Traverse City, MI – July 10, 2025—Keri Potter (USA) opened the second week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by B&D Builders, with a victory in the $32,000 CSI3* Two-Phase riding Kalimera van de Nethe Z on Thursday.
The 11th season of GLEF features six weeks of FEI competition running through August 10, showcasing an FEI Nations Cup CSIO3*, the FEI North American Youth Championships and the return of Major League Show Jumping CSI5* competition to Traverse City. Highlights also include the $100,000 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Central Spectacular and weekly qualifiers for the all-new $150,000 Traverse City Equitation Championships debuting in September.
Potter, who hails from Del Mar, CA, and her 10-year-old Zangersheide mare made their international debut one year ago. Their partnership has developed into consistent top finishes, including three top-five placings since the end of May.
“She loves fifth gear and feels most comfortable when she’s going fast,” said Potter, who got the ride on the Kasanova de la Pomme X Bessemeind’s Quasimodo Z mare from owner and U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Karl Cook. “I don’t decide, she decides. And when she decides to put herself in that gear, she wants to stay there. If I try to ask for a little more control, it doesn’t work in my favor. I let her go at her speed, which is fast.”
Kalimera van de Nethe Z’s footspeed paid off over course designer Meghan Rawlins’ (CAN) two-phase track. They stopped the clock in the speed phase at 28.51, nearly a full second faster than runner up Erynn Ballard. The Canadian Olympian posted a time of 29.11 seconds riding Coline de Will, owned by Ilan Ferder. Jimmy Torano (USA) finished third aboard his own Kochio Z in 29.79 seconds.
Potter will spend the next three weeks at Traverse City Horse Shows. She discovered the venue through coaching at the FEI North American Youth Championships and has accompanied several clients on a trip east from California this season. “For me, getting out of California and doing something different is important,” she said. “Getting to compete at new places, experience different rings and course designers and compete against different riders only broadens you and makes you a better rider.”
International competition continues at Flintfields Horse Park with the $32,000 MacAllister Rentals CSI3* Welcome Stake on Friday. Complete results from the $32,000 CSI3* Two-Phase can be found here.
Hunt Tosh Sweeps Perfect Products High Performance Hunters During WCHR Week
Dominating the Highstreet Arena during World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Week at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders, Hunt Tosh of Milton, GA, won every class of the Perfect Products High Performance Hunter division to take champion on Cannon Creek.
The 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cancara carried Tosh to top scores of 94 and 90 on Thursday to clinch the tri-color. A day earlier, they were first over fences and under saddle, highlighted by a 90 in the handy round.
“He’s been so successful in his career and I’m lucky to have him,” said Tosh of the gelding owned by The Wheeler Family of Viriginia. “We don’t show him very much and try to pick venues like this; great footing, atmosphere and wonderful facilities.”
Reigning champions and four-time winners of the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, Tosh and Cannon Creek have their sights set on Saturday’s $100,000 WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular. Then, they will focus on returning to Kentucky to defend their 2024 derby finals title.
“He knows his job and I try to stay out of his way,” said Tosh. “Days like today when he goes and performs like he did, it gives you goosebumps.
“Being WCHR week, there are so many great horses out there, and it makes it a pinnacle week,” continued Tosh. “You have to make sure you can perform on the right day in the right moment. It’s a good way to gauge where the horses are at and make sure they shine when they need to. There are so many shows nowadays, you can get wrapped up in the routine, but when you have a WCHR week, it’s time for your a-game and we always try to make it happen.”
Reserve champion in the Perfect Products High Performance Hunter division was presented to Chappy, ridden by Greg Crolick of Clarkston, MI.
For full results from the Perfect Products High Performance Hunter division, click here.
About Traverse City Horse Shows
Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS) offers 13 weeks of top equestrian competition each summer at Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg, Michigan—just 15 minutes from downtown Traverse City. The venue blends world-class sport with the natural beauty of Northern Michigan and features 12 weeks of FEI-ranked events, including three five-stars and an FEI Nations Cup CSIO3*.
The season culminates in the three-week Tournament of Champions, highlighted by the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI5*-W—Traverse City and $340,000 American Gold Cup CSI5*. New this year, the $100,000 Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship and $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship deliver big prize money and prestige to the equitation ranks.
For more information on the season, visit TraverseCityHorseShows.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
