July 10, 2014–Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ, and Quointreau Un Prince won the $30,000 Adirondack Jumper Classic Thursday at the inaugural Adirondack Horse Show, Presented by Sea Shore Stables.
Chapot was one of five entries from the starting field of 18 to reach the jump-off by riding without penalty over the first-round course designed by Pierre Jolicoeur. Todd Minikus went first in the jump-off and set the mark to beat with a clean round in 38.440 seconds on Quality Girl, the horse on whom he won last week’s $30,000 CMJ Sporthorse Jumper Classic.
Two rides later, Jonathan Corrigan moved into the lead with a clean ride in 37.715 seconds on California 62; but Chapot then dropped him to second with a clean ride in 36.376 seconds which held up for the win. Corrigan placed second and Minikus finished third.
“There really wasn’t any one spot where I won it,” Chapot said. “Todd and Jonathan were both so fast that I felt I had to ride fast over the whole course.”
Earlier in the day, Chapot swept the top two places in the $5,000 Lake Placid Convention and Visitors Bureau 1.40m Speed Stake, winning the class on Zealous and placing second on Bradberry; and Minikus edged Chapot in the $1,500 WPTZ News Channel 5 1.35m Speed Class, riding to the win on ZZ Top while Chapot placed second on Out of Ireland.
The inaugural Adirondack Horse Show runs through Sunday at the North Elba Show Grounds and culminates three consecutive horse shows in Lake Placid. The three Lake Placid Horse Shows draw a wide range of riders, including Olympic veterans and international show jumping stars. The three-week horse show series hosts all levels of competition, from those just beginning their riding careers on ponies all the way up to grand prix competitors, vying for over $750,000 in prize money.
