Traverse City Tournament of Champions Returns with Olympic Talent and High-Stakes Competitions

Traverse City, MI: Flintfields Horse Park will host the Tournament of Champions from September 4 to September 22, featuring world-class show jumping and is the pinnacle of the 2024 season in Northern Michigan.

The centerpiece of the three-week series is the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ of Traverse City on September 15. This premier event will attract the attention of the global equestrian community, including top riders and Olympians fresh from their performances in Paris. The grand prix will be rebroadcast on CBS Sports on September 16 at 6 p.m.

Three Weeks of Action

The fall series showcases the best in equestrian sport with a robust lineup of events.

• September 4-8: Silver Oak Jumper Tournament, culminating in the $120,000 Agero 3* Grand Prix on September 8.
• September 11-15: The penultimate week leads up to the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ of Traverse City CSI5*-W on September 15. The week’s grand prix is a qualifier for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Basel, Switzerland, in April 2025.
• September 18–22: For the final week, the Major League Show Jumping Team Competition is on Saturday, September 21, and the $340,000 CSI5* American Gold Cup is on the final Sunday of the season. These events offer a dynamic conclusion to the series, combining high-energy team competition with the tradition of the American Gold Cup, now in its 54th year.

Who to Watch

Spectators will be treated to captivating performances from Olympians representing various nations at both the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ of Traverse City and the American Gold Cup, making these events must-see. This year’s tournament features several standout athletes, including Team USA’s McLain Ward and Karl Cook, who, alongside Laura Kraut, secured a Silver Medal in Team Jumping at the Paris Olympics.

Community Welcomed

“Every summer, Flintfields Horse Park transforms into a dynamic hub of equestrian excellence,” said Matt Morrissey, Event Director. “We are especially excited about this season’s final two weeks, showcasing two 5-star competitions and attracting top global talent. We’re deeply grateful for the community’s warm welcome—it’s crucial in bringing these world-class events and athletes to Traverse City.”

Morrissey encourages anyone who has yet to experience the shows this year to come out for the final two weeks. These competitions reinforce Traverse City’s growing status as a premier destination for world-class equestrian sport. He says it’s an opportunity to celebrate the sport and represent the community and the unique charm of Northern Michigan.

“While we may not have Versailles as a backdrop, Northern Michigan’s natural beauty during the fall provides a stunning setting for the Olympic-level action in the ring.”

Featured Riders:

• Karl Cook (USA) – Team silver medalist at Paris 2024 and reigning American Gold Cup champion.
• Mclain Ward (USA) – Team silver medalist at Paris 2024, currently world no. 12 with four Olympic medals.
• Kent Farrington (USA) – 2020 American Gold Cup winner, ranked no. 6 in the world.
• Lillie Keenan (USA) – Shortlisted for Paris 2024, currently ranked in the world’s top 50.
• Callie Schott (USA) – Shortlisted for Paris 2024, currently ranked in the world’s top 50.
• Erynn Ballard (CAN) – Paris 2024 athlete, currently ranked as the second-best Canadian rider in the world at no. 22.
• Daniel Bluman (ISR) – Paris 2024 athlete from Israel, currently ranked in the world’s top 25.
• Abdel Saïd (BEL) – Tokyo 2020 athlete from Belgium.
• Shane Sweetnam (IRL) – 2022 American Gold Cup winner and Paris 2024 athlete from Ireland, currently ranked world no. 11.
• Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) – Paris 2024 athlete and former Olympic champion for Brazil.
• Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA) – Paris 2024 athlete from Saudi Arabia, making his Traverse City debut.