Lake Placid, NY – June 29, 2025 – Three-time Olympic veteran Alberto Michan of Israel rode to the win in the $100,000 FEI 3* Grand Prix of Lake Placid to culminate the first week of competition at the 2025 Lake Placid Horse Shows (LPHS), Sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies, LLC, and Presented by Sea Shore Stables, LLC. After an off day on Monday, the horse shows, sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), resume at the newly renovated North Elba Showgrounds on Tuesday, July 1, and run through Sunday, July 6.

Michan was one of eight entries from the starting field of 29 representing six countries to reach the jump-off by riding without penalty over the 16-effort first-round course designed by Michel Vaillancourt. First to return for the eight-effort tiebreaker was Katie Dinan (USA), the top U.S. finisher at this year’s FEI World Cup Finals in Basel, Switzerland. She rode her World Cup mount, Grant Road Partners LLC’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Out Of The Blue SCF, to another clean round, finishing in 40.48 seconds to set the mark to beat. 

Three rides later, Sam Walker (CAN) moved into the lead with a clean ride in 39.69 seconds aboard Anne Holman’s 9-year-old Hanoverian gelding Carruso PJ. Two rides later, Michan returned on Joint De Canabis Van De Doornhoeve, and he rode his 11-year-old, Dutch-bred gelding to a clean ride in 38.19 seconds which proved to be good enough for the win. Walker held on for second, with Dinan finishing third.

Dinan’s fellow Americans Alison Robitaille on Alison Firestone LLC’s Claire De Lune 33 and Lauren Fischer on her Concouleur Z had the only other clean rounds in the jump-off, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.

“I was lucky to go near the end, and I was counting strides,” Michan said. “I saw that almost everyone was doing 10 or 11 strides to Fence #2, so I tried to do nine. Then the line to the last one was my big shot because I have a really big horse with a big stride. The nine for most of them was a little forward, but I was able to catch the inside way to that oxer, and I really gave it a go and got there in eight. Those two spots are where I was able to get the win.

“I think the changes they’ve made here with the new rings and new grounds are fantastic,” he added. “I think it’s really important for an iconic horse show like this, which has such a history and such a great tradition, that it be back where it has to be, at the top of every rider’s mind to come here and show.”

Prior to the Grand Prix, the Grand Prix Ring featured three classes that are part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. Baylee McKeever rode McLain Ward’s Louboutin Z to the win in the $10,000 Mirror Lake Inn/The Cottage Café 1.35m SJHOF Amateur Jumper Classic. McKeever turned in two clean rounds and the fastest jump-off time of 31.665 seconds to claim the win, which also earned her the division championship.

JJ Torano and Jet Show Stable’s Oopsala claimed the win in the$10,000 Mirror Lake Inn/The Cottage Café 1.35m SJHOF Junior Jumper Classic; then Torano followed that with a win on Kadley Farm and North Run’s Lyon 50 in the $15,000 FarmVet 1.45m SJHOF Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic. In the 1.35m class, he had two clean rounds and a jump-off time of 31.876 seconds for top honors, and in the 1.45m class, he again had two clean rounds, with his jump-off time of 36.216 seconds securing him another victory. The two wins earned him the championship in both divisions.

L: JJ Torano and Lyon 50. R: Torano and Oopsala. © KindMedia

Joining these horse-and-rider combinations in Sunday’s winner’s circle were Shane Radimer with Radequestrian LLC’s Dominant Z in the $5,000 1.15m Junior Jumper Classic presented by The Hooker Family and Reilly Canard with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s Carry On in the NAL Adult Amateur Hunter Classic presented by Essex Classics.

Other highlights included the Adirondack Lead Line Class and Saratoga Horseworks Parade of Champions, which honored division champions from the week.

Saratoga Horseworks Parade of Champions © KindMedia

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.

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 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! Admission to the horse shows is free on Tuesdays, $8.00 per person per day Wednesday through Friday, and $12.00 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!

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, STX, 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.