Traverse City, MI – August 2, 2025—Canada’s Sam Walker and Carruso PJ bested a field bursting with talent to win the $117,000 The Dexter CSI3* Grand Prix on Saturday evening during Traverse City Horse Shows’ fifth week at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by B&D Builders.
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.
Peter Grant (CAN) designed the evening’s course, setting the stage for the fellow northerner’s success. Seven advanced to the jump-off, which included representation from four different nations, including Canada, the U.S. Israel and Australia.
Walker, 23, and Carruso PJ, a 9-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Carridam x Stakkato) owned by Holman Imports, led the victory gallop after stopping the clock a half a second faster than the closest challenger.
“Although he’s green, when you turn the jets on and go fast, he definitely shows up to the occasion,” said Walker of the up-and-coming mount that was previously campaigned as a young horse by U.S. athlete Carly Anthony. “It’s been a lot of learning for both of us; he’s only nine and hasn’t had very much experience at such a high level. But, he’s been extremely consistent since we’ve stepped him up.”
When the Holman Family asked Walker to take over the ride, he first noticed how smart the gelding was. “If we make a mistake, I know he’s going to come back and learn from it,” said Walker of the horse he also describes as a ‘Golden Retriever’ around the barn. “I’ve never ridden a horse this smart in my entire life; I have nothing but praise for him. I hope that I get to have a long partnership with him because he’s a dream to ride.”
Walker recently returned to the traditions of his junior career and is back riding within the program of John Brennan and Missy Clark’s North Run. “It’s a pleasure to be back; it’s a proven spot to produce young horses and young riders all the way to the Olympic level. I could not be more grateful for the team at North Run, and I can’t wait for a long partnership there.”
Fellow Canadian and 2024 Paris Olympian Erynn Ballard jumped into the runner-up position aboard Dior, an 11-year-old Swedish-bred mare by Diamantino for owner Ilan Ferder. She stopped the jump-off clock at 41.13 seconds.
In addition to being runner-up, Ballard also took home the Turnham Green Leading Lady Rider Award title for GLEF five, her third leading lady designation of the GLEF season.
The fastest four-fault round over the short course, Spencer Smith (USA) piloted HHS Seattle—a 12-year-old Irish-bred Pacino gelding—to a time of 41.08 seconds and third place for owners Ashland Farms and Don Stewart.
Complete results from the $117,000 The Dexter CSI3* Grand Prix can be found here.
Highstreet Community Foundation has partnered with Traverse City Horse Shows on a “Clear for the Cause” initiative to show how much they care. Each time a rider cleared both the Highstreet and Traverse City Horse Shows fences in Saturday’s competition, Highstreet Community Foundation pledged $50 to local causes, including Brickways—which assists individuals with disabilities to lead independent lives—and Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan. At the conclusion of the grand prix, $1,450 was donated.
All Eyes on Traverse City Equitation Championship Qualifying
Qualifying is now hotting up during week five of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by B&D Builders, for the $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship and the $100,000 Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship, both taking place during the Tournament of Champions at Flintfields Horse Park in September.
Taking place on Friday of GLEF V, the TCHS 3’3” Championship Qualifier belonged to junior rider Xia Tabanou of Rosehill, TX, and Las Vegas, owned by Deer Creek Farm. The pair topped the podium after an over fences class and a test of the top eight on the flat.
“His character’s a big thing for me,” said Tabanou of 10-year-old Finnish Warmblood gelding. “He’s the sweetest guy in the barn and the most forgiving over the jumps. When I sat on him for the first time, I was like, ‘wow’, this is such a quality horse.”
Only paired together for five weeks, the duo has quickly found their stride.
“I wanted to have a smooth round,” said Tabanou. “He has such a big stride, so my biggest goals were getting him back in the corners and putting him together. My favorite things about the round were that I did that well and met all the jumps well. He jumped them in beautiful style, so I was very happy with it.”
Taking second place over the 3’3” height was Charlotte Galley of Barrington, IL, and Cashman, owned by Carly Hoft, while Lyndsey Keen of Ocala, FL, and Valiant, owned by Over The Top Stables, took third.
“I love that they’re giving this opportunity because a lot of the equitation classes don’t have that opportunity like the hunters and jumpers do to get prize money consistently,” said Tabanou of the newly added TCHS equitation championships. “It’s great for the equitation world because it’s a world in and of itself. It’s incredible to be able to step in and prepare for the rest of finals as well, and to have a big class to gear up for the rest of finals.”
Currently training with Don Stewart, Hunter Holloway, and Caroline McLeese, Tabanou has moved from the hunters to the equitation as her focus for the rest of her junior career at the age of 17.
The standings for the $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship currently see Pavlina Escobedo of Coral Gables, FL, on top with 474 points, Hailey Fox of Ocala, FL, with 438 points, and Sydney Mohrhardt of Winnetka, IL, with 405 points. Overall standings can be viewed here.
For full results of the TCHS 3’3” Championship Qualifier, click here.
Anna Tyler Keeps Calm to Win TCHS 3’6” Equitation Qualifier
The TCHS 3’6” Equitation Qualifier took place on Saturday of GLEF V with Anna Tyler of Raleigh, NC, and Keep Calm, owned by Terrapin Hill Farm, taking the win.
Riding with Don Stewart, Tyler keeps herself busy during the Traverse City Horse Shows circuit, competing consistently across equitation and junior hunter classes. A newer mount for Tyler, Keep Calm is aimed at the $100,000 Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship taking place during the Tournament of Champions this fall.
“I’ve had him for about three weeks, and he’s been nothing but great so far,” said Tyler of the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. “He has a great canter and jump so it makes for a fun ride.”
Working towards several finals in the fall, Tyler has added the inaugural TCHS Equitation Championship to her list.
“It’s nice to have a new thing to work toward,” said Tyler. “It makes it fun to have these throughout the season.”
Taking second was Clayton Farrell of Venice, FL, and Pepsi Van T’Hoogstehof, owned by Gunnar Roeer, while Katelyn Martin of Tampa, FL, and her own Crosby 48 took third.
The top three on the 3’6” leaderboard are Lauren Schmitt of Bloomfield Hills, MI, with 761 points, Olivia Sweetnam of Wellington, FL, with 735 points, and Ella Endzweig of Palm Beach, FL, with 492 points. Overall standings can be viewed here.
Qualifying for both the $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship and the $100,000 Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship will continue at participating events throughout the 2025 competition season. Each championship will feature the top 50 qualified riders and consist of two rounds, each judged by a panel of two judges.
For the full results of the TCHS 3’6” Equitation Championship Qualifier, 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.
