Ballard 2nd in Grand Prix, Leading Lady Rider at GLEF III

Keri Potter (USA) and Kalimera Van De Nethe Z made it two-for-two in Traverse City on Saturday by repeating their winning performance from a week earlier and clinching the $117,000 Elk Rapids Marina CSI3* Grand Prix during week three of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by B&D Builders. After topping the Southern Arches CSI3*Grand Prix just one week earlier, the pair returned to Flintfields Horse Park and again emerged victorious.

A woman on a bay horse during a prize-giving ceremony.

Keri Potter and Kalimera van de Nethe Z. (Photo © Sam Garvin / TCHS)

The 11th season of GLEF now heads into week four of 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.

Potter stopped the clock with a smile, clearing the short course designed by Michel Vailliancourt (CAN) in a time of 34.05 seconds, beating out a field of 12 horse-and-rider combinations and pushing early leader and Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard into second.

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“I’m a bit in shock, honestly,” said Potter of her repeat win. “I went towards the end of a pack of very fast riders so I knew where I needed to cut some lines but she’s so quick across the ground. It becomes fun to go fast on her.”

The 10-year-old Zangersheide mare owned by U.S. Olympic silver medalist Karl Cook has repeatedly proved her speed over several weeks at Flintfields Horse Park, a skill that Potter has learned to harness.

“She’s the quickest, most careful, scopey horse I’ve ever ridden,” explained Potter. “Probably one of the most challenging as well; it’s taken a while to create this partnership, but she and I now know each other so well now that we trust each other.

“I spend a lot of time taking her out to eat grass and giving her carrots,” said Potter of how she developed a relationship with the mare. “The bond we have is special, and I think she tries hard for me because of the extra time I spend with her.”

Ballard and Campari kept it consistent, finishing second on the podium for the third time during GLEF III. The pair held the early lead with a clear time of 36.97 seconds around the short course. At the conclusion of the day’s featured event, Ballard, who also placed 8th in this class ring Her Game Ball BG, was awarded with the Turnham Green Leading Lady Rider Award.

Closing out the top three was USA’s Hunter Holloway and Henry Jota Ariel, owned by Hays Investment Corporation, finishing just a second over Ballard’s time on 37.99 seconds.

Based in Del Mar, CA, Potter picked Flintfields Horse Park as her first competition venture out east, making a name for herself and making the most of what Flintfields has to offer.

“This facility is incredible and great for the horses,” said Potter of the venue. “The footing is the best I’ve ever jumped on, and the atmosphere is amazing. Being able to compete with all these top riders raises the level for me as well and makes me excited to compete.”

International jumping competition will return for week four of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, featuring the first ever CSIO3* Nations Cup of Traverse City.

Complete results from the $117,000 Elk Rapids Marina CSI3* Grand Prix here.