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Laura Chapot Wins First Class in New Jumper Ring at 2025 Lake Placid Horse Shows

by | Jun 25, 2025 | LPHS

For Immediate Release
Contact: Marty Bauman, Marty@classic-communications.com

Lake Placid, NY – June 25, 2025 – Laura Chapot won the $5,000 Empire Merchants North/1800 Tequila 1.40m Jumper Class,the first jumper class in the new rings at the 2025 Lake Placid Horse Shows (LPHS), Sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies, LLC, and Presented by Sea Shore Stables, LLC. Chapot, who won the last class in the old Grand Prix Field, rode C&C Willow to two clear rounds to top a 22-horse field at the newly renovated North Elba Showgrounds, kicking off two weeks of world-class competition, sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), June 24-July 6.

 

Chapot was one of six entries to turn in two clear rounds over the course designed by Michel Vaillancourt. Her jump-off time of 33.470 seconds was more than three seconds faster than that of second-place finisher Heather Caristo-Williams, who posted a 36.500-second time on Mazzy Star. Third place went to Vasco Flores of Puerto Rico, who finished in 36.514 seconds on Pas Normal V.

 

“It’s very exciting to win the first class of the week,” Chapot said. “It’s great to start off well, and we hope it will continue that way, although that is sometimes easier said than done. They did a great job with the new grounds. It’s riding really well and everything looks beautiful. We love being back in Lake Placid!”

 

Laura Chapot and C&C Willow. Four Aces with David Wilbur. Arina with Amanda Steege © KindMedia. 

In the 3’6” Performance Hunter Division, Four Aces, owned by Marita Zuraitis and shown by David Wilbur, emerged as Champion, and in the 3’3” Performance Hunter Division, the Champion was Arina, owned by Frances Moppett and shown by Amanda Steege.

Located in the historic Olympic town of Lake Placid, NY, the annual LPHS offer two weeks of exciting equestrian competition in a setting no other horse show can match, surrounded by breathtaking views of the Adirondack Mountains and the chance to enjoy countless activities that help make the Lake Placid Horse Shows, “The Best Two Weeks of a Horseman’s Summer!” 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. Each show day, LPHS action starts at 8:00 a.m., with classes running simultaneously in four spectacular, new show rings.

 

Competition continues throughout the week with many familiar features and a new FEI CSI3* division, which begins on Thursday with the $5,000 3* Two-Phase. Other FEI highlights during the Lake Placid Horse Show (June 24-29) include Friday’s $45,000 3* Jump-off, Saturday’s $32,000 3* Speed Class presented by Purina Animal Nutrition, and Sunday’s $100,000 Grand Prix of Lake Placid CSI3*. 

FEI highlights for the I Love New York Horse Show (July 1-6) include Wednesday’s $5,000 3* Two-Phase, Thursday’s $45,000 Wölffer Estate 3* Welcome Stake, Friday’s $32,000 3* Speed Class presented by Purina Animal Nutrition, and Saturday’s $100,000 Richard Feldman Memorial Grand Prix CSI3*.

 

Exhibitors in every division are competing on newly renovated showgrounds, which include reconstructed show rings with state-of-the-art all-weather footing installed by Travis Gould and his JTWG, Inc. team, who are working closely with horse show manager Allen Rheinheimer. Improvements have also been made to the stabling and schooling areas, with more to come as part of a multi-year plan. Highlights include a resurfaced all-weather grand prix ring, an expanded Jumper 2 Ring, two new hunter rings and a dedicated FEI exercise ring.

Fun Activities at the Horse Show

With a variety of things to do for the entire family both on and off the showgrounds, it’s no wonder that Lake Placid is home to one of exhibitors’ favorite shows in the U.S. There is also a lot for spectators to enjoy with superb shopping in the boutique vendor area featuring local Adirondack artists, products, clothing and apparel, as well as real estate, photography, a variety of equine-related shops, official Lake Placid Horse Shows commemorative sportswear and merchandise, and an assortment of dining options. The horse shows also host their Best Dressed Barns competition sponsored by KindMedia.

 

The highly popular Doggie Costume Contest, sponsored by Man and Beast, is returning for its 32nd year on Saturday, July 5, at 12:00 noon! All leashed dogs are invited to participate free of charge, and contest participants receive free admission to the horse show that day! The adorable Adirondack Lead Line Class is another horse show favorite and enables the youngest riders to compete! The class will be held on Sunday, June 29, at 12:30 p.m. The class is open to children who have not yet reached their 7th birthday. Be sure to come and enjoy!

