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Horse Shows by the Bay to Feature Festivities for All Ages
Written by: Lauren Fisher Client:Horse Sports by the Bay, Inc. Release Date:2008-07-02
Traverse City, MI – July 2, 2008 – The 2008 Horse Shows by the Bay equestrian festival is set to feature a large variety of events for people of all ages to enjoy. The three week competition, held at the Flintfields Horse Park in beautiful Traverse City, MI, runs from July 16-August 3 and will be sure to get everyone involved in the fun.
Horse Shows by the Bay has a day just for kids, classes for local riders, and even a polo exhibition pitting two of Michigan’s top Universities, where spectators are encouraged to sport their favorite team’s colors.
Kid’s Day is Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include activities such as live radio remote from WFOX, an activity station, horseless jumping, a K-9 agility demo, moon bounce and even face painting. Kids will also be able to enjoy behind the scenes barn tours and a Tom Pierson reining exhibition, as well as the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur Prix.
Kid’s Day is sponsored by Vinnie’s West Side Eats, located in Traverse City. Kids under 18 get in for free and adult tickets are $5. All proceeds raised will be donated to the local 4-H Club. Adding to the fun, the first 300 kids to arrive will receive a "Party for Artie" book donated by author Robbie Timmons, of Detroit's WXYZ news station.
Local Rider Day, co-sponsored by Red Hare Tack and Togs and badpony.com, is Tuesday, July 29, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The competition features riders residing no further than 150 miles from Traverse City with events geared towards up-and-coming riders new to the national horse show scene. All ages and all breeds are invited to participate. Admission is $5 per person.
Friday, August 1, features the First Annual Horse Shows by the Bay Hat Contest and Polo Exhibition from 6 – 8 p.m. The fun starts with polo teams from two of Michigan’s top universities, Michigan State University and University of Michigan, in a head to head polo competition. This will be Traverse City’s first ever polo match, and spectators are encouraged to support their school of choice and to participate in the Hat Contest. Winners of the Hat Contest will be judged upon arrival and announced during intermission. A $500 cash prize will be divided up between the winner of "Most Over the Top", "Best Team Spirit MSU", "Best Team Spirit U of M" and "Silliest" (kid's only). The Hat Contest is sponsored by Meadowview Farm of Grand Rapids, MI. Admission to the events is $5 per person and proceeds will go to the participating polo teams.
For more information on Horse Shows by the Bay and the fun events planned for competitors and spectators alike, please go to www.horsesportsbythebay.com.
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, sponsored by Vinnie’s West Side Eats
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, sponsored by North Face Farm
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
