It’s hard to not be impressed by the showmanship, beauty, and strength of the horses that gracefully move around the rings at Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS).

Perfectly dressed riders atop impeccably groomed horses make for a visual feast week in and week out at the equestrian festival in Acme Township, particularly as they soar over jumps or navigate other obstacles. Thousands of horses, riders, and visitors descend on the 130-acre Flintfields Horse Park from May into October, and the show has developed into one of the premier events of its kind in the nation.

And while much attention is paid to dozens of high-stakes competitions that collectively pay out millions of dollars in prize money, a tremendous amount of work goes on behind the scenes to ensure that the horses are well cared for and ready to compete at the highest level. In this week's Northern Express, sister publication of The Ticker, writer Art Bukowski visits TCHS to chat with those in and around the stables to learn more about the work that goes into making one of the region’s most notable events run smoothly.

The Northern Express is available to read online, or pick up a free copy on newsstands at nearly 700 spots in 14 counties across northern Michigan.