[img:horseshow12.jpg]Lake Placid, N.Y. – March 29, 2013 - The 44th annual Lake Placid Horse Shows will be returning to the quaint village of Lake Placid, NY, June 25-July 7, 2013 with non-stop equestrian action!
Located in the beautiful Adirondack Mountain region, the nationally regarded two-week horse show series presented by Sea Shore Stables, LLC will host all levels of competition ranging from young children on ponies to grand prix competitors and Olympic medalists, all competing for over $535,000 in prizes. "We work all year long to put together our world-class horse show with a full schedule of activities for exhibitors, spectators, vendors and sponsors," said Richard M. Feldman, Chairman of the Lake Placid Horse Show Association. "We pride ourselves on making improvements each year to continue to attract the absolute best to Lake Placid. We invite everyone to come see why our horse show has developed a worldwide reputation for excellence and family fun!"
The Lake Placid and I Love New York Horse Shows attract the nation's top hunter-jumper horses and riders to the Adirondacks. Both weeks of showing are USEF 'AA' rated for hunters and 6* rated for Jumpers. The horse show begins at 8:00 am each day, with competition running in four rings simultaneously.
Highlighting the competition are the $75,000 Equine Insurance Services/Great American Grand Prix of Lake Placid and the $100,000 Woodlea Farms Grand Prix, both presented by Sea Shore Stables, LLC. These are the pinnacle of show jumping competition and are guaranteed to be action packed events with even bigger prize money this year as the horse shows are offering a $100,000 Grand Prix for the first time ever!
Another highlighted competition is the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Eastern Hay & Grain and Purina Animal Nutrition. This event, held in the Richard M. Feldman Grand Prix Field on Sunday, July 7, features jumps that resemble natural obstacles seen in the hunt field with a variety of challenges including stone walls, hedges, logs, banks and ditches.
This year the Lake Placid Horse Shows Association is excited to announce the renaming of the Hunter Annex, which is now called the Kovacs Williams Hunter Ring. It was renamed in honor of two of the Lake Placid Horse Shows' most highly regarded trainers, Joanne Kovacs and John Williams, through the generosity of two longtime riders at the show, Dennis Sisco and Alexine Lesko. Although the ring is primarily used for hunter competition, it will also be used for jumper classes on the horse show's final day when the Hunter Derby is held in the Grand Prix Field.
Returning again is the horse show's vendor area which for decades has featured some of the best shopping in the Adirondacks. The vendor area features a variety of equine related shops, local Adirondack products, artists, clothing and apparel, real estate, photography, and scrumptious food in addition to the official Lake Placid Horse Shows merchandise booth!
Also returning are perennial show favorites such as the annual Doggie Costume Contest, sponsored by Animal Planet, The Brown Dog Deli & Wine Bar, and A Placid Life/Jake Placid Doghouse. The doggie costume contest features a line-up of dogs dressed up in hilarious costumes and it is a favorite event of both exhibitors and spectators, all of whom are invited to participate. Contestants have the opportunity to strut their stuff in a special ring set up near the horse show's Richard M. Feldman Grand Prix Field. Awards, including the Lulu Perpetual Trophy for the funniest costume, are presented to the day's "top dogs." Every canine contestant goes home with a bag of treats and every spectator goes home having had a wonderful time.
Another favorite is the horse show's Equestrian Window Decorating Contest, where local Lake Placid businesses compete to see who can decorate their shop window in the best equestrian theme. A stroll down Main Street gives everyone a real horse show feel!
"A large part of what makes our horse shows unique are the Village and the people of Lake Placid," said Feldman. "The Window Decorating Contest has become one of our most treasured annual events because of the enthusiasm that many of our local businesses put into it each year. Their themed displays connect visitors and residents to the Lake Placid Horse Shows and help get the whole town into the horse show spirit."
Beyond the show grounds, there is so much to do among the natural beauty of the Adirondacks. Great hiking, swimming and boating are available for those who want to experience summer in the mountains. Some highlights include the West Branch of the Ausable River, famous for its fly-fishing, while the Gneiss Cliffs have long been popular with rock climbers. The Adirondack Mountains boast over 3,000 lakes, 6,000 miles of rivers and the Adirondack High Peaks, which are a series of 46 mountain peaks each higher than 4,000 feet. Those looking for a serious outdoor challenge can try to climb them all!
Admission to the Lake Placid and I Love New York Horse Shows is just $2.00 on weekdays and $5.00 on weekends. Children under the age of 12 are admitted free. Tickets are available at the gate. The horse shows are located at the North Elba Show Grounds, 5514 Cascade Road (Route 73) in Lake Placid, directly across from the ski jumps.
Further information on the Lake Placid Horse Shows presented by Sea Shore Stables, LLC is available by calling the Lake Placid Horse Show Association at 518-523-9625 or on line at www.lakeplacidhorseshow.com.