Lake Placid, NY — What do you get when you combine horses, kids, learning and fun? You get the 19th annual Horse Club Junior Day, sponsored by Animal Planet, at the Intercat, Inc. Lake Placid Horse Shows. This special event invites local Pony Clubbers and 4-H members to participate in a fun-filled day full of “horsing around” at the horse shows, which return to the heart of the Adirondack Mountains at the North Elba Showgrounds, June 28–July 10.

The Lake Placid Horse Shows is one of the most highly-regarded stops on the nation’s hunter-jumper horse show circuit, attracting riders of all ages from young children to Olympic veterans, as well as offering wholesome entertainment for the entire family.

“The goal of Horse Club Junior Day is to provide an educational experience for the kids, while making it fun and memorable at the same time,” said Richard M. Feldman, Chairman of the Lake Placid Horse Show Association. “It is important to the Lake Placid Horse Shows that we help inspire future generations of equestrian athletes and professionals. You never know, maybe one day we'll see these kids competing in our Grand Prix, or even working as the show veterinarian, farrier or course designer!"

Members of 4-H groups, pony clubs and riding clubs are invited to attend the 19th Annual Horse Club Junior Day, which is scheduled for Friday, July 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm. The day includes activities such as a stable tour, jumper course walk, farrier visit, and question-and-answer period. There will also be a raffle, giveaways, and an autograph session with a top Grand Prix rider. The day continues a long standing tradition of the Lake Placid Horse Shows giving back to the local community.

The cost to attend the event is $5.00 per participant; lunch is included. There is no entry fee for chaperones; however, there will be a fee of $4.00 per chaperone if they choose to eat with the participants. Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis. Participants must belong to a local 4-H group, pony club or riding club. Horse Club Junior Day supporters include Animal Planet, Crossroads Caterers, Woodlea Farms, Pizza Hut of Saranac Lake, and Marty Bauman of Classic Communications.

Horse Club Junior Day, sponsored by Animal Planet, is limited to a maximum of 100 participants. Entry forms may be obtained by contacting the horse show office at (518) 523-9625. For those who are not members of a 4-H group or pony club, taking a guided walking tour of the horse show is a great alternative and it gives access to many exciting behind-the-scenes activities. Guided walking tours cost just $1.00 per person and are held Wednesday-Friday each week.

Highlighting the two weeks of world-class competition are the $75,000 Mirror Lake Inn Grand Prix of Lake Placid, presented by Intercat, Inc., which returns on Sunday, July 3 and the $75,000 Woodlea Farms Grand Prix, presented by Intercat, Inc., which returns on Saturday, July 9. Following the $75,000 Woodlea Farms Grand Prix, the Richard and Diana Feldman Perpetual Challenge Trophy for Excellence is awarded to the rider who has won the most combined prize money in Lake Placid’s two Grand Prix.

Also returning is the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Eastern Hay and Purina Mills, on Sunday, July 10, in the Richard M. Feldman Grand Prix Field. The Derby, which was an instant favorite when it made its debut at last year's horse show, adds a fun and unique spin on traditional hunter classes as Derby participants compete over a course of jumps designed to simulate natural obstacles set in the horse show's large grass Grand Prix field.

The 2011 Intercat, Inc. Lake Placid Horse Show and I Love New York Horse Show sponsors include: A Placid Life, Adirondack Flying Service, Adirondack Life, Adirondack Store, Alessandro Albanese, Animal Planet, Anonymous, Arbor Hill Farm (The Boggio Family), Bainbridge Companies, LLC, Beacon Hill Horse Transportation, Inc., Brandy Parfums, Ltd., Cape Air, Carr-Hughes Productions, Casella Waste Management, Champlain Valley Equipment, Jane Forbes Clark, Clifton Park Rental Center, C.M. Hadfield's Saddlery, Inc., Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club, David R. Fowler Custom Tack Trunks, Deeridge Farms, Der Dau Custom Made Boots, Devoucoux, Inc, Eastern Hay, Equifit, Inc., FarmVet, Inc., Fox Run, Ltd., Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, James Harpel, High Peaks Resort, Horseshoe Trail Farm, LLC, Horse Show Services, Horse Watch, Intercat, Inc., J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Jamaica Tent Company, Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC, Juliam Farm, Kistler Buildings, Lake Placid Lodge, Lake Placid Summit Resort Hotel & Suites, Meadow Grove Farm, Mirror Lake Inn, Mountain Horse, Bobby & Melissa Murphy, On A Fence Designs, ORDA - Whiteface Mountain, P. F. Farm, Parlanti USA, Pepsi Beverages Company, Price Chopper, Purina Mills, Quiet Hill Farm, ROOST - LP-Essex County Visitors Bureau, Ruthie's Run, Sam Edelman Shoes, Sand Castle Farm, Lora & Michael Schultz, Sidelines, SmartPak, Storm Ridge Capital, LLC, Stretton Enterprises, Inc., The Brown Dog Deli & Wine Bar, The Cottage Café, The Hooker Family, The Levy Family, The Spa @ The Mirror Lake Inn, The Tack Shelter, Time Warner Cable, Town of North Elba Park District, USA Animo, Woodlea Farms, WPTZ News Channel 5 and Y-106.3.

Admission to the Lake Placid and I Love New York Horse Shows is $2.00 on weekdays and $5.00 on weekends. Children under the age of 12 are admitted free and discounts are offered to groups of 20 or more. Tickets are available at the gate. Show your Price Chopper AdvantEdge Card, and your admission fee is 50% off.

For more information, please call the Lake Placid Horse Show Association at (518) 523-9625 or visit www.lakeplacidhorseshow.com.