Lake Placid, New York, USA – July 07, 2024 – Laura Chapot (USA) rode Chandon Blue to victory in the $75,000 Richard M. Feldman Grand Prix to conclude the 55th annual Lake Placid Horse Shows (LPHS), Sponsored by Bainbridge Farms, and Presented by Sea Shore Stables. With the announcement that Lake Placid’s Grand Prix Ring will be converted to an all-weather surface for next year, Chapot’s win, her eighth Grand Prix win in Lake Placid, seemed fitting for the final class on the grass.

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.

When Chapot, last to try the 16-effort, first-round course designed by Nick Granat (CAN), entered the ring, the only clean round had been turned by 18-year-old Mia Bagnato (USA). Chapot forced the jump-off by going clean on her 19-year-old Oldenburg. Bagnato then rode Ballyoskill Big Bucks to a clean ride over the eight-effort tiebreaker course, finishing in 36.581 seconds. Chapot followed on Chandon Blue and blazed to a clean ride in 34.286 seconds to earn the emotional win.

“With only one clean, being the last one to go is not really the best position to be in because you put a little extra pressure on yourself to go clean,” Chapot said. “I just tried to focus and put in the best round I could.

“My horse is a little tired after two weeks up here, but he tried his heart out. He really wanted to win this class. This is the last time we’re out here on the grass which makes me really sad. He loves the grass field, we love the grass field and to win this means a little extra because of that.”

A USEF Heritage Competition, the LPHS shows feature USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Northeast events, Green Hunter Incentive classes, hunter and jumper classics, and divisions for Young Jumpers, 0.65m Itty-Bitty Jumpers and 0.85m Junior/Amateur Jumpers. Additionally, LPHS offers classes that are part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series and North American League (NAL).

Final Results – $75,000 Feldman Grand Prix II

1) Laura Chapot (USA) & Chandon Blue – 0 / 0 – 34.286

2) Mia Bagnato (USA) & Ballyoskill Big Bucks – 0 / 0 – 36.581

3)  Corinne Sweeney (USA) &  Calgary 5 – 3 / 77.972

Source: Press Release by Marty Bauman / Classic Communications for Lake Placid Horse Shows

Photos: © Kind Media

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