SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Sidelines Caps
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Thursday, July 20 2017 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Equestrian Destination: Traverse City, Michigan

Enjoy shopping, and going to the horse show, while in Traverse City, Michigan.

By Allyson Lagiovane

Thousands of exhibitors will travel to Traverse City, Michigan, this year to participate in one of the most popular events of the summer, the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF). Hosted at Flintfields Horse Park, GLEF takes place annually through July and August, bringing equestrians from around the world to compete in rated hunter-jumper divisions.

Experience a metropolitan atmosphere coupled with the friendliness of the professionally trained staff that will surely make a lasting impression at Asian-infusion restaurant Red Ginger in downtown Traverse City.
Photo courtesy of Red Ginger

Yet the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival isn’t the only reason exhibitors keep going to Traverse City every summer. Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, the city boasts both breathtaking scenery and rich culture, offering an abundance of activities, restaurants, wineries and events for all to enjoy on those relaxing days off from the horse show.

Traverse City is known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” and the city hosts an annual week-long National Cherry Festival to celebrate the city’s signature fruit. This family-friendly event is in its 91st year, always held during the first full week of July (July 1–8 this year), and is jam-packed with over 150 different activities such as air shows, fireworks, nightly concerts and, of course, plenty of opportunities to taste Traverse City’s irresistible cherries.

A must-visit in Traverse City is the historic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which was named the “Most Beautiful Place in America” by ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
Photo courtesy of Traverse City Tourism

This cherry celebration attracts approximately 500,000 visitors from across the state of Michigan as well as around the world. For those on a budget, the festival is an affordable event to attend as almost all of the activities are free. The festival truly embodies the ‘Pure Michigan’ spirit, bringing together wholesome, local agriculture to one of Michigan’s ‘purest’ gems, Traverse City.

A beautiful vineyard sunset.
Photo courtesy of Traverse City Tourism

Local food hotspots are also a staple in Traverse City, offering cuisine from many different cultures to satisfy your hunger. Red Ginger is an Asian dining experience located in the heart of downtown Traverse City next to the historic State Theatre. The popular restaurant was opened in 2007 by executive chef Dan Marsh and wife Pam. The menu celebrates all of the excitement, allure and interest that makes Asian cuisine deliciously satisfying, while sourcing the highest-quality ingredients available and embracing local and seasonal product.

For the wine connoisseurs, relax after a long day with a glass in hand at one of Traverse City’s many popular vineyards. Take in breathtaking views while enjoying local fine wine and good company.

Torch Lake sandbar is where most GLEF exhibitors spend their days off from the horse show during the summer.
Photo courtesy of Ivan Rakowsky

If wine is not your beverage of choice, visit one of Michigan’s original micro-distilleries, the Grand Traverse Distillery, which produces award-winning spirits made from locally milled, fermented and distilled grains. Get a taste for Traverse City and learn the process from grain to bottle for their whiskey, vodka, gin and rum on one of their guided tours. The Grand Traverse Distillery takes you on a historic journey through time, before prohibition, when distilling was an art performed by skilled craftsmen. Stop by one of Grand Traverse Distillery’s downtown tasting rooms to enjoy a cocktail and weekly entertainment with friends.

If you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature, look no further than Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Shaped by glaciers years ago, the dunes were named the “Most Beautiful Place in America” by ABC’s “Good Morning America.” One afternoon isn’t enough to see all of the beauty the Dunes have to offer along the 64-mile curve of vistas, freshwater beaches and hiking trails galore. The newest trail, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, runs 27 miles from the northern end of the park to just south of Empire, Michigan.

Traverse City is situated on the shores of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay.
Photo courtesy of Traverse City Tourism

The Dunes are teeming with wildlife and a diverse ecosystem as the crystal-clear waters of Lake Michigan glisten alongside the shore and forests. Whether you’re single or bringing the whole family, summertime is the perfect season to enjoy swimming, scuba diving and soaking up the sun’s rays along the stunning beaches of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Margie Engle and Indigo competing at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival.
Photo by Taylor Renner/Phelps Media Group

Summer is also the perfect season to unwind at the picturesque Torch Lake, the pride and joy of Traverse City. Torch Lake is the largest lake in Michigan, covering over 18,000 acres and stretching 19 miles long. Escape with one of the lake’s popular activities such as canoeing, paddle boarding, diving or boating. For the fishermen, try your hand at catching one of the lake’s native species such as lake trout, rock bass, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, pike, rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon or whitefish. On the sunniest days, the turquoise waters resemble that of the Caribbean, and offer an oasis like no other. During the GLEF circuit, exhibitors flock to the Torch Lake sandbar with their boats and pontoons on days off from the horse show to relax and enjoy the resort nature of the Traverse City area.

Aaron Vale and Carlo showing off their skills at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival.
Photo by Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group

Traverse City, Michigan, is more than a summer horse show destination for equestrians. There’s no shortage of brilliant scenery, family-friendly activities and local cuisine and wines to enjoy on days off from competing. Taking the trip to Traverse City will earn you more than ribbons as you experience the rich history the city has to offer and walk away with memories that will last a lifetime.

