July 17, 2006—Traverse City, Michigan: Maple Park, Illinois resident Steve Schaefer and his horse Winchester out-jumped a field of twenty to win the $25,000 Grand Prix of Traverse City during Series I of Horse Shows by the Bay, Traverse City, Michigan. Eight horse and rider combinations returned to compete over the shortened course designed Sunday by international course designer Guilherme Jorge. Schaefer and Winchester crossed through the finish markers penalty free and in a time of 46.486 seconds, almost two seconds faster than second place finisher and local crowd favorite Melissa Anne Hirt and Mighty Mess of Northern Pines Farm. It was Schaefer’s inside turn to fence 3a in the jump off that enabled him to shave so much time and ultimately take over the lead from Hirt who was originally leading by going double clear. “We are thrilled to have a “AA” show in our backyard and are pleased to see the show continue to grow bigger and better,” said Northern Pines Farm Manager Carol DeAngelis of Maple City, Michigan. Hirt also trained Jessica Miltz and Olaf to the third place win.
Additional Series I Grand Prix Ring Feature events included the Positive Step Farm sponsored $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix which was won by Scott Lenkart and Impulsive and the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior-Amateur Owner Prix which was won by Haylie Jayne riding Pafier for owner Rachel Spencer. Each Classic winner was presented with a wool cooler donated by English Riding Supply of Scranton, PA.
In the Main Hunter Ring Dr. Brad Wolf and Pacemaker were crowned Grand Amateur Owner Hunter Champions and Haylie Jayne riding Caped Crusader for Missy Clark received the Grand Junior Hunter Champion Award. Additional Grand Hunter Awards went to Lance ridden by owner Robert Fisher (Adult), Madeline Cooley and Paradise (Children’s) and Megan Davis with Sir Elton (Pony). The Pony Hunter Classic, sponsored by Janet Read, was won by Alexandra Joseph and Northwinds Top Secret and the Junior-Amateur Owner Hunter Classic blue ribbon sponsored by Mr and Mrs John Ingram went to Emily Van der walde riding DaSilva’s Pride.
The first of three silent auctions staged in the charity tent on vendor’s row finished up on Sunday where over $3400 was raised to benefit the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research. In addition, the 2’6” Non-Pro Ride for the Ribbon Hunter Classic sponsored by Victory Fitness raised additional funds for the charity as all entry money from the classic was donated back to the fund created by Stefanie Spielman and her husband Chris. Sharon Van der walde of Ride for the Ribbon and Kathy Brown from Victory Fitness were ringside to award the classic blue ribbon to Victoria Czaplicka and Oberon. Sharon was very pleased with the auction and looks forward to expanding the Ride for the Ribbon Hunter Classics to shows outside the state of Michigan next year.
Sunday’s events were concluded with the Celebration Exhibitor Party at Trattoria Stella sponsored by Tom Wright and Uphill Farm Investments. The extensive menu created by Chef Myles Anton included Ahi Tuna tartar on watermelon with fig caponata, duck liver foie gras pate with cherry geletini, lamb short ribs with balsamic honey glaze and prosciutto wrapped scallops with lemon zabionne and a full open bar.
Horse Shows by the Bay, Series II is sold out and starts this Wednesday with rated professional hunter classes and jumper classes at all levels. Traverse City is famous for their award winning vineyards, cherry festival, restaurants, climate, pristine beachfront, golf courses, shopping, and casinos. For more information please visit www.horsesportsbythebay.com.
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