Traverse City, MI – July 5, 2025—Simon McCarthy (IRL) was back to winning ways in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring on Saturday with a victory in the $30,000 Traverse City National Grand Prix aboard Gotcha during opening week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders.
Eighteen competitors took to the Mauricio Garcia (PUR) designed track with eight returning for jump-off. McCarthy laid down the winning ride as the first in the jump-off to go clear on a time of 39.011 seconds with partner Gotcha, a 14-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Rock Ridge Farms.
“There wasn’t a clear round in the jump-off before I headed in, but I knew I had Olivia Sweetnam coming after me,” said McCarthy. “She’s half my age but unbelievably fast, so I knew I had to put the pressure on.”
McCarthy was right to put on the pressure ahead of Sweetnam as the 16-year-old from Wellington, FL, finished on the heels of the lead after pocketing her first three-star win a day earlier. She finished clear in 39.422 seconds with 14-year-old mare Capitola, owned by Monika Preston.
Gotcha, out of Stakkato, has been a long-time international mount for McCarthy, competing through the five-star level and most recently taking second in a five-star speed in April.
“She’s had a break over the past few months, so I wanted to use this week to keep her in shape and get her back in the ring,” said McCarthy. “We’re building towards the Nations Cup here in a few weeks. She’s quite difficult to keep fit, but she felt great out there today.”
Closing out the podium was Alexandra Ryden of Cary, NC, and Irandole du Flot, owned by Precision Equine. The pair finished double-clear with a short course time of 41.942 seconds.
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.
Complete results from the $30,000 Traverse City National Grand Prix can be found here.
The Rachel Herkowitz 3’6″ Junior Hunter Classic Belongs to Remy Becker
Combined small and large junior hunters of both age groups at the 3’6” height took to the Highstreet Arena on Saturday afternoon for the Rachel Herkowitz 3’6” Junior Hunter Classic.
The top twelve scoring riders from their respective divisions’ first round qualified to compete in the classic. Coming in on a first-round score of 87 from the 15 & Under Large Junior Hunters, Remy Becker of Wellington, FL, and Gloèj, owned by Eleanor Rooney, took the top call. After scoring an 88 in the classic round, the pair totaled 175.
“He’s a great horse,” said Becker of the 10-year-old gelding. “Once I get him going in the ring, I know it’s going to be good.”
Just returning from Adequan/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship where the pair had top-three placings, Becker has found her stride with Gloèj since being paired with him earlier this year.
“He can be spooky at certain venues, but he seems to really love it here,” said Becker. “He loved the jumps out there today, and I had a good feeling throughout the whole course.”
Coming in second was Katharine Reuter of Mill Valley, CA, and Day Won, owned by Balmoral. The pair scored an 83 in the 16-17 Small Junior Hunters, but climbed up the podium after scoring a 90 in the classic round. Closing out the top three was Olivia Sweetnam of Wellington, FL, and MTM Encore, owned by David Connors. Sweetnam secured a first-round score of 84.75 in the 16-17 Small Junior Hunters and secured her podium finish with a classic score of 87.
Following her win, Becker aims to be consistent at the 3’6” height with Gloèj ahead of indoor finals in the fall.
For full results from the Rachel Herkowitz 3’6” Junior Hunter Classic, 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.
