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07/14/2006
Three-week event means millions for TC area
Katie Lenkart, 4, from Delano, Minn., gives Sullivan, a Belgium warmblood, a treat. Katie’s father, Scott, is a rider and will ride in the junior jumper class at Horse Shows by the Bay. TRAVERSE CITY — Several horses will trot away victorious at Horse Shows by the Bay events this month, but the host city might be the real winner. Show organizers estimate participants will spend $4 to $5 million in the area during the three-week competition. The show is held near Wuerfel Park on U.S. 31 South in Blair Township (GET MAP). Alexandra Rheinheimer and her husband started the horse show in 2004 and the operation has grown from 300 to 600 competing horses. "Each horse yields about three people per horse, traditionally a trainer, groomer and rider," she said. "On non-show days, they are spending a lot of money staying in hotels, eating at restaurants, renting cars and enjoying what the city has to offer in the summer." The horse show season runs most of the year and several participants travel the country competing to earn points toward a prestigious fall show. Ridering affiliates representing all parts of the United States are in attendance to compete in Traverse City. This year, "Hunters" and "Four Star" jumpers are featured. Oregon native Tara Brothers is a rider for Cincinnati-based All Seasons Farm. She travels to about 20 horse shows each year and said Traverse City is ideal for competing and relaxing afterwards. "I love the area and having the water right there," she said. "There is good footing here (to compete) and it's a nice place to stay because we are on the road constantly." The organization is looking for a permanent location near Traverse City for future equestrian festivals. Rheinheimer said Traverse City is an ideal destination for a Midwest horse show and hopes it ultimately will rival popular equestrian locations such as Vermont and the Hamptons in New York. Carol DeAngelis, manager of Northern Pines Farms in Maple City, said she was thrilled when a Double A Level horse show came to the area. "It's getting bigger and better each year," she said. "If you look at the demographic that participates, it's an expensive sport. Many of those dollars are staying here." Fritz Heller is general manager of the Fairfield Inn near the show grounds and said several people from the horse show have booked rooms, some staying as long as a month. "I can't imagine in this down economy that anyone is going to turn down any business," he said. "It's a positive for the entire community. It benefits us all: restaurants, gas stations, laundromats. We all win." The horse show operates on a $1 million budget provided by 35 sponsors from mostly within the show industry. The equestrian festival boasts 36 staff members and offers more than $330,000 in prize money and awards, Rheinheimer said. More information: http://www.horseshowsbythebay.com
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