When asked what George Williams thought of the setting in the Grand Prix Ring on Friday night of the $5,000 Dressage by the Bay FEI Freestyle competition, one word summed it up—atmospheric. That's because a large crowd of dressage enthusiasts lined the amphitheatre-like arena to watch horses and riders perform choreographed routines to music. Williams earned the highest score of the evening (72.25%) on Betsy Juliano's Don Bailey riding in the $1,500 Intermediaire I Freestyle.

"I was pleased with how he listened and stayed with me, considering the electric atmosphere. Our test flowed nicely," remarked Williams, who was attending the Dressage by the Bay Series at Flintfields Horse Park for the first time. "The venue is terrific; the footing is very good—it held up well—and management paid attention to every detail." Williams, who is the current United States Dressage Federation President, will be returning with Havensafe Farm to Traverse City, MI, in September for the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 2 Dressage Championships. "I hope the local community supports us as well as they did on Friday—that was nice."

Additional winners in the Freestyle included Brad Cutshall riding Point Jack in the $2,500 Grand Prix Freestyle (68.75%) and Robyn Weston riding Willow in the $1,000 JR/Young Rider Level (71.25 %).

Over 150 horses and riders entered the two show series resulting in a packed three ring schedule which ran on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A full roster of breed classes took place on Sunday, with the Grand Champion awarded to Kenneth Borden's Contendra.

Results to Dressage by the Bay Series I and II can be found online at www.horseshowsbythebay.com.