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