Traverse City, Mich. – June 27, 2019 – Excitement continues to build as the 2019 Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by CaptiveOne Advisors, LLC, returns to the spectacular Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City, Michigan, on Wednesday, July 3! This year’s edition of GLEF promises an even better overall experience with world-class hunter, jumper and equitation riders competing over the course of six weeks. The highly anticipated event is also proud to partner with many local businesses to provide attendees with the ultimate Traverse City experience.
“Our local partners are extremely valuable to the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival,” said GLEF show organizer Matt Morrissey of Morrissey Management Group. “They each bring something special and uniquely Traverse City to GLEF, creating a memorable experience for our participants and their families, which makes our event truly stand out. Our exhibitors love the area as well, turning it into a destination horse show for the whole family. We are so lucky and proud to call Traverse City and northern Michigan home.”
The Community Partners program was created to help connect GLEF competitors and their families with fun things to do while visiting Traverse City. While at the show, exhibitors and attendees are encouraged to visit GLEF’s new onsite concierge booth, presented by Traverse City Tourism, to learn more about all of GLEF’s community partners as well as make reservations, find hotels and plan fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. For more information on this as well as the fundraising program and organizing corporate/group outings at GLEF, email audra@
THANK YOU TO OUR 2019 COMMUNITY PARTNERS!
Sundays at GLEF are family fun days with a variety of activities for the entire family to enjoy, and where each week culminates in an exciting grand prix show jumping competition with some of the world’s best horses and athletes. With no shortage of entertainment, this year’s circuit will also feature a range of models from Serra Subaru onsite on Sunday, July 14 and July 27.
This year, located at the north end of the VIP Club is the new Mammoth Outpost, generously sponsored by the official spirits partner of the 2019 GLEF, Mammoth Distilling. The Mammoth Outpost is open to all guests to purchase drinks, while the full collection of Mammoth Distilling spirits will be exclusively featured in the VIP Club and other locations throughout the duration of the festival.
To celebrate the partnership, a signature rye was crafted during a collaboration event with Mammoth Distilling and the GLEF team. This very limited edition blend features a custom-designed, co-branded label, and will be released only to event participants this summer while supplies remain.
In addition, while relaxing ringside in the popular VIP Club, exhibitors and spectators can also sample NôMI sparkling water, created by the Mitten Fruit Company to showcase the delicious flavors that come from world-class Michigan fruits, in addition to local North Peak Brewing Company and Short’s Brewing Company beer and wine from Bowers Harbor Vineyards.
As always, exhibitor satisfaction and comfort is a top priority for GLEF. The new Southern Arches Pavilion will debut this year between the two main hunter rings and will supply snacks, pastries and breakfast items, as well as a popcorn machine courtesy of Wrenwood Farms, each day of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year, the exhibitor hospitality area is graciously sponsored by Oryana Natural Foods Market (Week I) and Just A Folly Farm (Week IV).
Those flying in to Traverse City should take advantage of the Cherry Capital Airport – TVC, located just minutes from downtown, surrounding hotels and the Flintfields Horse Park, while visitors also have the option of booking travel arrangements with Avflight.
Other contributors to this year’s GLEF include Northern Pines Farm, the presenting sponsor of an exciting new equitation class, the Dudley B. Smith Equitation Championship, debuting this year during Week IV and The TackHack. GLEF is also excited to welcome both the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel and Grand Traverse Resort and Spa on board this year, where exhibitors can take advantage of a number of premier amenities and dine at hotspots such as Bourbons 72 and Aerie.
Join the fun at Flintfields Horse Park this summer and experience the thrill of equestrian sports July 3-Aug. 11 at GLEF! Weekly grand prix competitions begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, while gates open at noon. The first grand prix competition of the 2019 season will be held on Sunday, July 7, with the $50,000 GGT Footing Grand Prix, presented by JTWG, Inc./4G Surfaces, while Week II will feature the $50,000 Meijer Grand Prix on Sunday, July 14.
Exhibitors, if you haven’t done so already, now is the time to get your stall reservations and entries in for GLEF Weeks IV, V and VI! The entry deadline is Monday, July 1, and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out. Exhibitors can submit their entries for GLEF 2019 online at www.horseshowsonline.com.
The team at GLEF and Morrissey Management Group are dedicated to providing top-notch customer service for those attending this year’s event. With its convenient location in the heart of Traverse City, traveling through the Cherry Capital Airport – TVC is the ideal situation for those participating at GLEF this summer. In addition, if you would like assistance in booking housing arrangements for the 2019 circuit, please email concierge@mmg.management
A variety of sponsorships are still available for this year’s circuit. For more information on how to become a sponsor, click here and contact Nicolle Meyer at nicky@mmg.management or call 440-258-5099.
