Superb competition, splendid weather, prizes mark first week

A thrilling first week one of competition has concluded at the 2009 Horse Shows by the Bay equestrian festival.

A dramatic Saturday saw both Patricia Griffith and North Country and Lillie Keenan and Genuine receive overall 373 scores in the $15,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby. The tie was broken by Griffith's round two score, where her decision to take the higher options and make the tight inside turns paid off and she received all ten bonus points from both pairs of judges.

Thirty-five riders competed in that day’s main event in the Grand Prix Ring. Course Designer Dean Rheinheimer set a challenging track that included a bank jump, a snake fence, and an in-and-out option, as well as options for inside turns.

Taking the risk paid off for Griffith, as she was the only rider to receive all ten bonus points for handiness from the judges. "That's what won the class," admitted Griffith. "Lillie and I tied, so had I not done that and jumped the bigger one I would have gotten second and wished I'd jumped the bigger one."

Five Star Tack of Holicong, PA donated a custom bridle to the winner of the Derby. And, a beautiful complimentary exhibitor party was held, sponsored by Hillside Farm and Friends, Bloomfield Hills, Mich; Rush and Carl Weedon of Brookwood Farm, Lake Bluff, Ill; and Outback Steakhouse, Traverse City, Mich.

On Sunday, Ali Wolff and H&M Necoll won the $30,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix of Traverse City. The pair took top honors in a class of twenty-three entries for their first grand prix win together.

Canadian course designer Eve Frisque set the track for the afternoon's class in the Grand Prix Ring and eleven entries went clear over the first round course to jump-off. Four of those entries went double clear and Ali Wolff had two of the double clear rides.

This is Ali Wolff's second grand prix win, following her first at the Winter

Equestrian Festival in 2007 with her other horse, Lanoo. It is Wolff's first year competing at Horse Shows by the Bay.

"I have never even been to Michigan even and I think that it is really nicely done," Wolff said of the Show. "The weather is great, the show grounds are well kept and I love it; it is gorgeous here."

Wolff is a student at University of Tampa.

Highlights for the upcoming week two of the show include:

Friday: Open Jumper Welcome Prix, 3pm
Saturday: AC Paw Animal Rescue Doggy Costume Parade & Fundraiser, 2pm
High Junior/Amateur Show Jumping Prix, 2:30pm
Sunday: Show Hunter Classics, 10am
Grand Traverse Bay Grand Prix, 2 pm

For more information, visit www.horseshowsbythebay.com

Kids, families turn out for Kids Day

Hundreds of kids of all ages turned out for the 2009 version of Kids Day at Horse Shows by the Bay.

Activities included a dog agility demonstration by the Grand Traverse/Leelanau 4-H, pony rides, a jumping course game, blue ribbon prizes for all, and an appearance by the Horse Shows by the Bay mascot.

The events took place alongside the farm house near the entrance of Flintfields. It was the second consecutive year that families from throughout the region turned out to enjoy the games and experience the Horse Show. The event was sponsored by Voelker Implement Sales.