Traverse City, Mich. – July 20, 2018 – The third week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF) welcomes the first week of international competition at the Flintfields Horse Park. In the Grand Prix Ring on Friday, it was Tori Colvin of the United States and Zambia Mystic Rose who executed the only double-clear round of the class to win the $35,000 NetJets Welcome Stake CSI2*.
The first round proved challenging for athletes as only seven out of 45 combinations cleared the Bernardo Costa Cabral-designed course. Peter Wylde (USA) and Cicero’s Electric, owned by Aram Ampagoumian LLC, were the early clear pathfinders in round one and the first pair to tackle the shortened course in the jump-off, finishing in 37.88 seconds with 4 faults.
Following another 4-fault round from Ireland’s Paul O’Shea and Tequestrian Farms LLC’s Imerald Van’t Voorhof in 40.82 seconds, Santiago Diaz Ortega (COL) and Cerano Vin Dingenshof, who were third in the jump-off order-of-go, just nearly completed a fault-free round in 36.25 seconds until the final rail came down.
Colvin and Zambia Mystic Rose, owned by RM Agronegocias and Victoria Colvin LLC, entered the Grand Prix Ring next, determined to take over the lead. The pair rode one less stride everywhere throughout the course to surpass earlier contenders and set the standard to beat for the rest of the jump-off with a fault-free, speedy round in 34.99 seconds. Three more athletes would attempt to outdo Colvin, however, her carefulness and efficiency around the course would ultimately lend her the win.
The 20-year-old professional athlete partnered with the 9-year-old mare, affectionately known as “Rosie” in the barn, earlier this year after teaming up with top sport horse producer Haras Rosa Mystica based out of Brazil. Since the start of the GLEF circuit, the pair have claimed multiple top finishes, including placing second in the $30,000 Welcome Stake during Week I.
Ortega and Javier Estrada Gonzalez’s Cerano Vin Dingenshof finished the class as the fastest of the 4-faulters in second place, with Scott Lenkart and Fleur De Lis Farms’ Ziezo taking home third place with 4 faults in 37.59 seconds.
FEI competition kicked off on Thursday at GLEF with the Staller 1.40m Jumper CSI2* class, which was won by Canadian athlete Rachel Schnurr and Prince Garbo, owned by Tindale Farm.
Thirty-five athletes and horses turned out to compete in the one-round competition, but none could catch Schnurr’s clear and quick performance in 61.82 seconds. Second place honors went to Mexico’s Manuel Alvarez Ruizgalindo riding his own Enjoy, who crossed the finish line fault-free in 65.35 seconds, while Theo Genn (USA) and Paula Quinn/Nina Moore’s Colora rounded out the top three with a clear round in 67.24 seconds.
Additional FEI show jumping highlights for GLEF Week III include the $50,000 North Face Farm Grand Prix CSI2* set to take place on Sunday, July 22, at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets for Sunday, click here.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Tori Colvin – $35,000 NetJets Welcome Stake CSI2* winner
On Zambia Mystic Rose:
“This is my fifth show on [Zambia Mystic Rose], and every class I do she just gets better and better. Her stride is humongous. From one to two I think I left out probably more than I thought I was going to leave out but her stride just covers so much ground. Her biggest class [so far] was at Upperville in the CSI4* grand prix. It was very large. She just jumps with so much ease.”
On getting back in the jumper ring:
“I’m just kind of getting to know her. I haven’t really had a top jumper in a while so to get back in the big jumper ring took a couple of trips but we’re getting there. It feels amazing. I’m so blessed to have her and thankful for the owner. She’s just been very special.”
RESULTS
$35,000 NetJets Welcome Stake CSI2*:
Place / Horse / Athlete / Country / Owner / R1 Faults / R2 Faults / Time
1. Zambia Mystic Rose / Victoria Colvin / USA / RM Agronegocias and Victoria Colvin LLC / 0 / 0 / 34.99
2. Cerano Vin Dingenshof / Santiago Diaz Ortega / COL / Javier Estrada Gonzalez / 0 / 4 / 36.25
3. Ziezo / Scott Lenkart / USA / Fleur De Lis Farms / 0 / 4 / 37.59
4. Cicero’s Electric / Peter Wylde / USA / Aram Ampagoumian LLC / 0 / 4 / 37.88
5. Imerald Van’t Voorhof / Paul O’Shea / IRL / Tequestrian Farms LLC / 0 / 4 / 40.82
6. End Good All Good / Javier Fernandez / MEX / Miguel Madero / 0 / 12 / 40.68
7. Komtessa / Sophie Verges / USA / Elmwood Farm / 0 / Elim
8. Zidante / Kelli Cruciotti / USA / Serenity Farm / 4 / 64.19
9. Boucanier / Theo Genn / USA / Taylor Reid / 4 / 66.22
10. Shet Du Thot / Katie Tyler / USA / Katie Tyler / 4 / 66.80
11. Viper Vrombautshoeve Z / Briley Koerner / USA / BKS Horse Farms LLC / 4 / 66.82
12. Chabello / Bruno Cavalheiro Rabello / BRA / Alfonso Gutierrez Casillas / 4 / 67.16
Sarah Mechlin Duhon and Nikko Ritter Capture Week III Hunter Championships
Earlier in the week, Hunter Ring II saw Sarah Mechlin Duhon of Mechlin Farm based in St. Louis, Missouri, and Cargo, owned by Robert McCormick, claim championship honors in the Triple C Trailer Sales GLEF Open 3′ Hunter division on Thursday.
