The Ticker has learned that the future of one of Traverse City's primary tourism economic engines -- Horse Shows By The Bay -- is now in serious doubt amidst a debate over dates, dollars, and property.

The show brings thousands of well-heeled equestrian riders and their horses and staffs to town for as many as four weeks each summer. Since its 2004 beginnings, the event has always been owned and operated by Alex Rheinheimer; the last several years, the show has been held at Flintfields Horse Park in Acme, owned by Karin Flint.

A dispute between Rheinheimer and Flint now has the sport's governing body involved and the location -- or even existence -- of an equestrian competition this summer in jeopardy.

According to several sources, Rheinheimer wanted a long-term lease or outright purchase of Flintfields and to have the property devoted exclusively to horse events but was met with what she believed were outrageous price increases. Flint, meanwhile, has sought to host other events on the property such as concerts, and has raised lease or sale prices as she believes the value has increased.

"We had very different opinions about the value of the property," Flint says. "That was my investment, and I couldn't maintain a place year-round with just four weeks of events there." 

Rheinheimer went looking around the region for a new home, eventually settling on a 100-plus acre parcel on Supply Road in Whitewater Township, for which she has a purchase agreement, according to Doug Mansfield, who is serving as a consultant to Rheinheimer.

What happened next has elevated the debate to a national level, as the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) stepped in and refused to renew Horse Shows By The Bay's license to host the show because of a lack of facility. Rheinheimer has countered that not only does she have a property (on Supply Road), but that USEF rules entitle her to maintain her license but potentially take a year off to prepare the parcel for competition. A letter writing campaign to the USEF has begun in support of her efforts to get the license back.

Flint, meanwhile, has contracted with Stadium Jumping, Inc. of Bradenton, Fla. to step in and host an all-new horse show at Flintfields during the July dates in question. The event has received the USEF's initial blessing.

"New management, new horse shows, same venue," Matt Morrissey of Stadium Jumping tells The Ticker. The proposed new show is to be called the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival.

Rheinheimer has filed a complaint with the USEF; a hearing will be held in late January or early February to begin to unravel the licensing issue.

Will a show be held this summer? Will it be on Supply Road or under a new name at Flintfields in Acme? The unknowns have community and tourism leaders very concerned; the four-week horse show contributes an estimated $12 million to the local economy every year.

Traverse City Chamber CEO Doug Luciani tells The Ticker "it would be a disaster" if somehow the show is no longer held here.

Cherry Capital Aiport Executive Director Kevin Klein, in Atlanta for an annual meeting with Delta Airlines, spells out more clearly the potential impact.

"I'm very nervous. We see 5-7 passengers per horse, so that's almost 9,000 passengers to us and to the [airline] carriers. The potential loss of an event like this could mean a reduction of overall air service during our peak summer season, which would affect restaurants, retailers, waiters, waitresses, the housekeeping staffs at hotels. They're all dependent upon these events for jobs."

Rheinheimer would not comment on the situation because of the pending hearing. Others had plenty to say:

Jay Zollinger, Acme Township Supervisor
“We try to stay out of it and not take sides. We recognize that Horse Shows by the Bay has a big impact on the greater Grand Traverse region – not just Acme Township. If there wasn't a Horse Shows by the Bay in Acme, but it was held elsewhere in the area – for example, Whitewater Township – the same economic impact might come to our businesses, because people might still stay at the Resort and eat at our restaurants. It's a hard thing to measure from a township perspective because it's not a direct dollar effect; we don't have any taxes on what goes on there.”

Melissa Hirt, Owner, Northern Pines Farm, Maple City
"In general I want to see horse shows continue in the Traverse City area. It's been such a privilege for my clients to compete here and not have to travel...people are out there trying to make some sort of horse show series happen. I'm all in support of whatever happens at this point."

Rob Evina, Vice President of the Acme Business Association (ABA), Owner of Woodland Creek Furniture
"There's no question it's brought money into our area. However, it looks pretty good that another promoter is going to be here hosting another show of the same size and quality...So we hope there is still a horse show in the community. It brings a lot of quality people to this area, and everybody feels it. Horse Shows by the Bay is a first-class event, but it would not be the same event in another venue. People come from all over the country because of the amenities that park has. It's a first-class facility. It's just sad that it's gotten to this point.”

Brad VanDommelen, Traverse City Tourism
"Obviously we'd love to see the event continue and grow. I don't want to get in the middle of the dispute and take sides, but we certainly hope the event will continue. I'd hate to see the great momentum disrupted."

Pam Marsh, Owner, Red Ginger
“The month of July is our biggest month of the year and HSBB was a large part of that, but the bigger picture is the entire community will suffer an enormous economic devastation. Horse Show by the Bay is an event that has impacted our local economy with zero negative impact. As we know there are always two sides to every story but to so many this appears to be a difference between two individuals."

Doug Luciani, TC Chamber
"I’ll be writing a letter to the USEF, letting them know how important the event has been to Traverse City and how important Alex specifically has been to its success here."