As the 2024 Traverse City Horse Shows came to a close at Flintfields Horse Park on Sunday, a series of special awards and recognitions were celebrated. After 13 weeks of equestrian competition, leading riders and special honors were part of the pomp and circumstance of the American Gold Cup—an iconic U.S. grand prix that dates back more than 50 years.
Leading Jumper Rider Bonus | Riders Boutique Leading Equitation Rider Award
Ride Ever Stride Trainer Award | The Glen Farm Trophy | Michael Meller Style of Riding Award
$30,000 Leading Jumper Rider Bonus
After a season of thrilling successes in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring, the USA’s Charlotte Jacobs was awarded with the $30,000 Leading Jumper Rider Bonus title after accumulating the most points in National Grand Prix and FEI 1.45m or greater events throughout the 2024 Traverse City Horse Shows season. Jacobs of East Aurora, NY, found success riding showground favorite Rincoola Milsean, also known as ‘Roy,’ an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by North Star Sport Horses. Together, Charlotte and Roy had an outstanding season at Flintfields Horse Park, including victories in the $120,000 Agero CSI3* Grand Prix during the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament and the $75,000 Meijer CSI2* Grand Prix during the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival.
View Charlotte’s feature on 9&10 News after her success in Northern Michigan.
Riders Boutique Leading Equitation Rider Award
Traverse City Horse Shows was home to elite jumper as well as competitive hunter and equitation competition throughout it schedule. Highlighting equitation competition, the Riders Boutique Leading Equitation Rider Award was presented in its inaugural year to Morgan Stewart. The honor recognizes the equitation rider who earned the most points in 11 & Under, 12 to 14 and 15 to 17 divisions throughout the season. Stewart, 11, of King George, VA, trains with with Liz Reilly out of Makoto Farm and competes in the pony hunters and 11 & Under equitation divisions.
As part of this achievement, Morgan received a Butet saddle, courtesy of Riders Boutique.
Ride Ever Stride Trainer Award
Ride Every Stride continued a tradition of presented a Trainer Award at the conclusion of the season. This year, the award was given to Paula Randall of Plain Bay Sales. To earn the titled, Paula demonstrated exceptional horsemanship and achievements throughout the Traverse City Horse Show series.
Thank you, Paula!
The Glen Farm Trophy
Now in its fourth year, the Glen Farm Trophy is given to honor outstanding ambassadors in equestrian sport. The award carries the legacy of the late Mason Phelps, a visionary in our sport who passed away in 2021. In previous years, the honor went to Michael Morrissey in 2021, Steven Wilde in 2022, and Patty Taylor in 2023. In 2024, Traverse City Horse Shows proudly presented the Glen Farm Trophy to Margie Engle, one of the sport’s most decorated and respected riders. This year, Margie notched her 250th career win at Flintfields Horse Park earlier this summer. She competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, earned a team silver medal at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Aachen in 2006, and is a three-time Pan American Games medalist, including team gold and individual bronze at the 2003 Santo Domingo Games and team silver at the 1999 Winnipeg Games. More recently, she was inducted into the show jumping hall of fame.
Michael Meller Style of Riding Award
The Michael Meller Style of Riding Award has become a tradition at Traverse City Horse Shows and was once again presented to cap the 2024 competition season. The award is given to those exemplifying true class and horsemanship in the sport. This year, the honor was bestowed upon the 2024 U.S. Equestrian Team. Joan Jacobs presented the award to Mclain Ward, who represented the team that rode for Team USA at the Paris Olympic Games this summer.
See why the U.S. Equestrian Team was selected.
Accelerate the Care
Serving as the perfect ending to a spectacular season, Accelerate the Care was presented with $8,033 from ticket proceeds on American Gold Cup Sunday. Accelerate the Care was the final charity ticket partner of the season, which aligned with local non-profit organizations to promote equestrian sport to a wide local audience and give back to the Northern Michigan community. To learn more about the Traverse City Horse Shows Charity Ticket Program, click here.
