Traverse City, Mich. – July 29, 2017 – The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), held at scenic Flintfields Horse Park, is halfway through its third year as Week Four kicked off on Wednesday. This action-packed, six-week series, set in beautiful Traverse City, Michigan, offers the perfect combination of exciting equestrian competition and great family fun.
The 2017 circuit commenced with back-to-back wins for Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 in the $25,000 Welcome Stake, presented by East Wind Farms, and the $50,000 Meijer Grand Prix.
The Irish continued to produce top results into Week Two, as FEI competition got underway, where fellow Sweet Oak Farm rider, Lorcan Gallagher, and Hunters Conlypso II won the $35,000 World Equestrian Center Welcome Stake CSI2*. However, Sloane Coles took home the first grand prix win for the United States at GLEF with Esprit in the $50,000 Grand Prix of Michigan CSI2*.
“I really love it here,” said Coles. “This is my first year. I think the Morrisseys are doing a really great job. It’s just a beautiful area and you can spend time on the lake. The horse show has great footing and it’s been a nice change. I’ll be back next year!”
Week Three saw Andrew Kocher of the United States and Ciana fly to victory in the $35,000 Welcome Stake CSI2*, while Santiago Lambre and Dingeman scored a win for Mexico in Sunday’s $50,000 Great Lakes Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by North Face Farm.
“This is my first time here,” said Lambre. “It’s an unbelievable facility. I’m very happy and the horses are happy. The grounds are fantastic. I hope to come back next year!”
In addition, Jacob Pope and J’Adore, Tori Colvin and Pitch Perfect and Winn Alden and Marshall have all added their names to the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby winner’s list, which is held each Sunday throughout the GLEF circuit.
So far, the 2017 GLEF has received rave reviews from exhibitors, trainers and spectators alike.
“We love coming to GLEF,” said Greg Crolick of Greg Crolick Stables. “It’s absolutely wonderful. It’s a destination spot and it’s a great resort area. It’s a lot of fun for us to come here. We love it and come every single year.”
“This is my favorite horse show of the year,” said Meagan Murray-Tenuta of Buena Vista Farm. “I literally talk about it all year. It’s so well run, so organized and the horses are very happy here.”
With Week Four now underway, Weeks Five and Six are fast approaching and right around the corner. Week Five (Aug. 1–6) will feature the $35,000 Welcome Stake CSI2* on Friday and the $50,000 Grand Traverse Grand Prix CSI2* on Sunday, while Week Six (Aug. 8–13) will host a $35,000 Welcome Speed Stake CSI3* on Thursday, $40,000 Great Lakes Classic CSI3* on Friday and conclude with the highly anticipated $100,000 Grand Prix of Traverse City CSI3* on Sunday, Aug. 13.
“Equitation Tuesday” will also start back up Week Five and continue into Week Six. This new addition to the 2017 schedule allows GLEF equitation exhibitors ample opportunities to collect double the amount of valuable qualifying points per week in one location.
There’s still a chance for you to experience the show that everyone is talking about this summer as GLEF management has reopened entry applications for the final two weeks of the series!
Don’t miss out on competing in this highly sought-after summer destination! Submit your entries for GLEF Weeks Five and Six today!
