This year’s tournament will offer much more than exceptional sport. Attendees can look forward to returning loyal sponsors, the return of the celebrated Babington Benefit Class, special programming surrounding the newly released book Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration, a live musical appearance by a local Traverse City guitarist and additional surprises throughout the week.

Click Here to Visit the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament Website

Click Here to Explore Traverse City Horse Shows

Featured Silver Oak Jumper Tournament Classes

Agero CSI3* Grand Prix

Muny Sunk Stables 1.45m CSI 3* Open Speed Classic

Rood & Riddle 1.25m KBF Benefit Classic 

Stud Tree A/O Classic

GGT-Footing CSI 3* Welcome Stakes Qualifier

The Babington Benefit Class Returns

A highlight of this year’s tournament will be the return of the Babington Benefit Class, supporting the Kevin Babington Foundation and its mission to provide critical financial assistance to show jumping athletes who have suffered spinal cord injuries.

The class represents the strength and compassion of the equestrian community while demonstrating how one competition can create a lasting impact for athletes facing life-changing circumstances.

Through the message “Turn One Class Into a Lasting Impact,” the Kevin Babington Foundation continues to encourage horse shows across the country to dedicate a class—or a portion of its entry fees—to supporting injured riders and advancing safety awareness within the sport. This class will also feature a special guest (digital) appearance from Kevin Babington himself!! Lastly, every year we try to do something special to highlight this event. This year we will be featuring the Official Ride For Kevin Horse Bonnet! Every horse will be given this special bonnet prior to the class in order to illustrate their commitment to Kevin’s Foundation.

Find a horse for this meaningful and fun 1.25m Saturday class, center stage in the International ring – Ride for Kevin and be celebrated for it!

Celebrating the Story Behind Babington

The tournament will also celebrate the release of Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration, the powerful new book chronicling Kevin Babington’s extraordinary life, career, accident and continuing influence on the equestrian world.

Click Here to Purchase Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration

Click here to Download the Kindle Version

Click Here to Listen to the Audiobook

Written by Jeff Papows, PhD, and Michael Cruciotti, with a foreword by Tom Sullivan, the book explores Kevin’s remarkable journey through triumph, adversity, friendship and resilience. Every copy purchased also helps support the Kevin Babington Foundation and its work on behalf of injured show jumping athletes.

Special book-related moments and opportunities will take place during the tournament, giving members of the community an opportunity to experience the story that is inspiring readers throughout the sport.

Live Music and a Celebration of Traverse City

Adding to the atmosphere, the 2026 Silver Oak Jumper Tournament will feature a special musical appearance by a local Traverse City guitarist, Jesse Jefferson.

The performance will bring the energy and character of Northern Michigan into the tournament experience, creating a memorable celebration of sport, community and the destination that has become one of equestrian competition’s most beloved summer settings.

Continuing a Commitment to Giving Back

The Silver Oak Jumper Tournament proudly continues its support of both the Kevin Babington Foundation and Canine Support Teams, two organizations whose missions reflect the values at the heart of the event: compassion, independence, resilience and community.

Canine Support Teams provides highly trained service dogs to veterans and individuals with disabilities at no cost to the recipients. These extraordinary dogs are trained in more than 70 specialized commands and help their partners experience greater independence, confidence and stability.

The Kevin Babington Foundation provides essential support to show jumping athletes who have suffered spinal cord injuries while promoting rider safety, education and awareness throughout the sport.

Together, these charitable partnerships ensure that the impact of the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament reaches far beyond the competition arena.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wellington, FL – Aug. 4, 2026

Something interesting is happening throughout the equestrian community. A bit surprising really. Just weeks after its release, Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration has quickly become more than a new book—it has become a conversation. From riders and trainers to horse owners, industry leaders, and lifelong supporters, readers are not only embracing Kevin Babington’s more complete and in large part untold story elements, but sharing it with friends, families, and fellow equestrians.

We are also pleased to announce that Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration is now available on Kindle!! Click below to download the Kindle version on your Kindle or on your tablet. 

Click Here to Order Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration

Click Here to Download On Kindle

With a large and growing collection of five-star reviews, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing what so many have always known: Kevin’s story reaches far beyond the show ring.

While the reviews speak for themselves, the true impact of the book lies in the conversations it has inspired.

