Traverse City, Mich. – Oct. 28, 2019 – As one of the most rapidly growing horse shows in the country with substantial improvements and expansion taking place in recent years, the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by CaptiveOne Advisors, LLC, is thrilled to announce that the Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) will be held concurrently with the series’ final week for the first time in 2020 and will return to Flintfields Horse Park in 2021 and 2022. Chosen as the newest venue for the prestigious competition, GLEF will add another jewel to its active summer schedule, with both the show jumping and dressage sections of the event taking place August 4 – 9, 2020. The GLEF team is dedicated to offering an unrivaled championship experience for qualified exhibitors and their families and have already begun making preparations for the exciting competition next summer.
“Our team is thrilled to be selected to host the North American Youth Championships,” said Matt Morrissey, the event organizer. “This is one of the most prestigious championships in our sport and we look forward to welcoming the athletes and their families to Flintfields Horse Park and Traverse City this summer. Traverse City is a great summer destination and we are excited to organize a special and memorable week.”
Ahead of the 2020 NAYC, GLEF has partnered with event director and top international competition organizer, Thomas Baur, who has managed dressage at NAYC as well as other major championships including the FEI World Equestrian Games. Baur will serve as the on-site competition dressage supervisor for dressage exhibitors. Additionally, GLEF will offer substantial prize money to each of the age-group divisions and other incentives to encourage young athletes to make qualification for the 2020 NAYC a main goal of their youth careers. Show jumping competitors can expect expert courses created by master designer Olaf Peterson, Jr. of Germany, and all exhibitors will receive priority treatment as the main challengers in the venue’s major arenas.
No stranger to upper-level competition during its events, GLEF is an experienced competition that has boasted CSI2* and CSI3* ratings, as well as World Champion Hunter Rider weeks, during its summer series. Run by Morrissey Management Group, one of the most well-respected equestrian event operations in the country, GLEF provides opulent hospitality, first-class footing and stabling, exhilarating competition and thrilling exhibitions and entertainment, making it one of North America’s most sought-after shows. Adding to the appeal, Traverse City has been ranked as one of the small town travel spots thanks to its mild climate, endless summer activities, superb dining, waterfront lodging options, and breathtaking landscape, all of which combine to make the area a favorite amongst exhibitors and spectators alike.
Due to the area’s popularity as a summer vacation destination, GLEF encourages exhibitors and guests to make lodging arrangements as soon as possible. Hotel room blocks have been reserved at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Delamar Hotel, Fairfield Inn & Suites Traverse City, All Seasons Resort, Grand Beach Resort, Sugar Beach Resort and the Great Wolf Lodge for NAYC competitors and their families. Please use code NAYC when booking. Additional accommodation options can be found at traversecity.bookdirect.net. Please call or email Beth Hobbs at Traverse City Tourism at 231-995-3912 or beth@traversecity.com to book groups of eight or more. For additional assistance, please email concierge@mmg.management.
The NAYC is the premiere equestrian competition in North America for children, junior and young riders ranging in age from 12 to 21. Young equestrians have to qualify to earn entry, and then vie for team and individual FEI medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. The competition is run under rules of the FEI, the international governing body for equestrian sport, and is the only FEI championship held annually on this continent. Athletes from various nations will compete over fences ranging in height from 1.25m to 1.50m, with the competition format similar to that of international senior championships like the Olympic Games.
NAYC athlete applications will become available by Jan. 1, 2020.
A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2020 FEI North American Youth Championships. For more information on how to become a sponsor, please contact Nicolle Meyer at nicky@mmg.management.
For more information, please visit greatlakesequestrianfestival.com.