Traverse City, MI – July 3, 2025—Ireland’s Simon McCarthy rode to victory on opening day of international competition at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders on Thursday. He topped the $32,000 CSI3* Speed aboard Narcotique v/h Dingenshof to kick off the 11th season of GLEF and top show jumping at Flintfields Horse Park.
The mid-summer series 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.
McCarthy, 29, set the pace as the first to enter the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring, leaving the rest of the field to chase him over Mauricio Garcia’s (PUR) course.
The only competitor to come close to his time of 60.60 seconds was Charlotte Jacobs (USA) riding 10-year-old Irish-bred gelding Thomascourt Ballypatrick, owned by North Star.
Jacobs, who currently sits within the top five of the Traverse City Leading Rider standings, stopped the clock in 60.68 to take second. Fellow American Daisy Farish and Etonemoi del Cabalero finished third in 62.37 second for owner Lanes End Showjumping.
“She’s very fast at this level, so even going first didn’t affect us too much,” admitted McCarthy. Together, he and Narcotique v/h Dingenshof have notched 14 international victories, more than half being over speed tracks. “I stick to my own plan with her and I’m very grateful for the results she has given me.”
Narcotique v/h Dingenshof—a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Harley x Chacco-Blue)— has become a consistent campaigner for McCarthy as he now focuses on stepping up some of his young stock.
“Her job has been to be a speed horse recently as I’ve been giving some of the younger horses time to develop into the grand prix,” he said.
“This summer is very exciting and I’m fortunate to be coming back to Traverse City for some of the bigger events,” added McCarthy, who will point two up-and-coming nine year olds at the five-star offerings taking place later in the season.
Three-star competition continues during GLEF I with the $32,000 AVID Hotel CSI3* Welcome Stake on Friday before culminating with the $117,000 Meijer Grand Prix CSI3* Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon.
Complete results from the $25,000 Traverse City Grand Prix can be found here.
Nick Haness Snags Another Title in 3’6 Performance Hunters
Continuing his current streak, Nick Haness of Temecula, CA, returned to the Highstreet Arena winner’s circle on Thursday to kick off hunter action during the premiere week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by B&D Builders.
Partnered with Montauk, a 16-year-old gelding owned by Glade Run Farm out of Pennsylvania, Haness claimed champion of the 3’6” Performance Hunter division.
“Montauk’s a funny character,” said Haness. “He chooses the days he’s ready to be committed and focused to win—and when he’s in the mood for it—he’s the best jumper and the most classic hunter.”
Claiming champion after taking two over-fences wins with scores of 90 and 87, and a third-place finish under saddle, Montauk started off GLEF in winning spirits.
“Yesterday, I don’t think he liked the lunch in VIP,” joked Haness. “He didn’t want to go towards that side of the arena but today, I guess he liked the lunch because he gave a great performance.”
Reserve champion distinctions went to 10-year-old Can Do This VA, ridden by Morgan van Nortwick of Reston, VA, and owned by Hermosa Sport Horses out of California.
Ahead of the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week, held during GLEF 2, Haness is preparing his best contenders for a week of top competition.
“With Montauk feeling as great as he is, he’s a top contender for the 3’6” Performance during WCHR week,” said Haness. “If he goes well, he’s pretty tough to beat.”
For complete hunter division results from opening week at GLEF, 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.