A leadline rider is all smiles at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival.
Photo by Taylor Renner/Phelps Media Group

Double D Trailers Info

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: great lakes equestrian festival, traverse city michigan

What you can read next

The Ins and Outs of Indoors
Todd Minikus – “There’s No Crying in Show Jumping”
Rob Gray: Success Without the Saddle

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Jessica West always rode any horse that was availa Jessica West always rode any horse that was available to her throughout her Junior career, so she knew she had an advantage when she decided she wanted to ride on an NCAA team in college. Now a senior at @@auburnu and majoring in psychology, Jessica has enjoyed everything about the equestrian team and is ready to move on to her next adventure. 

Read more about Jessica at the link in our bio!

#ncea #ncaa #equestrian #collegiateequestrian #huntseatequitation #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #collegelife #showjumper #hunterhorse #horseshow #sidelinesmagazine
In the unique and challenging sport of combined dr In the unique and challenging sport of combined driving, Jacob Arnold has proven himself to be a bona fide star. It’s been said that success develops from a recipe based on hard work, perseverance, learning and sacrifice, paired with a love of what one is doing. Since the time he was a boy, Jacob has had the right combination of all of those ingredients, which have culminated in a meteoric rise to stardom.

Beginning his career as a Junior, Jacob earned the coveted @usequestrian Junior Equestrian of the Year award in 2011. Since then, he has taken the combined driving world by storm, competing successfully in four @fei_global World Championships. He also won the USEF Advanced Pair Horse National Championship in 2020 and 2021, among other victories—all before the age of 28, in a sport that has historically been dominated by older drivers. Last September, he placed 12th—the highest of any American driver—at the 2021 FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs in a field of over 100 top-level drivers.

Read more about @jacobarnoldcombineddriving at the link in our bio!

@alex.banks.photography #combineddriving #drivendressage #dressage #driving #carriage #horsedriving #equestrianstyle #equestrianlife #horselover #drivinghorse #carriagehorse #showhorse #sidelinesmagazine
@rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the f @rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the first equestrian Major of 2022, winning the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters. In doing so he also claimed an additional bonus for non-consecutive Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping wins, following his victory at CHIO Aachen last year. The German champion’s outstanding performance riding his trusted partner Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z once again makes him the live contender for the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

Catch up on all the action and watch the free highlights video on the Sidelines Show World blog (link in bio!)

#showjumping #rolex #grandslam #rolexgrandslam #showjumper #dutch #netherlands #dutchwarmbloods #equestrianlife #hunterhorse #hunterjumper #equestrianstyle #showhorses #showjumpersofinstagram #jumpinghorse #grandprixjumer #grandprixhorse #sidelinesmagazine
Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 ac Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 acres in Jupiter Farms, Florida.

Jupiter Farms is an equestrian community with a trail system and a sand riding arena at the park. Charming home features vaulted ceilings, custom trim, custom lighting in master bedroom that changes color with a remote. Granite countertops in kitchen and laundry room. New 2022 stackable washer/dryer. Privacy fenced backyard with beautiful tall pines for shade, many palm trees also on property.

Secure fenced  25’ x 25’ pen with wood fencing , for a horse, dogs or a garden.  Wonderful property in desirable Jupiter Farms. 45 minutes to Wellington, 25 minutes to Jupiter Dog Beach. Perfect oasis for dog and horse lovers, close to everything in South Florida. MLS# 10778333, Agents welcome.

$655,000
Contact 561-246-9317
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Holly Ann Chaney
    EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY SPECIALIST Wellington resident for 20+ years Dedicated to client satisfaction & results Longtime member of the equine community glash REAL ESTATE HOLLY ANN CHANEY Broker Associate 13501 South Shore Boulevard #102 Office: 561.653.6195 Mobile: 561.719.0828 Holly.chaney@Elliman.com Douglas Elliman

    [Read more]

  • IRT - Your horse. Our passion.

    Join one of IRT's weekly flights from Europe to the US.

    • Over 45 years experience flying horses
    • Global network of offices including UK, Germany and USA
    • Unrivalled levels of care from our flying grooms
    irtaus@irt.com,

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022
  • Better Business with Malvern Bank: Michael Meller’s Secrets to Success
  • Third Annual Painted Ponies Art Walk takes over Southern Pines, NC!

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Jung Ends as He Began — On Top — at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™
  • ROLEX TESTIMONEE DANIEL DEUSSER WINS ROLEX GRAND PRIX AT 2022 DUTCH MASTERS
  • STABLE VIEW IN AIKEN POSTPONING ‘A’ RATED $400,000 H/J CHALLENGE SERIES DUE TO RESTRICTIVE MILEAGE RULE

Category

Recent Posts

  • Steffen Peters: Grateful to Pursue the American Dream 

    By Kimberly Gatto Portraits by Lori Ovanessian ...
  • Taylor Land: A Positive Outlook on Show Jumping

    By Cheyenne Lord Portraits by Kristie Scholten ...
  • Unbridled With John Roper

    By Britney Grover     John Roper absolutel...
  • Unbridled with Bev Bedard

    By Britney Grover     Other than leaving f...
  • Katie Duerrhammer: Driven by Love and Respect for Horses

    By Kimberly Gatto Portraits by Melissa Fuller &...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!