Readers have described Babington as a story of perseverance, friendship, humility, and hope. It is a reminder that while championships may define a career, it is character that defines a legacy.

For the Kevin Babington Foundation, that message carries even greater significance.

Every copy purchased is 100% contributed, aka every penny, to the Foundation’s mission of providing financial assistance and critical resources to show jumping athletes recovering from spinal cord injuries. The book has become more than a fundraiser—it has become another way the equestrian community is rallying around one of its own while helping future athletes facing unimaginable challenges.

Kevin’s journey—from a young rider in Ireland to Olympian, international champion, devastating spinal cord injury, and unwavering advocate for others—continues to inspire people both inside and outside of equestrian sport.

Written by Jeff Papows, PhD and Michael Cruciotti, with a foreword by author and motivational speaker Tom Sullivan, Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration tells a story that transcends sport. It is a testament to resilience, the strength of family and friendship, and the extraordinary power of a community that refuses to let one of its own stand alone.

As more readers discover Kevin’s story, one message continues to emerge:

This is not simply a book about an Olympic rider.

It is a book about overcoming life’s greatest obstacles with courage, grace, and unwavering determination.

The Kevin Babington Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has purchased the book, shared a review, recommended it to a friend, or helped spread Kevin’s story. Together, the equestrian community is ensuring that this message of resilience continues to reach new audiences while directly supporting athletes who need it most.

Order your copy of Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration today and become part of a story that continues to inspire the entire equestrian community.

Click Here to Order Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration

Click Here to Order Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wellington, FL – July 4, 2026

Today, the Kevin Babington Foundation proudly joins millions of Americans in celebrating Independence Day and the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America.

For a quarter of a millennium, our nation has stood as a symbol of courage, opportunity, perseverance, and hope. This historic milestone serves as a reminder of the generations who have worked to build stronger communities, support one another through adversity, and preserve the freedoms that allow us to pursue our dreams.

At the Kevin Babington Foundation, those same values are reflected every day through the remarkable generosity of the equestrian community.

Whether supporting an injured athlete, volunteering at a fundraiser, raising awareness, or simply lending a helping hand, our supporters continually demonstrate that the strength of a community is measured not only by what it achieves, but by how it cares for one another.

As we celebrate this special Fourth of July, we also pause to express our sincere gratitude to the men and women who have served—and continue to serve—our country. Their dedication and sacrifice have helped preserve the freedoms we are privileged to enjoy today.

“Our Foundation has always been built on people coming together in support of something greater than themselves,” said Jeff Papows, Chairman of the Kevin Babington Foundation and former Marine Corp Officer. “The Fourth of July reminds us that unity, service, and compassion are values that continue to define our nation and inspire our community.”

This year also marks an exciting time for the Foundation as we prepare to begin shipping the first copies of Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration beginning July 6. Kevin’s remarkable story is one of resilience, determination, and the unwavering belief that even life’s greatest obstacles can be overcome with courage, family, friends, and community standing beside you.

Click Here to Pre Order Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration 

As families gather to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the Kevin Babington Foundation wishes everyone a safe, joyful, and memorable Independence Day filled with gratitude, reflection, and time spent with those who matter most.

Happy Fourth of July.

Happy 250th Anniversary, America.

And thank you to everyone who continues to support the mission of the Kevin Babington Foundation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wellington, FL – June 30, 2026

The countdown has officially begun.

In just one week, the first copies of Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration will begin shipping to readers anxiously awaiting to understand the previously untold details that make this story even more inspiring.

The Kevin Babington Foundation is excited to announce that pre-orders placed through the Foundation website will begin shipping next week, marking an important milestone in sharing one of the most inspiring stories in equestrian sport. For those who think they understood the complete story, the amazing details of courage, unselfishness, and concern for others, this book is simply a must read.

Click Here to Pre-Order Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration

All proceeds benefit the Kevin Babington Foundation.

Written by Jeff Papows, PhD and Michael Cruciotti, with a foreword by author, entertainer, and motivational speaker Tom Sullivan, Babington: Triumph, Tragedy, Inspiration tells the remarkable story of Irish Olympian Kevin Babington—from his childhood in Ireland to competing on the world’s biggest stages, and ultimately overcoming one of the greatest challenges imaginable.