"We're always looking for ways to improve the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival to make it a more enjoyable experience on all fronts for both horses, riders and spectators," said Matt Morrissey of Morrissey Management Group. "This year, we're really striving to provide our client base the time to enjoy beautiful Traverse City by limiting stalls and revamping the schedule so the show finishes early each day, allowing exhibitors more free time to relax and explore the city."
Stalls for 2017 are limited and filling on a first come, first serve basis. Circuit stalls (all six weeks) are also currently available at a discounted rate when paid in full by April 1. Discounted stalls does not include FEI stalls.
In addition, GLEF is also accepting table reservations of six for the VIP Club overlooking the expansive Grand Prix Ring. Wednesday through Thursday includes beverage services, while Friday through Sunday offers delicious food and beverage accommodations.
For the 2017 show season, the festival will feature six consecutive weeks of world-class hunter and jumper competition from July 5 - Aug. 13. With weekly derby competitions, the 2017 GLEF will also feature World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) week (Week Two), and a $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during Week Four. Weeks Two-Six will be FEI-rated competitions, featuring CSI2* and CSI3* grand prix events, concluding with the highly anticipated $100,000 Grand Traverse Grand Prix CSI3* on Sunday, Aug. 13.
Chile's Samuel Parot and Quick Du Pottier won the 2016 $100,000 Grand Traverse Grand Prix CSI3* at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival.
New to this year's schedule are "Equitation Tuesday" competitions, held each Tuesday Weeks Two-Three and Weeks Five-Six in the Grand Prix Ring. This provides GLEF equitation exhibitors ample opportunities to collect double the amount of valuable qualifying points per week in one location!
The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival takes place on 88 beautiful acres at the Flintfields Horse Park, which showcases five competition rings with excellent footing in addition to spacious schooling rings. The park offers convenient on-site campgrounds and is close to the Cherry Capital Airport, not far from the shores of Lake Michigan. The reviews of the upgraded footing in 2016 were excellent, as were the comments regarding the wonderful hospitality and fabulous food in the VIP Club. Those that made the trip to the Upper Peninsula last year have made the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival a permanent stop on their summer schedule!
2017 Great Lakes Equestrian Festival Fast Facts:
What: The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival is held annually in July and August at the Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg, Michigan, located just outside Traverse City. This six-week event hosts nationally rated hunter/jumper competition, featuring weekly classes and classics for children, juniors, adult and amateur-owner riders. Each week, the festival also holds classes for young horses, professional hunter derbies, open jumper classes and the premier grand prix held each Sunday during July and August.
When: July 5 - Aug. 13, 2017
Where:
Flintfields Horse Park
6535 Bates Road, Williamsburg, MI 49690
Ten miles East from the beautiful resort town of Traverse City.
Weekly competition schedules (all schedules are subject to change):
GLEF I: July 5 - 9
GLEF II: July 11 - 16
FEI CSI2*
Equitation Tuesday
WCHR week
GLEF III: July 18 - 23
FEI CSI2*
Equitation Tuesday
GLEF IV: July 26 - 30
FEI CSI2*
USHJA International Hunter Derby
GLEF V: Aug. 1 - 6
FEI CSI2*
Equitation Tuesday
GLEF VI: Aug. 8 - 13
FEI CSI3*
Equitation Tuesday
Hospitality: Tables of six are available in the beautiful VIP Club overlooking the Grand Prix Ring throughout the 2017 GLEF - the perfect way to entertain your clients and friends this summer! Download a table reservation form here!
Sponsorship, vendor and advertising opportunities:
Nicolle Meyer - nicky@mmg.management
Matt Morrissey - matt@mmg.management
Brooke Berganza - brooke.berganza@greatlakesequestrianfestival.com
Hotel, motel, resort contact information:
Please refer to greatlakesequestrianfestival.com for hotels, campgrounds and home rentals.
Management:
Morrissey Management Group
PO Box 1375
Bradenton, FL 34206
Tel: 941-744-5465
Fax: 941-744-0874
Media contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
12012 South Shore Blvd., Suite 201
Wellington, FL 33414
Email: info@phelpsmediagroup.com
Tel: 561-753-3389
Website: www.phelpsmediagroup.com