Lake Placid Honors Richard M. Feldman

Horse show chairman Richard M. Feldman is given the key to the Olympic Village and elected to the Lake Placid Hall of Fame for his tireless efforts over the years to bring people to Lake Placid for the horse shows.

July 8 2009 — The town of Lake Placid, N.Y., has paid tribute to longtime Lake Placid Horse Show Association Chairman Richard M. Feldman with honors bestowed on only a select few.

During this year’s Lake Placid and I Love New York Horse Shows, Feldman was presented with the Key to the Olympic Village and was elected to the Lake Placid Hall of Fame. To help celebrate the tribute, Feldman and his wife, Diana, were chosen to serve as Grand Marshalls of the town’s annual Fourth of July Parade.

Throughout Lake Placid’s long history as a center of Olympic sports, less than a dozen individuals have been presented the Key to the Olympic Village. Feldman was so honored for his tireless efforts over the years to bring people to Lake Placid for the horse shows. His leadership of the horse shows has solidified their position among the nation’s most respected and loved shows and has added millions of dollars to the economy of the Adirondack resort town.

“The town of Lake Placid is excited to honor Dick Feldman for all he has done,” said Robert T. Politi, North Elba Town Supervisor. “We have chosen to honor him because he is someone who has made a difference, not only to the people who live here, but also to everyone connected with the horse show. We appreciate everything Dick has done for the town, not just from an economic standpoint, but also for the notoriety he has brought to Lake Placid by promoting us wherever he goes.”

In addition, Feldman is one of five new members of the Lake Placid Hall of Fame who will be inducted in formal ceremonies this fall, joining 112 previous members who have been inducted since the Hall of Fame was established by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) in 1983.

“This is my Academy Award,” said Feldman. “To be honored by the town on behalf of the horse show is a great honor, and I have overwhelming gratitude for the town. This is the pinnacle of everything I’ve done and I am so thankful to everyone in town, not only for this honor, but also for all they have done to support the horse shows.”

To be considered for induction to the Lake Placid Hall of Fame, individuals must be past or current residents of the Olympic Region or have some significant connection to the area. They must also have made significant contributions in sports, cultural or civic endeavors, or their pursuits must have enhanced the historical heritage of the area.

More than 70 individuals were considered for this year’s induction with only the top five receiving the honor.

This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Lake Placid Horse Shows. The horse shows include two Grand Prix events–the $75,000 RV Sales of Broward Grandprix of Lake Placid CSI 2* for the Whitney Perpetual Challenge Trophy and the $75,000 Herm?s Grandprix CSI 2*. Following the Herm?s Grandprix, 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.

“One of the things that make the Lake Placid Horse Shows so special is the world-class horses and riders who return each year,” said Feldman. “We are very lucky to host our horse shows in such a wonderful town and everyone on the horse show circuit looks forward all year long to returning to Lake Placid. As I ponder these honors, I know that it is a tribute to so many people who have all helped make our horse shows the best in the world!”

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