For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Marty Bauman – 508-878-2394, Marty@Classic-Communications.com
Lake Placid, NY – June 4, 2026 – The 2026 Lake Placid Horse Shows, Sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies LLC and Presented by Sea Shore Stables LLC (LPHS), is thrilled to continue its partnership with Essex Classics, a riding apparel brand that delivers traditional style and modern performance. As part of its ongoing presence at Lake Placid, Essex Classics has been named the presenting sponsor of the island in the hunter arena.
The 2026 LPHS will feature two weeks of world-class FEI CSI3* competition when “The Best Two Weeks of a Horseman’s Summer” return to the North Elba Showgrounds, June 23-July 5.
Essex Classics was founded in 1985, born from an equestrian’s passion for riding and desire to revolutionize equestrian show shirts. The idea for this new standard of riding apparel was conceived at the Lake Placid Horse Shows when Essex founder Cathy Sacher saw a rider drop her choker in a mud puddle. Thus, the hidden snap collar – and a decades-long revolution in equestrian apparel design – was born.
Today, Essex is proud to be the leading name in performance equestrian shirts. For more than 40 years, their apparel has been trusted by thousands of riders from juniors to top professionals who expect more – more comfort, more innovation and more polish. In addition to their best-selling show shirts, Essex offers a growing collection of schooling shirts, riding sweaters and everyday equestrian apparel. Designed with the same thoughtful details, flattering fits and technical fabrics that riders love, these pieces are built for training days, barn life and everything in between. More information can be found at EssexClassics.com.
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 features classes running simultaneously in four spectacular show rings with state-of-the-art all-weather footing.
Highlights for the Lake Placid Horse Show (June 23-28) include Thursday’s $5,000 CSI3* Two-Phase presented by Stonehenge Stables, Friday’s $45,000 CSI3* Welcome Stake presented by Wölffer Estate Vineyard and $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Eastern Hay, Saturday’s $32,000 CSI3* Speed Derby presented by Purina Animal Nutrition and $25,000 Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) 1.45m Jumper Classic, and Sunday’s Adirondack Lead Line presented by McLain Ward, Inc. and Saratoga Horseworks Parade of Champions before culminating in the week’s feature event, the $100,000 CSI3* Grand Prix of Lake Placid.
The I Love New York Horse Show (June 30-July 5) features Wednesday’s $5,000 CSI3* Two-Phase presented by North Star Equine Sports Medicine, Thursday’s $45,000 CSI3* Welcome Stake presented by Brianne Goutal LLC, Friday’s $32,000 CSI3* Speed Derby presented by Purina Animal Nutrition and $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Perfect Products, and Saturday’s The Clothes Horse Parade of Champions leading up to the main event, the $100,000 CSI3* Richard M. Feldman Grand Prix presented by Friends of the Lake Placid Horse Shows. More hunter and jumper classics also take place on Sunday, including the $25,000 Knockers Field 1.45m Jumper Classic presented by the Postage Stamp Farm Foundation.
Additionally, both weeks feature member events for the Green Hunter Incentive program, NAL, Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, WCHR Awards program and WIHS Jumper Classic Series.
Outside the show ring
Renovations have continued at the North Elba Showgrounds following the reconstruction of the show rings last year. In 2026, Lake Placid visitors can enjoy a new VIP experience, new hospitality room and new kitchen service onsite. There will also be a new grazing area for everyone’s hard-working horses.
Additionally, there are endless activities to enjoy 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. 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!
LPHSA, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that runs the Lake Placid Horse Shows, 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 Shows, 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.
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!
Many sponsors and supporters have joined with the Lake Placid Horse Shows (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, 1800 Tequila/Empire Merchants North, Alorian Saddlery, AS Stables, Brianne Goutal LLC, Camp Treetops, Charles Ancona, The Dancing Bears, Dr. Tracie Glicker, Dalman Horse Jumps, Eastern Hay, Equitrace, Essex Classics, FarmVet, Friends of Lake Placid, Grandview Lake Placid, Great American Insurance Group, Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Placid, High Peaks Resort, Higher Ground Farm, Highpoint Stables, Hollow Brook Wealth Management, Horseflight, JTWG, Inc., Kanu Restaurant, KindMedia, Knockers Field/Postage Stamp Farm Foundation, Lake Placid Club, Lake Placid Flower & Gift, LEAF, Lukens Horse Transportation, Lutz/Manfredi, Man and Beast, McLain Ward, Inc., Merrill L. Thomas, Inc., Mirror Lake Inn/The Cottage Café, Mobile Tack, Mrs. Pastures Cookies, NGP Future’s Program, North Country School, North Star Equine Sports Medicine, Northland, Peak 47, Perfect Products, Pinsnickety, Purina Animal Nutrition, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), Rood & Riddle, Saratoga Horseworks, Showtime Jumps, Soltek, Stonehenge Stables, The Caristo Family, The Clothes Horse, The Deck, The Hooker Family, The View, Trelawny Farm, W&B Golf Carts, Whipstick Farm, Whiteface Club and Resort, Whiteface Lodge, Wölffer Estate Vineyard, and Wolfstone Stables.
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