Header Image

Join us in July and August for some spectacular events!


Superb hospitality and numerous charity fundraisers are just some of the many extras that riders, owners and trainers have to look forward to as a participant of this year’s Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival. 

Set among the backdrop of the Grand Traverse Bay, the month-long United States Equestrian Federation sanctioned event will provide morning breakfast socials, afternoon wine and cheese gatherings and dinner parties both on and off site for all that attend.

As a kind gesture to those that are working in the wee-hours of the morning complimentary coffee and donuts will be the first thing to greet exhibitors as they prepare for each show day. For those that miss out on the early morning treats, bagels and juice will be served twice weekly at the show ring in-gates.  

For those that have learned to love Traverse City’s local award-winning wines and hand-crafted beer, they will get their opportunity to sample selections from Bowers Harbor Vineyards and Jolly Pumpkin Brewery each Thursday as weekly Wine, Beer, and Cheese socials are scheduled to take place ringside.

The first and third Saturday of the Festival will also include complimentary exhibitor’s parties to coincide with the $15,000 USHJA Hunter Derby Classic and the $30,000 Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix respectively.  The Derby Dinner will feature catering by Outback Steakhouse, while the Series III party will serve as a benefit for the Michigan chapter of the national horse rescue group CANTER-USA.  

Fun events like a doggy costume parade and contest, kid’s day, a kickball tournament, and the off-site “Taste of Traverse City” fundraiser are all designed to make sure both participants and the local community come out and enjoy the event.

The many generous promoters of the Festival will also get to experience the white glove treatment as weekly on-site VIP/Sponsor luncheons have been scheduled to coincide with each Sunday’s feature Grand Prix Ring event. 

And, new this year is an exclusive, invitation-only sponsor cocktail party that’s being hosted at Federico’s Design Jeweler.  The historic downtown Traverse City location promises to be a superb setting for what is to be an evening set among diamonds, high fashion, and gourmet downtown cuisine and spirits.  

All of this and more is what awaits the thousands of participants who will be attending the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival.  Festivities take place from July 8 through August 2, 2009.  For more information please click here!