Amidst an expanding equestrian festival, more horse barns and new equine-themed retail shops, there's more evidence than ever that the Traverse City area is embracing the horsey life.

“I’d certainly like to think Traverse City is becoming more equestrian-minded,” says Alex Rheinheimer, owner and manager of Horse Shows by the Bay (HSBB), the equestrian festival now in its 11th season that draws riders from all over the country and Europe with an estimated local economic impact north of $12 million. “There are other areas that are more horsey … Traverse City is not that far, but I think just by the show being here the word ‘equestrian’ is in more peoples’ vocabularies.”

Jess Collins, who owns Red Hare Tack & Togs equestrian boutique in downtown Traverse City, has heard the community referred to as “the Wellington of the North” – in reference to the equestrian enclave in Wellington, Fla. – because of “what we offer here” in terms of a vacation destination.

Collins, a rider herself, first opened her boutique in 2007 at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, and moved it to Front Street in 2009.

She says equestrian fashion is “very iconic” and also appeals to many people who have nothing to do with horses whatsoever, and she is seeing more of those shoppers all the time. She is excited to expand her high-end couture lines of clothing, tack and accessories in the store this summer.

Local horsewomen Marley Martin and Charlene Kolodziej have taken over the former Down Outlet on M-72 and will soon open Grand Traverse Saddlery in the 3,500 square-foot space.

Martin says both she and her business partner grew up riding in Traverse City and found themselves frequently having to travel to Grand Rapids for riding gear and other supplies. The time has come, she says, to serve the growing horse community with a one-stop shop.

“We really wanted a place that offers something for everybody,” says Martin of the all-encompassing equine tack store – from basic horse care supplies to equipment and accessories for riding to clothing for competitions. The store will host a grand opening celebration on Sat., May 31, 2-6 p.m.

Melissa Hirt, an equestrian trainer and competitor, moved to Leelanau County in 1995 and started Northern Pines Farm in Maple City in 2000. The training facility is responsible for producing riders who earn scholarships to equestrian programs and also offers horse boarding and sales.

“I have seen additional interest in people coming to the area shopping for horses,” she says.

There are also people who have moved horses from southern Michigan to be trained here and, in a few cases, purchasing a farm and relocating here.

Local real estate broker Bob Murray, who has also been involved in the horse world for many years, has watched as participants in HSBB have made more permanent investments here by purchasing cottages or homes and growing interest in buying property in the Acme area.

The next phase, he says, will be people buying vacant land to build horse farms. “This area is just at the cusp of that kind of activity,” he adds. “Every year new people come to the festival and want to have a farm here or home here.”

Pictured: Brian Shook and his Grand Prix horse, Courage 68. He and his family live and operate a horse farm in Holly, Mich., but have made their second home in Traverse City. Photo courtesy of Randi Muster/Mustphoto.