The professional rider piloted the 16-year-old Saxony Sport Horse gelding to a win over fences on Wednesday and two more over fences wins on Thursday to secure top honors in the division.
Jennifer Nadalin and For The Crown, owned by her Sugar Run Farm, were awarded the reserve championship upon winning Wednesday’s second over fences class, finishing second in the under saddle and sharing the winner’s circle with Duhon in Thursday’s final over fences class, which was split into two sections due to a large number of entries.
In the Quasar Industries Baby Green 2’6″ Hunter division, Nikko Ritter of Nikko Ritter Show Stables based in Wellington, Florida, took home the tricolor aboard Creme De La Creme, a 5-year-old Zangersheide mare owned by Kathryn Haefner LLC.
The new pair claimed three out of four over fences classes over the course of Wednesday and Thursday in the Vankampen Ring and picked up a second place in the under saddle to earn the championship prize on Thursday. The reserve championship again went to Nadalin and Quicon Windsor Z, owned by Maria Eldemire.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Sarah Mechlin Duhon – Triple C Trailer Sales GLEF Open 3′ Hunter division champion
On Cargo:
“[Cargo] has only been in my care for a couple of months so we’ve just been getting to know each other. He’s just so smooth and consistent. All of the jumps matched and the canter matched from start to finish, I couldn’t have asked him to be better. His primary job is the older Children’s Hunters with his owner [Gwendolyn McCormick]. We’re just kind of smoothing out the edges and so far she’s been pretty successful with him this circuit. They were reserve champion the first week and winner of a class last week.”
On her Mechlin Farm:
“My family farm is based out of St. Louis, Missouri. I operate the farm with both of my parents and my husband. We have approximately 35 horses in our care, but just six horses here with us this week and mostly kids. We have some adult amateurs but they’re not here with us this week. We do a lot of imports and bringing along young hunters mostly.”
On GLEF:
“I’ve come here almost all of the last seven years. I skipped one year but here I am back again. The footing is perfect. That was maybe the one question about this facility and they’ve fixed it perfectly. Look at the view, look at the weather – there’s no other place in the country that you can horse show at right now and have this much fun. There are so many things to do outside of the horse show as well. For me and the majority of my clients, it’s our favorite place to come to.”
Nikko Ritter – Quasar Industries Baby Green 2’6″ Hunter division champion
On Creme De La Creme:
“She came over from Europe two months ago. This is her second horse show so we’re just figuring her out. She’s turning out to be really nice. Her personality, I think, is her best feature. She goes in the ring and she’s relaxed. She just gets it. She doesn’t require a lot of prep or a lot of exercise. She just goes out and does what a hunter should, which is nice. She’s a new investment horse for Stellar Equestrian and she is for sale. Next, I think we’ll step her up into a higher division – probably next week or the week after and just go from there.”
On GLEF:
“I love Traverse City because the weather’s great and the footing is good. For young horses, it allows them to experience the big show format in a nice, relaxing environment.”
Erin Floyd Earns Valuable Points in Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal on Equitation Tuesday
Equitation Tuesday competition continued during Week III of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF) as Erin Floyd of Austin, Texas, bested 14 entries in the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal class aboard Startin’ Monday, owned by Grace Boston and Don Stewart.
Floyd trains with Don Stewart of Don Stewart Stables based in Ocala, Florida, and only just began competing in the equitation in January in Wellington, Florida. With the goal of competing at this year’s indoor finals, she and the 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding impressed the judges to earn top honors on Tuesday, gaining valuable points towards qualifying for the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in October.
Taking advantage of the numerous opportunities provided for equitation exhibitors at GLEF, Floyd also punched her ticket to Maclay regionals during Week I after placing second in the ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Horsemanship class.
