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Horse Shows by the Bay Announces New Competition Arena for 2008 Series

Written by: Jennifer Wood
Client: Horse Sports by the Bay, Inc.
Release Date: 2008-04-29

Traverse City, MI - April 17, 2008 - Horse Shows by the Bay is pleased to announce that their three-week series of horse shows will have a new competition arena this year. The equestrian festival will be held from July 16 to August 3. The festival is “AA” rated, World Champion Hunter Rider sanctioned, and hosts a $25,000 grand prix each week. Horse Shows by the Bay hosts 1,200 horses and offers more than $360,000 in prize money. The festival is held at the Flintfields Horse Park just outside of scenic Traverse City, MI.

The new riding arena features approximately 106,000 feet of riding surface. It is 280 feet wide by 380 feet long and is set in an amphitheater style environment. There is tiered seating, as well as an entertaining area on two sides of the arena. The ring includes a built-in bank and has all-weather footing.

The design for the arena was approved by Guilherme Jorge, a world-renowned course designer that has designed at the Horse Shows by the Bay series since 2004. Jorge has designed at such prestigious competitions as the Winter Equestrian Festival, Spruce Meadows, Olympia in England, the Budweiser World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, and last year’s Pan American Games in Brazil. He will join the Horse Shows by the Bay series again this year as course designer in week three of the competition.

In addition to the new show arena, an additional warm-up ring has been built. It also features all-weather footing.

The new arena will showcase High Performance events each week including the $25,000 Grand Prix, $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, and $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Prix.

For more information on the Horse Shows by the Bay series, please visit www.horsesportsbythebay.com.

Photo Credit: Artist’s rendering of the new arena at Horse Shows by the Bay. Photo courtesy of client. This photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.

2008 HORSE SHOWS BY THE BAY FAST FACTS

EVENT: Horse Shows by the Bay

WHAT: A three week equestrian festival that is “AA” rated, World Champion Hunter Rider sanctioned, and hosts a $25,000 grand prix each week. Horse Shows by the Bay hosts 1,200 horses and offers more than $360,000 in prize money.

WHERE: Flintfields Horse Park, 6535 Bates Road, Williamsburg, MI 49690 – 10 miles east from the beautiful Resort town of Traverse City

WHEN: July 16-August 3, 2008

HIGHLIGHTS:
Friday, July 18, July 25, and Thursday, July 31
$10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix

Saturday, July 19
$10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix
$5,000 Adult Hunter Classic, sponsored by Lisa A.H. Cudahy
$5,000 Children’s Hunter Classic, sponsored by Lisa A.H. Cudahy
Kid’s Day Program

Sunday, July 20
$25,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix of Traverse City
$5,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic, sponsored by Lanes End
$5,000 Pony Hunter Classic, sponsored by Peter Pletcher

Saturday, July 26
$10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix
$10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Janet P. Read - member event of the ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Dietrich Insurance, featuring Walsh Harness & Saddlery.
$1,000 Ride for the Ribbon 2’6” Non-Pro Hunter Classic

Sunday, July 27
$25,000 Grand Traverse Bay Grand Prix

Friday, August 1
University of Michigan vs. Michigan State University Polo Match & Charity Fundraiser

Saturday, August 2
$25,000 D-BRAIDER Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix

Sunday, August 3
$10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix
$10,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Prix

ADDITIONAL WEEKLY FEATURES:
$2,500 Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classics
$2,500 Children’s & Adult Jumper Classics
$3,000 NAL Open Speed Qualifiers
USEF “AA” Hunter Divisions
“A” & “C” Rated Hunter Classics
Young Jumper Championship Qualifiers
New Hunter Breeding Divisions
New Short Stirrup and Children’s Pony Hunter Classics
Non-rated Hunter, Jumper, & Equitation Classes
Charity Fundraisers
Daily and Weekly Exhibitor Socials and Parties

HOURS:
Wednesday through Sunday, beginning at 8 a.m.

ADMISSION:
Wed and Thursday - Closed to the Public
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays - $5/person, Children under 5 are free
July 19 - Children under the age of 18 Free
General admission tickets can be purchased at the gate

PARKING: Available on-site; included in admission price

DIRECTIONS:
From South East Michigan (Detroit Area):
I-75 North to M-72 West (@ Grayling); Follow M-72 West through Kalkaska; @ Williamsburg continue 1.9 miles to Bates Road; after Rail Road Crossing turn right onto Bates Road; Show Facility on Left 1 mile

From Mid Michigan (Lansing Area):
Follow US-127 north to Clare; Merge onto M-10 Wes/M-115 West towards Ludington/Cadillac to Route 115 North; Merge onto M-131 North; Turn left onto Fife Lake Road/CR-605; Follow jog left staying on CR-605 to Williamsburg; Turn left on M-72 West; @ Williamsburg continue west 1.9 miles to Bates Road; after Rail Road Crossing turn right onto Bates Road; Show Facility on Left 1 mile

From South West Michigan (Grand Rapids Area):
East I-96 north to Grand Rapids; take US 131 north to Cadillac; Turn left onto Fife Lake Road/CR-605; Follow jog left staying on CR-605 to Williamsburg; Turn left on M-72 West; @ Williamsburg continue 1.9 miles to Bates Road; after Rail Road Crossing turn right onto Bates Road; Show Facility on Left 1 mile

From Northern Michigan (Petoskey Area):
US 31 South to Acme; East on M-72 3 miles; just prior to Railroad Tracks, turn left on Bates Road; Show Facility on Left 1 mile

From Traverse City:
Follow US 31 East to Acme; turn East on M-72 3 miles; just prior to Railroad tracks,
Turn left on Bates Road; Show Facility on Left 1 mile

By Air :
Use the Cherry Capital Airport—Traverse City; Follow Directions from TC

OFFICIAL HOST HOTEL:
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Michigan’s finest and most comprehensive resort experience, 3 miles west of Flintfields Horse Park, Group Block Rate expires May 16, 2008
www.grandtraverseresort.com
800-236-1577

FEATURE HOTEL:
Park Place Hotel
In the heart of downtown Traverse City’s shopping and dining district, group block rate expires June 1, 2008
www.park-place-hotel.com
231-946-5000

ADDITONAL BLUE RIBBON HOST HOTELS:
Grand Beach Resort, 231-938-4455
Park Shore Resort, 231-947-3800
Sugar Beach Resort, 231-938-0100
Super 8- East Bay, 231-938-1887
Traverse Victorian Inn, 231-947-5525
Holiday Inn-West Bay, 800-888-8020
Pointes North Resort, 800-968-3422
Shanty Creek Resorts, 800-678-4111
Timber Ridge RV Resort, 800-909-2327
For all other Group Rates & Additional Hotel Listings, contact 1800-TRAVERS

STABLING/SPONSORSHIP CONTACT:
Alex Rheinheimer
561-723-6287
alexrheinheimer@aol.com
www.horsesportsbythebay.com

MEDIA CONTACT
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
13833 Wellington Trace
Unit E-4 #221
Wellington, FL 33414
Tel: 561-753-3389
Fax: 561-753-3386
E-mail: pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
Web site: www.phelpsmediagroup.com