranking classes. Both CSI2* weeks will feature a $35,000 and $50,000 classes. Rounding out the new additions, the week of August 24-28 will be a CSI3* with three rankings classes consisting of $35,000, $40,000 and $100,000 Grand Prix.
Away from the show ring, Traverse City boasts a number of stunning attractions. Traverse City was named one of Smithsonian Magazine's "Top Ten Best Small Towns to Visit in 2015." Fodors Travel's Jimmy Im says, "Traverse City is a burgeoning food and wine destination, popular for its cherries, excellent vineyards, and farm-to-table cuisine." Bon Appetit magazine named it one of the top five foodie towns in America.
Known for its pristine beaches, the area was voted one of the top 10 best summer trips by the travel editors at National Geographic. Viewers of ABC's Good Morning America voted nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes, "The Most Beautiful Place in America."
With July and August shaping up to be a summer of unforgettable competition and housing in this beautiful resort town always at a premium, make sure to arrange your travel accommodations now. For travel and housing information, please visitwww.greatlakesequestrianfestival.com. Also, see the Fast Facts below for direct contact information
Stabling, VIP table, vendor, paddock, and camper reservation forms are now available online at www.greatlakesequestrianfestival.com. Time Schedules and prize list will be available on March 22nd online. GLEF organizers encourage exhibitors to get their stall and camper reservations in promptly, as July is expected to sell out.
There are many sponsorship opportunities still available, so secure a spot for your brand by contacting Brook Berganza at brook.berganza@stadiumjumping.com.
For questions and comments, feel free to contact info@stadiumjumping.com.
Organizers of GLEF look forward to welcoming you to beautiful Traverse City and seeing you and your horses at the second annual Great Lakes Equestrian Festival.
2016 GREAT LAKES EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL FAST FACTS:
WHEN:
2016 FESTIVAL DATES
July 6-10
July 13-17
July 20-24
July 27-31
Aug. 10-14
Aug. 17-21
Aug. 24- 28
WHERE:
Flintfields Horse Park, 6535 Bates Road, Williamsburg, MI 49690 - 10 miles east from the beautiful Resort town of Traverse City.
WHAT:
A seven-week-long hunter and jumper equestrian festival.
HIGHLIGHTS:
WCHR Week II
Week IV $25,000 USHJA International Derby presented by the Gochman Family
Weekly $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
$25,000 Weekly Welcome Stake for July series
$50,000 Weekly Grand Prix for July series
$35,000 and $50,000 FEI classes Week V and VI
$35,000, $40,000 and $100,000 FEI classes Week VII
HOTEL, MOTEL, RESORT CONTACT INFO:
Please refer to www.greatlakesequestrianfestival.com for hotels, campgrounds, and home rentals.
SPONSORSHIP, VENDORS, ADVERTISING:
Matt Morrissey - matt.morrissey@stadiumjumping.com
Brooke Berganza - brooke.berganza@stadiumjumping.com
Ainsley Bernstein - ainsley@conniesawyerllc.com
ORGANIZER CONTACT INFO:
Stadium Jumping Inc.
1301 Sixth Ave. West Suite 406
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 744-5465
MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd.
Suite 102
Wellington, FL 33414
Tel: (561) 753-3389
Fax: (561) 753-3386
E-mail: pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
Web site: www.phelpsmediagroup.com
Prize List Now Available for 2016 Great Lakes Equestrian Festival
Traverse City, MI - March 28, 2016 - We're just a few months out from the start of the 2016 Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, and the prize list for the July and all-new August show series' are now available online.
The action-packed, all-new August series that runs August 10-28 will feature two weeks of FEI 2* competitions and one week of FEI 3* competitions. Also added to the schedule will be a $25,000 U-25 Grand Prix held August 13th.
Some of this year's promising highlight events include:
- WCHR weekJuly 13 - 17
- $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by the Gochman Family held July 30th.
