Hunters Ride for Points and Prize Money During WCHR Week at Horse Shows by the Bay
Equestrian News Release

Traverse City, MI - May 8, 2008 - The first week of competition at Horse Shows by the Bay (July 16-20) has been awarded this year the prestigious World Champion Hunter Rider sanctioning by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF). Horse Shows by the Bay is a three-week equestrian festival held in scenic Traverse City, Michigan, from July 16 to August 3. In addition to its WCHR sanctioning, Horse Shows by the Bay will hold numerous hunter classics throughout the three weeks of competition and will offer fantastic prize money.

Attaining sanctioning from the AHJF to designate a competition as a World Champion Hunter Rider show is not easy, and the organization uses a system based on a clearly defined set of criteria. Members of the AHJF vote via ballots and rank the shows on a variety of aspects and standards. The following are some aspects that are rated: footing, schooling areas, exhibitor and spectator parking, scheduling for rated hunter divisions, award presentations, ring size, judges and officials, management and staff, stabling, announcing and response to exhibitor feedback.

By reaching the standards of the AHJF, Horse Shows by the Bay draws some of the best hunter riders in the nation. Last year, they hosted the 2007 AHJF Hunter Spectacular winner Tim Gogeun, two-time WCHR Rider of the Year Louise Serio, and three-time WCHR Rider of the Year Peter Pletcher, among many others.

Highlight classes for the hunters in 2008 include the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Janet P. Read - member event of the ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Dietrich Insurance, featuring Walsh Harness & Saddlery. This special event is one in a series of high performance classes for hunters. It will be held on Saturday, July 26.

There will be $5,000 NAL/WIHS Classics for Adult and Children's Hunters, which are sponsored by Lisa A.H. Cudahy, on Saturday, July 19. The $5,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic, sponsored by Lanes End, and a $5,000 Pony Hunter Classic sponsored by Peter Pletcher, are on Sunday, July 20. The $1,000 Ride for the Ribbon 2'6" Non-Pro Hunter Classic is on Saturday, July 26.

In addition to these great classes, there are other hunter classics held during each week for Short Stirrup, Pony Hunters, Children's Pony Hunters, Junior/Amateur-Owners, Children's, and Adult Hunters.

Each week at Horse Shows by the Bay, the Grand Hunter champions, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Shook, will win awards in divisions for Conformation Hunter, Working Hunter, Pony Hunter, Junior Hunter, Amateur-Owner Hunter, Adult Hunter, Children's Hunter, and Children's Pony Hunter.

For more information regarding Horse Shows by the Bay and to see a complete schedule of the hunter events, please visit http://www.horseshowsbythebay.com.


2008 HORSE SHOWS BY THE BAY FAST FACTS

EVENT: Horse Shows by the Bay

WHAT: A three week equestrian festival that is "AA" rated, World Champion Hunter Rider sanctioned, and hosts a $25,000 grand prix each week. Horse Shows by the Bay hosts 1,200 horses and offers more than $360,000 in prize money.

WHERE: Flintfields Horse Park, 6535 Bates Road, Williamsburg, MI 49690 - 10 miles east from the beautiful Resort town of Traverse City

WHEN: July 16-August 3, 2008

HIGHLIGHTS:
Friday, July 18, July 25, and Thursday, July 31
$10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix

Saturday, July 19
$10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix
$5,000 Adult Hunter Classic, sponsored by Lisa A.H. Cudahy
$5,000 Children's Hunter Classic, sponsored by Lisa A.H. Cudahy
Kid's Day Program

Sunday, July 20
$25,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix of Traverse City
$5,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic, sponsored by Lanes End
$5,000 Pony Hunter Classic, sponsored by Peter Pletcher

Saturday, July 26
$10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix
$10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Janet P. Read - member event of the ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Dietrich Insurance, featuring Walsh Harness & Saddlery.
$1,000 Ride for the Ribbon 2'6" Non-Pro Hunter Classic

