Ward was one of only three entries from the field of 19 in the Speed Challenge to finish the 14-jump, one-round course at the North Elba Showgrounds without penalty. His time of 67.657 seconds on Peter was the day’s fastest, giving him the win. Second place went to Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ who finished in 69.554 seconds on Sprite and Candice King of Wellington, FL was third with a time of 77.569 seconds on Casadora.

In the Nicola’s Restaurants Open Jump-off, Engle claimed the top two positions on Julius and Nobility respectively. The Sydney Olympic veteran had the fastest jump-off time of 29.053 seconds on Julius and the second fastest time of 30.554 seconds on Nobility. Four-time Olympian Anne Kursinski of Flemington, NJ finished third with a jump-off time of 31.074 seconds on Sincere.

The I Love New York Horse Show continues Saturday with the week’s main event, the $50,000 Hermès I Love New York Grand Prix. Following Saturday’s Grand Prix, the horse show will award the Richard and Diana Feldman Perpetual Challenge Trophy for Excellence, presented to the rider who competed in both the $50,000 Budweiser Grand Prix of Lake Placid and the $50,000 Hermes I Love New York Grand Prix and won the most combined prize money.

Saturday’s action also includes two Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic series events for junior riders and amateur/owner riders—the Salamander Farm High Junior Jumper Classic and the Golden Arrow Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Points earned in these two Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series events will help determine which junior and amateur/owner riders will qualify to compete in the 2003 National Horse Show in Wellington, FL.

Those attending the horse show on Saturday are invited to dress up their dogs and parade them in the 11th annual Doggie Costume Contest that begins at 12:00 noon. The Doggie Costume Contest is sponsored by The Brown Dog Cafe & Wine Bar of Lake Placid and by Lonesome Landing of Saranac Lake. All people with leashed dogs in costume are admitted to the horse show free of charge on Doggie Costume Day. Arrive at 11:30 a.m. for sign up and registration by the ring for the fun and treats that are presented to all entrants.

The closing day of this year’s horse show, Sunday, will feature the Price Chopper Adult Amateur Jumper Classic and WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic. Both of these Classics are member events of the WIHS Championship series and count as bonus points towards the Championships held at the Washington International Horse Show. Sunday also features the Kathy Scholl Equitation Championship, the $1,000 Pony Hunter Classic, and numerous hunter and equitation divisions.

Sponsors for the 2003 Lake Placid and I Love New York Horse Shows include A&M Beverages, Inc., Adirondack Life, American Grandprix Association, Anonymous, Ariat International, Inc., Bayer Legend, Brandy Parfums, Inc., Budweiser/Anheuser Busch, Inc., C.M. Hadfield’s Saddlery, Inc., David R. Fowler Custom Tack Trunks, Der Dau Custom Made Boots & Shoes, Enterprise rent-a-car, Fox Run Ltd., Golden Arrow Hotel, Hermès, Hilton Lake Placid Resort, Jane Forbes Clark, Juliam Farm, Kiehl’s Since 1851, Lake Placid Resort, Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors’ Bureau, Lisa A. H. Cudahy, Lonesome Landing, M&M Mars, Mirror Lake Inn/The Cottage, McDonald’s of Lake Placid, Moss Communications, Nicola’s Family Restaurants, Barbara Nugent and Michael Bitterman, On a Fence Designs and Rentals, ORDA-Whiteface Mountain, The Country Saddler, The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc., Pin Oak Farm, Price Chopper, Red Kap Sales, Inc./CITGO, Salamander Farm, Sand Castle Farm/The Dammerman Family, Shamrock Ventures LLC, Sidelines, The Brown Dog Café & Wine Bar, The Hooker Family, The Levy Family, The Phelps School, The Phillips Family, Town of North Elba Park District, Trelawny Farm, Turtle Lane Farm, Unusual Silver, U.S. Olympic Spirit Stores, Wild Horse Winery and WPTZ News Channel 5.

Admission to the I Love New York Horse Show on Saturday and Sunday is $5.00 for adults with children under the age of 12 admitted free. Tickets are available at the gate. For more information, please call the Lake Placid Horse Show Association at (518) 523-9625 or visit www.lakeplacidhorseshow.com

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