- Weekly Glory Days Farm LLC USHJA National Hunter Derbies
- $25,000 Weekly Welcome Stake for July series
- $50,000 Weekly Grand Prix for July series
- $35,000 and $50,000 FEI classes Week V and VI
- $35,000, $40,000 and $100,000 FEI classes Week VII
- $25,000 U-25 Grand Prix August 13th presented by The Moyer Family
The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival is now taking reservations for stabling, entries, VIP tables, camper spots, and vendor spaces. All forms can be found on the website. Management encourages all competitors to start making housing/hotel reservations early due to the tourist town’s high demand.
To download an entry form, please click here.
To view the competition schedule, please click here.
For travel and housing information, please click here.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Brooke Berganza at brooke.berganza@stadiumjumping.com.
For questions and comments, feel free to contactinfo@greatlakesequestrianfestival.com.
2016 GREAT LAKES EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL FAST FACTS
WHEN:
2016 FESTIVAL DATES
July 6-10
July 13-17
July 20-24
July 27-31
Aug. 10-14 CSI 2*
Aug. 17-21 CSI 2*
Aug. 24- 28 CSI 3*
WHERE:
Flintfields Horse Park, 6535 Bates Road, Williamsburg, MI 49690 - 10 miles east from the beautiful Resort town of Traverse City.
WHAT:
A seven-week-long hunter and jumper equestrian festival.
HIGHLIGHTS:
WCHR Week II
Week IV $25,000 USHJA International Derby presented by the Gochman Family
Weekly Glory Days Farm LLC USHJA National Hunter Derby
$25,000 Weekly Welcome Stake for July series
$50,000 Weekly Grand Prix for July series
$35,000 and $50,000 FEI classes Week V and VI
$35,000, $40,000 and $100,000 FEI classes Week VII
$25,000 U-25 Grand Prix August 13th presented by The Moyer Family
HOTEL, MOTEL, RESORT CONTACT INFO:
Please refer to greatlakesequestrianfestival.com for hotels, campgrounds, and home rentals.
For on-grounds camping information, please click here.
SPONSORSHIP, VENDORS, ADVERTISING:
Matt Morrissey - matt.morrissey@stadiumjumping.com
Brooke Berganza - brooke.berganza@stadiumjumping.com
Ainsley Bernstein - ainsley@conniesawyerllc.com
ORGANIZER CONTACT INFO AND SHOW INFORMATION:
Traverse City Horse Shows, LLC
1301 Sixth Ave. West Suite 406
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 744-5465
info@greatlakesequestrianfestival.com
Click Here for Stabling Information
Florida Gold Coast Named Top 15 AQHA Show for 2015
Tampa, Fla. – Feb. 23, 2016 – The already popular Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit rose to even greater popularity in 2015 under the management of Mark Harrell Horse Shows. Thanks to phenomenal growth, the event earned the honor and distinction of being named one of the top 15 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) shows for 2015 based on the number of entries.
The 2015 Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, held Dec. 28-31, 2015 at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, Florida, welcomed 6,090 AQHA entries, as well as additional National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) and non-AQHA entries for a grand total of 7,563 entries. That number is up from 4,056 total entries in 2014 – a remarkable increase of more than 3,500 entries.
“This past year was our first year managing the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, and we’re thrilled with the exhibitor support that we received,” said Mark Harrell of Mark Harrell Horse Shows. “A big thank you goes out to all of the exhibitors, sponsors, vendors, trainers and everyone who made the 2015 shows such a success.”
Harrell continued, “We’re shooting to make not only the top 15 list but the top 10 list for 2016, and we’re already making improvements that will allow us to reach that goal and to continue to grow bigger and better each year.”
Among those improvements were footing renovations to the trail and west pens. The extensive footing upgrades began immediately following the conclusion of the 2015 Florida Gold Coast circuit, and the pens now have high-quality, all-weather footing identical to what was previously put in place in the hunter ring.
To view photos and updates from throughout the footing upgrade process, from the 2015 Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit and leading up to the 2016 shows, visit the Florida Gold Coast Facebook page here. For additional information on the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, please visitwww.flgoldcoastcircuit.com.