In addition, the 16-year-old junior rider placed second on Tuesday in the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search 1* class with Russell, owned by Floyd Sport Horses LLC, while the blue ribbon went to Taylor Griffiths, trained by Frank Madden, and Mac One III.
Other top finishes from Week III’s Equitation Tuesday were claimed by Michelle Carroll, trained by Kim Carey of Huntington Ridge Farm, and TH Investigator in the WIHS Equitation – Hunter Phase, Nora Andrews, also trained by Madden, and Ces Caro Mio in the ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Horsemanship class and Noa Diener, trained by Tiffany Morrissey of East Wind Farms, and Albano B in the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal.
GLEF Week IV will feature the final Equitation Tuesday of the circuit, allowing equitation exhibitors the chance to collect double the amount of valuable qualifying points per week in one location.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Erin Floyd – Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal winner
On Startin’ Monday:
“Monday is one of the most amazing equitation horses that I have ever ridden. He’s owned by Grace Boston and Don Stewart. He’s absolutely amazing, I love him. We started off a little fresh this morning, which is partially my fault because I have been gone riding Western horses in the mountains of Wyoming for the past week so I didn’t get a chance to work with him last week. He quieted down by the medal and really just helped me out today. I love him.”
On Tuesday’s test:
“Honestly, I haven’t tested in a while because they haven’t been requiring it recently in the classes that I’ve been in. He was such a good boy in the test. For starting off a little fresh today, he was so good in the counter-canter, the halt – everything. I really just have to thank him for helping me win.”
On training with Don Stewart:
“I’ve been riding with him since January of this year. I started with him down at circuit [at the Winter Equestrian Festival] and I’ve been with him ever since! I am qualified for Maclay [regionals] and I’m almost qualified for Medal Finals. I just started doing the big eq in January so it’s taken a little bit to qualify for everything but I can’t wait to go to my first finals this winter with Don!”
2018 Great Lakes Equestrian Festival Fast Facts:
What:
The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF) 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 and internationally rated hunter/jumper competition, featuring weekly classes and classics for children, junior, adult and amateur-owner riders. Each week, the festival also holds classes for young horses, open jumper classes and professional hunter derbies, culminating every Sunday with an exciting grand prix show jumping competition with some of the world’s top athletes.
When:
July 4-Aug. 12, 2018
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 4-8
$50,000 Great Lakes Grand Prix, presented by East Wind Farms
$30,000 Welcome Stake
$5,000 Ingram Family USHJA National Hunter Derby
GLEF II: July 10-15
$50,000 Meijer Grand Prix of Michigan
$30,000 Ingram Family Welcome Stake
WCHR week in the Grand Prix Ring
$7,500 Camping World USHJA National Hunter Derby
Equitation Tuesday
GLEF III: July 17-22
$50,000 North Face Farm Grand Prix CSI2*
$35,000 NetJets Welcome Stake CSI2*
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
Equitation Tuesday
GLEF IV: July 24-29
$50,000 Flintfields Farm Grand Prix CSI2*
$35,000 Devoucoux Welcome Stake CSI2*
$25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Copper Fox LLC
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
Equitation Tuesday
GLEF V: Aug. 1-5
$100,000 Grand Traverse Grand Prix CSI3*
$35,000 Welcome Stake CSI3*
$35,000 Grand Traverse Classic CSI3*
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
GLEF VI: Aug. 8-12
$100,000 Grand Prix of Traverse City CSI3*
$35,000 CWD Welcome Speed Stake CSI3*
$35,000 Great Lakes Classic CSI3*
Exhibitors: To submit stall reservations and entries for the 2018 GLEF circuit, click here.
Hospitality: Tables of six are available in the beautiful VIP Club overlooking the Grand Prix Ring throughout the 2018 GLEF – the perfect way to entertain clients and friends this summer! Download a table reservation form here!
Sponsorship, vendor and advertising opportunities:
Nicolle Meyer – nicky@mmg.management/440-258-5099
Matt Morrissey – matt@mmg.management/941-915-3449
Flight accommodations: Traverse City is as easy to get to as life is once you arrive! Nonstop flights from Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Detroit Metro Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport – TVC are available all summer long! Visit www.tvcairport.com for more information!
Hotel, motel, resort contact information: Please refer to greatlakesequestrianfestival.com and email concierge@mmg.management for information on hotels, campgrounds and home rentals.
Fundraising: Local organizations looking for fundraising opportunities, please contact Nicolle Meyer at nicky@mmg.management.
Management:
Morrissey Management Group
PO Box 1375
Bradenton, FL 34206
Phone: 941-744-5465
Fax: 941-744-0874
