Now in its third week, the 2019 Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by CaptiveOne Advisors, LLC, is touting an FEI CSI2* rating to kick-off the horse show’s first of four weeks of international competition throughout the series. With three FEI-rated classes, competition will be tight as some of the world’s best athletes vie for top honors.
Week III’s FEI contests and increased prize money will attract 30 horse-and-athlete partnerships from four separate nations: the United States, Canada, Ireland and Germany. Already with a number of grand prix wins to his name in Traverse City this season, Wilhelm Genn (GER) will be one to watch, while Conor O’Regan and Willie Tynan will make their 2019 GLEF debuts carrying the hope of the Irish as the representatives of Ireland. Riding for the home nation, notable American names include Andrew Welles, Hardin Towell and Lauren Tisbo, with Gavin Moylan, Samantha Alexis Mackenzie and Stephanie Gallucci carrying the flag for Canada.
FEI competition in the Grand Prix Ring begins Thursday at the Flintfields Horse Park with the $1,000 1.40m Jumper CSI2* class. Friday will highlight the $35,700 Welcome Stake CSI2*, while Sunday will feature the week’s most coveted prize, the $71,200 North Face Farm Grand Prix CSI2*, beginning at 2 p.m.
Flintfields Horse Park will continue to host three more internationally-ranked competition weeks throughout the remainder of the 2019 GLEF circuit. Week IV holds another CSI2* rating, while Week V and VI boast a more prestigious CSI3* rating.
To see the full FEI list of riders for GLEF Week III, click here. For more information, please visit greatlakesequestrianfestival.com.