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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

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Tagged under: great lakes equestrian festival, traverse city michigan

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Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

#dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #cheval #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #paard #dressurpferd
We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
13.1hh, Welsh section B
Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
AI only and EVA negative
Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
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