The 2025 Traverse City Horse Shows season delivered 13 weeks of world-class sport and new milestones for Northern Michigan. Michigan’s first FEI Nations Cup™—won by Team USA—headlined a calendar that also included championships for hunters, jumpers, equitation, and young horses.
The season closed with two spectacular weeks of sport, featuring the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI5*-W–Traverse City and the 55th American Gold Cup, where world no. 1 Kent Farrington captured top honors in both.
None of this would have been possible without the commitment of our riders, trainers, sponsors, and fans who made this year so memorable. Today, we celebrate the outstanding individuals and moments that defined the season with our year-end awards.
Leading Open Jumper Rider Award
Canada’s Erynn Ballard was honored as the 2025 Leading Open Jumper Rider at Traverse City Horse Shows. A fixture in the international ranks and currently Canada’s top-ranked rider, Ballard delivered consistent results all season at Flintfields Horse Park. With wins in the $32,000 MacAllister CSI3* Welcome Stake and the $32,000 Boehringer Ingelheim CSI3* Speed, she showed precision and grit aboard multiple mounts, setting the pace across the summer circuit.
She was recognized during the American Gold Cup and presented with a Urtopia Joy Carbon E-bike by Pedego Traverse City in celebration of her achievements.
Mason Phelps — Glen Farm Trophy
The Glen Farm Trophy, honoring the late Mason Phelps, recognizes ambassadors whose leadership and generosity strengthen the future of show jumping. This year’s recipients are the Jacobs Family, represented by Joan and Lou Jacobs, Charlotte Jacobs, and Matt Calderwood.
The Jacobs family has been instrumental to Traverse City Horse Shows—supporting the USHJA Young Jumper Championships—and have long contributed nationally as event organizers, committee members, and supporters of horse shows across the country. We are proud to recognize their enduring commitment to young horses, this community, and the sport as a whole.
M. Michael Meller Style of Riding Award
The M. Michael Meller Style of Riding Award honors a rider whose horsemanship, professionalism, and presence elevate the sport. This year’s recipient is Francisco Goyoaga Mollet, recognized for his consistent podium finishes, commitment to Traverse City Horse Shows, and gracious sportsmanship with fans, visitors, and media.
A fourth-generation horseman, Goyoaga carries forward a family tradition of excellence while forging his own path at the top of the sport.
Riders Boutique Leading Equitation Rider presented by Butet
The Leading Equitation Award, sponsored by Riders Boutique and Butet Saumur, recognizes the rider who accumulated the most points across age group equitation divisions during the season. This year’s honor goes to Charlotte Galley, who trains with Abby Blankenship of Three Ships LLC.
For her consistency and outstanding performances, Charlotte will receive a Butet practice saddle. We proudly recognize her achievement and thank Riders Boutique and Butet Saumur for their support of equitation at Traverse City Horse Shows.
Clear for the Cause by Highstreet Community Foundation
The Clear for the Cause initiative, powered by the Highstreet Community Foundation, turned every clear round over branded fences during our weekly grand prix into support for local and global nonprofits. This year’s effort raised a season total of $12,100, benefitting Brickways, JustWorld International, and Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan.
We thank the Highstreet Community Foundation for making this season-long partnership possible and for helping strengthen communities both here in Northern Michigan and around the world.
Charity Ticket Program: Community Impact
This week, Traverse City Horse Shows celebrated its 2025 Charity Ticket Program with two special presentations.
On Sunday, Accelerate the Care—supporting Northern Michigan’s Alzheimer’s community—was featured as the Charity Partner of the Week, highlighted with their annual classic car raffle and a check presentation in the International Ring.
We also welcomed representatives from all 14 nonprofit partners to the ring to mark the close of the season. Together, through 100% of general admission ticket sales, the program contributed $55,505 to local organizations this summer—underscoring the power of sport to give back to the community.
