Olivia Sweetnam and Alice Goodwin Make History in Traverse City Equitation Championships

Championship Saturday at Flintfields Horse Park introduced something brand new to the equitation calendar: the inaugural Traverse City Equitation Championships. With unprecedented prize money on the line, two riders rose to the occasion—Olivia Sweetnam and Alice Goodwin—each securing landmark victories.

In the $100,000 Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship, 16-year-old Sweetnam of Wellington, FL, put in polished performances aboard Seven Miles. After two rounds, she and Madison Ramsey separated by only two points, forcing a decisive flat test. Sweetnam held her composure to finish with a winning total of 177.5, edging Ramsey’s 176 for the inaugural title. Lily Epstein, rounded out the podium with Charlie Brown on 171.

Over in the $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship, it was Alice Goodwin, who claimed the spotlight. Against a strong field of 25 qualifiers, she delivered consistent rides that impressed judges Jimmy Torano and Bill Schaub, securing her place in the history books as the first-ever winner of the class.

Both championships required riders to qualify throughout the summer season, with courses designed by Thomas Brawley. The format, the atmosphere, and the record-setting prize purses underscored Traverse City’s commitment to elevating the equitation division.

For Sweetnam and Goodwin, Saturday’s wins weren’t just about blue ribbons—they were about setting the tone for what could become a defining tradition at Traverse City Horse Shows.

Photo by Pexel