Know your courbette from your capriole? Your rail from your spread fence? Thought not. That’s why we called in up-and-coming young equestrian Ali Peterson to help us all get more out of Horse Shows by the Bay at Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City, July 8 through August 2. When she’s not competing herself (watch for Ali and her Arabian, Kassidy, in the hunter jump class), Ali will be blogging in our Community to give us an up-close and behind-the-scenes scoop on this equestrian festival that draws thousands of award-winning horses and riders to compete in show jumping, dressage, show hunter, equitation and polo.

More Horse Shows by the Bay

Check out our interview with Horse Shows co-founder Alex Rheinheimer

Read Ali’s Blog in our Community

See Horse Shows by the Bay

Want your own ringside seat? Spectators are welcome at the weekend feature events, which include Grand Prix plus exhibitions and a polo tournament on August 2. Admission to most events is $5. For details, horseshowsbythebay.com.

Photo(s) by Brian Confer