Lake Placid and I Love New York Horse Shows Were "Horse Show Heaven in 2007"
RELEASE: July 12, 2007
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Phelps Media Group
The Lake Placid and I Love New York Horse Shows proved to be “Horse Show Heaven in 2007.” With the number of entries held to about 200 horses below the record numbers of recent years, exhibitors had all the benefits of Lake Placid’s traditional world-class horse shows plus ample time to enjoy the natural wonders of the Adirondack Mountains and the warm hospitality of the Village of Lake Placid.
The Lake Placid Horse Shows featured nearly a half-million dollars in prize money, one of the world’s finest horse show facilities highlighted by the 300’ by 300’ natural terrain Richard M. Feldman Grand Prix Field, outstanding management and special amenities that enhance everyone’s experience at the horse show grounds. With fewer horses this year, showing was finished by 5:00 p.m. or earlier each day, which allowed exhibitors more time to enjoy the lakes and mountains and Lake Placid’s outstanding restaurants and shops.
“If you thought Lake Placid was horse show heaven in 2007, I can assure you that it will be just as great in 2008!” said horse show chairman Richard M. Feldman. “We sent our exhibitors home happy this year, and we are committed to having the same number of horses we had this year again next year.”
One of the reasons that the Lake Placid Horse Shows are so popular with exhibitors is that in addition to the first-class horse show facility, management and prize money, there are just so many fun things to do in Lake Placid. As one of the world’s premier resort destinations, Lake Placid offers an ideal setting for family vacations.
The natural wonders of the Adirondacks offer great hiking, swimming and boating, and the charming resort town has unrivaled hotels and restaurants. But the horse shows also offer many other fun things to do, most of which have become traditions in their own right.
The Lake Placid Horse Shows’ annual Animal Planet Kids’ Day again combined kids, horses and tons of fun, including activities such as a stable tour, farrier visit, a raffle, giveaways and an autograph session with grand prix riders Jeff Welles, Brianne Goutal and Hillary Dobbs.
The Lake Placid Horse Show Association also sponsored its 6th annual Bowling Party for children, and Mark Walter and Beval Saddlery sponsored the 19th annual golf tournament for adult exhibitors. Another highlight was Lake Placid’s famous Fourth of July festivities, including spectacular fireworks and the traditional parade down Main Street.
The 38th annual Lake Placid Horse Show saw an impressive win by Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, FL, on Pavarotti in the $75,000 Budweiser Grand Prix of Lake Placid presented by RV Sales of Broward for the Whitney Perpetual Challenge Trophy. Minikus was one of 10 entries from the starting field of 33 at the North Elba Showgrounds to qualify for a tiebreaking jump-off by riding without penalty over the 15-jump first-round course designed by Steve Stephens, course designer for next year’s Beijing Olympic Games.
Minikus, the 2001 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Horseman of the Year and winner of Lake Placid’s Hérmes Grand Prix in 2004, was sixth to try the eight-jump tiebreaker course. He finished without fault in 40.99 seconds to take over the lead from 2004 Athens Olympic Team Gold medalist McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, who had finished the jump-off fault-free in 42.01 seconds on Larioso.
The final four entries failed to catch the marks of either Minikus or Ward, allowing them to hold on to the top two spots. Third place went to 10-time American Grand Prix Association (AGA) Rider of the Year Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, who rode her 2000 Sydney Olympic mount Hidden Creek’s Perin to a clean jump-off ride in 42.17 seconds. At age 18, Hidden Creek’s Perin was the oldest horse in the competition.
“I felt that McLain’s time was going to be tough to beat and that the only way I could catch him would be by ducking insi