Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel and Grand Traverse Resort and Spa to become Official Partners of Flintfields Horse Park
Traverse City, Mich. – Jan. 14, 2020 – Flintfields Horse Park and Traverse City Horse Shows, LLC, the parent company of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival and the new Traverse City Spring Horse Show, are proud to announce a new cultural and marketing partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, their properties Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa and their other businesses.
The partnership will celebrate the culture and history of the Grand Traverse Band, while at the same time connecting horse show competitors and spectators with the many wonderful opportunities and amenities available to them at Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel and Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, both just a short drive from Flintfields Horse Park.
As a significant sponsor, the Grand Traverse Band will also be an important part of the venue and event’s growth over the next several years.
“We are honored to partner with the Grand Traverse Band. They are leaders in our community, and we look forward to integrating elements of their culture into our events,” said Matt Morrissey, Event Director of Traverse City Horse Shows. “We have always believed that what makes our event special to our competitors and their families is our location in Northern Michigan and Traverse City. The Band is an integral part of the region, and through this partnership we look forward to sharing their culture and history while at the same time enriching the experience of our competitors.”
“We are both honored and grateful to further expand our partnership with the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival,” said Thurlow “Sam” McClellan, Tribal Chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. “Last year’s cultural exhibition at the grand prix was truly a positive experience for not only the GLEF participants and guests, but for our tribal members and our dancers, singers, and drummers. Everyone enjoyed the day. We appreciate the welcoming and respectful atmosphere we received, and it was a highlight of our summer. The GLEF community truly embraced our culture, and we look forward to sharing more of our stories and traditions with them for years to come.”
As the Official Resorts & Fun Partners of Traverse City Horse Shows, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa and Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel will provide competitors and their families with everything they need to Stay and Play while they are in Traverse City. In addition to offering guaranteed, discounted room rates and accommodation options, the wealth of amenities offered on both campuses – including the spa, restaurants, shopping, fitness center and world-class golf courses – will provide something fun for everyone to do while they are in town.
“As a destination horse show, we welcome not just competitors, but their whole families, as well,” said Morrissey. “Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel and Grand Traverse Resort and Spa offer something for everyone to enjoy and align with our mission to provide an exceptional experience for our guests.”
On-site, Turtle Creek Casino will also have a high-profile presence at Flintfields Horse Park as the naming rights partner of the Grand Prix Ring. Starting in 2020, the main competition arena will be known as the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring for all current and any future new events at the venue.
Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel will also become the Presenting Partner of the new events added in June. Traverse City Spring Horse Shows, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, will take place June 11 – 21 and will feature two weeks of FEI competition, culminating with the $50,000 Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel Grand Prix on Sunday, June 21. An internationally-recognized competition with world ranking points, this event is expected to attract competitors from around the country.
As an Official Partner of the Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships and the Presenting Sponsor of the Junior Jumper Team and Individual Championship, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa will help to roll out the red carpet for the athletes and their families. In addition to providing a room block, they will also collaborate with event organizers to create a special Riders Lounge on-site for the athletes and chef d’equipes.
“The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival sets the bar at the highest level in area entertainment, and so do we at Turtle Creek Casino; it is a natural fit,” said Michael Schrader, CEO of Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos. “We appreciate the opportunity to serve as official partners of Flintfields Horse Park and associate our name with the prestigious International Ring and Grand Prix. The close proximity of Turtle Creek and Grand Traverse Resort and Spa with Flintfields Horse Park creates the perfect trifecta for fun and games for all of our guests.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the Grand Traverse Band’s partnership,” said Morrissey. “Their support will allow us to continue to make significant improvements to the venue and has enabled us to expand from six to eight weeks this summer. More importantly, they share our commitment to the community and our vision of providing a special and memorable experience for our participants, their families, our spectators and partners. We look forward to a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship together and can’t wait for this summer.”
For more information, please visit traversecityhorseshows.com.
