Top roster of riders to attend sold-out Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival

The 2009 Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival is pleased to announce the first two weeks of events are sold out, and the third week will likely see the largest number of competitors in the six-year history of the competition.

Many of the best hunter and jumper riders in the nation will be in Traverse City this year. The three weeks of hunter/jumper competition will be held from July 8 to July 26 at Flintfields Horse Park.

The $15,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby will be one of the most anticipated events of the hunter riders’ schedule.  To make the day even more special, a complimentary dinner for horse show participants will be served ringside. Horse Shows by the Bay is also recognized by the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Awards Program as a member event.

Some top hunter riders that will be competing at this year’s festival are: 2008 Horse Shows by the Bay USHJA International Hunter Derby winner Tammy Provost, three-time WCHR Professional Rider of the Year Peter Pletcher, 2008 American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF) Hunter Spectacular winner Tim Goguen, 2009 AHJF Hunter Spectacular winner Kelley Farmer, 2008 Chronicle of the Horse Show Hunter Rider of the Year Patricia Griffith, top pony and junior rider Lillie Keenan, and junior riders Laura Pfeiffer and Caitlin Ziegler, who each have won numerous championships across the country.

Jumper riders have multiple events each week to look forward to, including a $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix, $30,000 Grand Prix, $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Prix, Young Jumper Qualifiers and a $10,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Prix. Grand Prix sponsors D-BRAIDER and Spy Coast Farm return as major show jumping supporters as well as Positive Step Farm and Schreiber Roofing.

There are many notable names that will be competing in the jumper divisions, such as: returning Grand Prix winners Scott Lenkart and Addison Phillips, Weeks 1 and 2  $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Prix winner Victoria Birdsall, returning Ovation Leading Jumper Rider David Beisel, top amateur and grand prix rider Erin Haase and 2007 Grand Traverse Bay Grand Prix winner Brian Shook.

Held in the luxury summer resort area of Traverse City, Mich., the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival is set against the backdrop of the Cherry Capital of the World, complete with vineyards, beaches, orchards, and golf courses. Festival dates are July 8 – August 2, 2009.  For more information please click here.