WILLIAMSBURG -- It's time again for the ever-growing Horse Shows by the Bay.
The sixth annual equestrian festival kicked off Wednesday at the Flintfields Horse Park off M-72 near Williamsburg.
"It's what we work toward all year," founder and co-owner Alex Rheinheimer said. "The opening bell was at 8 a.m. and everything went off without a hitch. We are relieved and excited."
This year's festival is four weeks, a week longer than in previous years. Multiple events, competitive and otherwise, are scheduled through Aug. 2.
The horse festival has developed into one of the region's biggest draws, alongside the National Cherry Festival and Traverse City Film Festival. It's now considered one of the premier events of its kind in the Midwest, and is expected host to about 1,500 horses and their riders from across the country.
"We feel honored to be a part of something that's on everybody's A-list," Rheinheimer said.
The grounds are open to the public on weekends. For now, competitors are getting ready.
"Today has been everybody getting their feet wet and getting their horses out in the show rings," Rheinheimer said.
Recent cool temperatures have been easy on the animals and riders.
"It's a welcome change for a lot of our participants that are coming from the south," Rheinheimer said.
Anyone who has an appreciation for "animals and athletes" should see firsthand what the show has to offer, Rheinheimer said. For a full schedule of events, visit the festival's Web site at www.horseshowsbythebay.com.
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