Potter Doubles Down in Traverse City with Blazing Win

Keri Potter and Kalimera Van De Nethe Z are making a habit of winning in Traverse City. Just one week after topping the Southern Arches CSI3* Grand Prix, the pair returned to Flintfields Horse Park and once again stole the spotlight—this time claiming the $117,000 Elk Rapids Marina CSI3* Grand Prix during Week III of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF).

Saturday’s class featured a tightly packed jump-off, but Potter and the 10-year-old Zangersheide mare—owned by U.S. Olympic silver medalist Karl Cook—rose to the challenge, stopping the clock in a blistering 34.05 seconds over Michel Vaillancourt’s (CAN) short course.

Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard held the early lead aboard Campari with a tidy clear in 36.97 seconds. The pair ultimately settled for second, notching their third podium finish of GLEF III. Ballard was also recognized with the Turnham Green Leading Lady Rider Award for her consistent performances throughout the week.

Rounding out the top three was Hunter Holloway (USA) and Henry Jota Ariel, who turned in a fast and faultless round in 37.99 seconds.

GLEF continues its high-caliber summer schedule through August 10, with the upcoming weeks featuring the FEI North American Youth Championships, an FEI Nations Cup CSIO3*, and the return of Major League Show Jumping CSI5* competition. Also on deck are the $100,000 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Central Spectacular and weekly qualifiers for the brand-new $150,000 Traverse City Equitation Championships, debuting this fall.

Photo by Stefan Lafrentz