Admission to the horse shows is free on Tuesdays, $6.00 per person per day Wednesday through Friday, and $10.00 per person per day on Saturday and Sunday.

 

Fun Activities in Lake Placid

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 wide variety of shops and a plethora of restaurants, and the Fourth of July celebrations are famous in Lake Placid with a parade down Main Street followed by electrifying fireworks over Mirror Lake. Lake Placid is a horse show that the whole family can enjoy!

Upcoming events during the first week’s Lake Placid Horse Show include:

 

Thursday, June 26 – $5,000 FEI 3* Two-Phase; 1.40m Speed Challenge; 1.30m Jumper Class; Young Jumpers 6 & 7 Yr. Olds; Capri Pants 1.20m Amateur Jumper Class; NHSAA/ASPCA Maclay; Dover USEF Hunter Seat Medal; $1,000 Green Hunter Incentive 3’-3’3”; Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3” Medal; NEHC Junior Hunter Seat; Various Hunter & Jumper Classes

 

Friday, June 27 – $45,000 FEI 3* Jump-off; $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Horseflight; $5,000 1.25m Jumper Classic; USEF Adult Equitation; THIS Children’s Medal; Various Hunter & Jumper Classes

Saturday, June 28 – $32,000 FEI 3* Speed Class presented by Purina Animal Nutrition; $25,000 Adirondack 1.45m Jumper Classic; $5,000 Great American Insurance Group 1.35m Jumper Stake; $5,000 Lukens Horse Transportation 1.20m Amateur Jumper Classic; $5,000 1.20m Junior Jumper Classic; NAL Children’s Hunter Classic; Marshall & Sterling USEF Pony Equitation – Small, Medium and Large; Various Hunter & Jumper Classes

 

Sunday, June 29 – $10,000 Mirror Lake Inn/The Cottage Café 1.35m SJHOF Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic; $15,000 FarmVet 1.45m SJHOF Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic; $5,000 1.15m Junior Jumper Classic presented by The Hooker Family; NAL/WIHS Amateur Jumper Classic; NAL Adult Amateur Hunter Classic presented by Essex Classics; Adirondack Lead Line Class (12:30 PM); Saratoga Horseworks Parade of Champions (12:40 PM); $100,000 FEI 3* Grand Prix of Lake Placid (1:00 PM); Various Hunter, Jumper, & Equitation Classes

Many sponsors and supporters have joined with LPHS to undertake this significant effort to upgrade the showgrounds and invest in the future of the LPHS. This joint effort of dedicated equestrians, the Town of North Elba, and local Lake Placid supporters will continue to foster equestrian excellence, family fun and community bonds in the heart of the picturesque Adirondacks. LPHS would like to thank our partners who have joined us in this effort, including The Bainbridge Companies LLC, Sea Shore Stables LLC, Cambria Hotel Lake Placid, Charles Ancona, Classic Communications, ClipMyHorse, Community Bank NA, Crowne Plaza Lake Placid, Eastern Hay, Empire Merchants North/1800 Tequila, Essex Classics, FarmVet, Inc., Great American Insurance Group, Hampton Inn, Hollow Brook Wealth Management, Horseflight, JTWG, Inc., K&L Ribbon Wreaths, KindMedia, Lake Placid Flower & Gift Co., Lukens Horse Transportation, Inc., Marina Samad, Mirror Lake Inn/The Cottage Café, Mrs. Pastures Cookies, Perfect Products, Purina Animal Nutrition, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital Saratoga, Saratoga Horseworks, Show Jumps LLC, STYX, The Clothes Horse, The Hooker Family, W&B Golf Carts, Wölffer Estate Vineyard.

LPHSA, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that runs the Lake Placid Horse Show, a hallmark of the summer equestrian season which presents two weeks of world-class competition at the historic North Elba Showgrounds in Lake Placid, New York. Attracting top riders and horses from across the globe, the shows feature prestigious hunter, jumper, and equitation classes, including FEI-rated events. Steeped in tradition and set against the stunning backdrop of the Adirondack Mountains, the Lake Placid Horse Show, a USEF Heritage competition, offers a unique blend of high-level equestrian sport and family-friendly entertainment, contributing significantly to the region’s economy and community spirit. All donations are tax-deductible (TIN: 82-5074078). Further information for exhibitors, spectators, sponsors, and donors is available at www.lakeplacidhorseshows.org or by calling 518-523-9625.