Jordan Coyle of Ireland won the $75,000 Richard M. Feldman Grand Prix presented by Kadley Farm on Saturday at the I Love New York Horse Show, the second week of the 2023 Lake Placid Horse Shows (LPHS) Sponsored by Bainbridge Farms, LLC, and Presented by Sea Shore Stables, LLC. Awarding more than $600,000 in prize money, the horse show concludes Sunday when it will feature the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championship North presented by Eastern Hay & Grain and Purina Animal Nutrition.

LPHS Hosts Competitions For All Riders Of All Levels And Ages

Jordan Coyle and For Gold in Action © KIND Media

Celebrating 54 years of equestrian tradition, LPHS hosts competitions for riders of all levels and ages ranging from young children on polished ponies, to glistening hunters, to Olympic veterans aboard their grand prix mounts. Competition at the North Elba Showgrounds is held in four spectacular show rings – the Richard M. Feldman Grand Prix Field, the E.R. Mische Jumper Ring, the EquiJet Main Hunter Ring, and the Kovacs Williams Hunter Ring.

Coyle rode eighth of the nine who reached the jump-off by riding fault-free over the 16-effort first-round course designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral of Portugal, course designer for this year’s FEI World Cup Finals. He and For Gold, Falkirk Farm LLC’s 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding, turned in a blazing ride over the eight-jump tiebreaker course, finishing clean in 34.568 seconds to take the lead from five-time U.S. Olympian McLain Ward who had just moved into first with a clean ride in 35.276 seconds on First Lady.

The final entry, Jimmy Torano (USA) on Chewbacca HCC, winner of last week’s $75,000 Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix Presented by Alliant Private Client, finished clean in 35.328 seconds to place fourth. Third went to Ward on Cedric 84 with a clean ride in 35.282 seconds, and Torano took fifth on Kochio Z with a clean ride in 36.498. Torano’s two top-five placements, coupled with last week’s win, earned him the Richard & Diana Feldman Perpetual Trophy for Excellence for the best combined finishes in Lake Placid’s two Grand Prix events.

Jordan Coyle and For Gold Awards Presentation © KIND Media

Today I Threw Everything At It

“He’s a new horse to me,” Coyle said. “My wife’s been a little frustrated with me that I haven’t been going fast enough with him. Everything we’ve jumped, he’s been in the top five, but today I threw everything at it and I’d say he’s pretty good at going fast! He’s a phenomenal horse and he’s quite easy to ride, so he makes my job easy. He felt fantastic today. Any day you can beat McLain Ward, you’re doing pretty well!”

Prior to the Grand Prix, 17-year-old Mia Bagnato, who reached the jump-off in the Grand Prix both weeks, rode Essenar Crixus to the win in the Golden Arrow Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, a member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. She claimed the win with two fault-free rides and the fastest jump-off time of 34.252 seconds. Also, Caitlin Boyle took the win on Chapka De Moyon in the Deeridge Farms 1.40m Stake.

Mia Bagnato and Essenar Crixus_LPHS © KIND Media

30th Annual Doggie Costume Contest

Doggie Costume Contest winner, Wonder Woman and Wonder Dog_LPHS © KIND Media

Saturday also featured The Clothes Horse Parade of Champions which honored champions of various divisions throughout the week as well as the horse show’s 30th annual Doggie Costume Contest presented by Man and Beast. The top finishers received special prizes courtesy of the horse show and all contestants received doggie treats courtesy of Man and Beast!

A USEF Heritage Competition, the LPHS shows are part of the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Awards Program and feature classes that are part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, North American League (NAL) and Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) series.

The LPHS also offers superb shopping in the boutique vendor area. Local Adirondack artists, products, clothing and apparel are featured, as well as real estate, photography, a variety of equine-related shops, a booth with official Lake Placid Horse Shows commemorative sportswear and merchandise, and an assortment of dining options with culinary delights. Many special events also take place throughout the horse shows that are entertaining for the whole family.

Children’s Jumper Champion JJ. Torano on Caiou_LPHS © KIND Media

Endless Activities To Do In The Region

There are endless activities to do away from the horse show while in the Lake Placid region, making it the ideal vacation spot for families coming to the horse shows. Outdoor activities include kayaking, tubing, hiking, fishing, boating, cycling, paddling, rock climbing, swimming, golf and so much more. The quaint town of Lake  Placid also has a great variety of shops and a plethora of restaurants.

Located in the historic Olympic town of Lake Placid, New York, the annual Lake Placid Horse Shows (LPHS) offer two weeks of exciting equestrian competition in a setting no other horse show can match. The meticulously landscaped North Elba Showgrounds are surrounded by breathtaking views of the Adirondack Mountains. Action starts at 8:00 a.m. each show day with classes running until approximately 5:00 p.m. Admission is $10.00 per person on Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

 Sunday’s highlights include the USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championship North presented by Eastern Hay & Purina Animal Nutrition; J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Adult Jumper Classic; Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic; Low Junior Jumper Classic; Kathy Scholl Equitation Classic; MMG Low Children’s Adult Hunter Classic; Various Hunter & Jumper Classes.

The Lake Placid Horse Show Association, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization.  For more information go HERE.