From the show ring at Flintfields to finding the perfect property — Molly Buttleman knows this community inside and out.
Every summer, Traverse City becomes one of the most exciting equestrian destinations in the country. From June through September, Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg, Michigan hosts 13 consecutive weeks of FEI and national-level hunter, jumper, and equitation competition — drawing world-class riders, trainers, and horse owners from across the United States and beyond.
This isn't a local circuit. This is the international stage.
The Traverse City Horse Shows are home to some of the most prestigious events in the sport, including:
Season after season, competitors and their families arrive in Northern Michigan and discover something they weren't expecting — a place so beautiful, so livable, and so deeply connected to the equestrian world that the question almost asks itself:
"What would it look like to stay?"
For many equestrian families, the journey to Northern Michigan starts in the ring at Flintfields. But it doesn't have to end when the season does.
The five-county region surrounding Traverse City — Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim, Benzie, and Kalkaska — offers a rare combination of natural beauty, privacy, and the kind of lifestyle that's nearly impossible to find anywhere else in the Midwest. Rolling hills, crystal-clear lakes, wine country, and a tight-knit community that understands exactly what it means to love this land.
For buyers in the equestrian world, this region checks every box:
Expansive acreage properties with room for horses, barns, training facilities, and trailer access — all within reach of Flintfields and the broader Traverse City area.
Flintfields Horse Park sits in Williamsburg, just minutes from downtown Traverse City. Properties across Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Antrim County put you close to the show grounds while giving you the privacy and space that equestrian properties demand.
Not every property in Northern Michigan is set up for horses — but many are, and knowing the difference matters. Molly's deep familiarity with local municipalities means you won't waste time on properties that won't work for your needs.
Many competitors visit Traverse City for the shows and find themselves coming back year after year. Whether you're looking for a seasonal retreat, an investment property that earns during the off-season, or a permanent residence to plant roots, the Northern Michigan market has options at every level.
World-class wineries on Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau. Farm-to-table dining. Sailing on Grand Traverse Bay. Skiing in the winter. And a community that genuinely loves being here. The equestrian lifestyle and the Northern Michigan lifestyle aren't just compatible — they're a perfect match.
Molly Buttleman has called the Grand Traverse and Leelanau County region home for more than 30 years. As a top 1% individual agent in the 5-county region with over $320 million in gross sales, she has spent her career helping buyers and sellers navigate one of Michigan's most sought-after real estate markets.=
But more than her numbers, it's her connection to this community that sets her apart.
Molly understands what equestrian buyers need — and what they're really looking for. She knows which properties have the land, the access, and the zoning to support horses. She knows the neighborhoods closest to Flintfields. And she knows that for buyers coming from out of state, finding the right agent is just as important as finding the right property.
$320M+ in Gross Sales
15+ Years of Real Estate Experience
Top 1% Individual Agent in the 5-County Region
93%+ List-to-Sale Price Ratio
Whether you're searching for an acreage estate near Flintfields, a waterfront retreat on Grand Traverse Bay, or a private property tucked into the hills of Leelanau County — Molly has the local knowledge and the network to find it.
Northern Michigan isn't just where the horse shows are. It's where the lifestyle lives.
The same families who come to Traverse City for the summer shows are discovering that this region offers everything they've been looking for — space, beauty, community, and a pace of life that feels like a reward for all the years of early mornings and long travel days on the show circuit.
A property in Northern Michigan means waking up to views of the bay or the vineyards. It means having room for your horses without sacrificing access to world-class dining, the arts, and a community that feels like home from the very first visit.
It's not just up north. It's where you belong.
Whether you're here for a week or starting to think about something more permanent — let's talk. Molly has helped countless buyers from out of state find their place in Northern Michigan, and she'd love to help you explore what's possible.
No pressure. No obligation. Just a conversation about what this market could offer you.
Molly is known for listening and problem-solving, often putting her own real-life buying, selling, and renovating experience to use for her clients. Her construction industry connections also give her clients an extra sense of trust, especially if they are looking to add value to a property with a remodel.
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