Sunday, July 27
$25,000 Grand Traverse Bay Grand Prix

Friday, August 1
University of Michigan vs. Michigan State University Polo Match & Charity Fundraiser

Saturday, August 2
$25,000 D-BRAIDER Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix

Sunday, August 3
$10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix
$10,000 Children's/Adult Jumper Prix

ADDITIONAL WEEKLY FEATURES:
$2,500 Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classics
$2,500 Children's & Adult Jumper Classics
$3,000 NAL Open Speed Qualifiers
USEF "AA" Hunter Divisions
"A" & "C" Rated Hunter Classics
Young Jumper Championship Qualifiers
New Hunter Breeding Divisions
New Short Stirrup and Children's Pony Hunter Classics
Non-rated Hunter, Jumper, & Equitation Classes
Charity Fundraisers
Daily and Weekly Exhibitor Socials and Parties

HOURS:
Wednesday through Sunday, beginning at 8 a.m.

ADMISSION:
Wed and Thursday - Closed to the Public
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays - $5/person, Children under 5 are free
July 19 - Children under the age of 18 Free
General admission tickets can be purchased at the gate

PARKING: Available on-site; included in admission price

DIRECTIONS:
From South East Michigan (Detroit Area):
I-75 North to M-72 West (@ Grayling); Follow M-72 West through Kalkaska; @ Williamsburg continue 1.9 miles to Bates Road; after Rail Road Crossing turn right onto Bates Road; Show Facility on Left 1 mile

From Mid Michigan (Lansing Area):
Follow US-127 north to Clare; Merge onto M-10 Wes/M-115 West towards Ludington/Cadillac to Route 115 North; Merge onto M-131 North; Turn left onto Fife Lake Road/CR-605; Follow jog left staying on CR-605 to Williamsburg; Turn left on M-72 West; @ Williamsburg continue west 1.9 miles to Bates Road; after Rail Road Crossing turn right onto Bates Road; Show Facility on Left 1 mile

From South West Michigan (Grand Rapids Area):
East I-96 north to Grand Rapids; take US 131 north to Cadillac; Turn left onto Fife Lake Road/CR-605; Follow jog left staying on CR-605 to Williamsburg; Turn left on M-72 West; @ Williamsburg continue 1.9 miles to Bates Road; after Rail Road Crossing turn right onto Bates Road; Show Facility on Left 1 mile

From Northern Michigan (Petoskey Area):
US 31 South to Acme; East on M-72 3 miles; just prior to Railroad Tracks, turn left on Bates Road; Show Facility on Left 1 mile

From Traverse City:
Follow US 31 East to Acme; turn East on M-72 3 miles; just prior to Railroad tracks,
Turn left on Bates Road; Show Facility on Left 1 mile

By Air :
Use the Cherry Capital Airport-Traverse City; Follow Directions from TC

OFFICIAL HOST HOTEL:
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Michigan's finest and most comprehensive resort experience, 3 miles west of Flintfields Horse Park, Group Block Rate expires May 16, 2008
http://www.grandtraverseresort.com
800-236-1577

FEATURE HOTEL:
Park Place Hotel
In the heart of downtown Traverse City's shopping and dining district, group block rate expires June 1, 2008
http://www.park-place-hotel.com
231-946-5000

ADDITONAL BLUE RIBBON HOST HOTELS:
Grand Beach Resort, 231-938-4455
Park Shore Resort, 231-947-3800
Sugar Beach Resort, 231-938-0100
Super 8- East Bay, 231-938-1887
Traverse Victorian Inn, 231-947-5525
Holiday Inn-West Bay, 800-888-8020
Pointes North Resort, 800-968-3422
Shanty Creek Resorts, 800-678-4111
Timber Ridge RV Resort, 800-909-2327
For all other Group Rates & Additional Hotel Listings, contact 1800-TRAVERS


Photo Credit: Three-time WCHR Rider of the Year Peter Pletcher at last year's Horse Shows by the Bay. Photo (C) 2008 Randi Muster. This photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.