Category Archives: Jennifer Ward

Beth Underhill Wins €500,000 Rolex Grand Prix of La Baule

Beth Underhill riding Dieu Merci van T&L. Photo by Pierre Costabadie/Scoopdyga.com.

La Baule, France – Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill of Mulmer, ON won the €500,000 Rolex Grand Prix of La Baule on Sunday, May 8, to close out the CSIO5* International Jumping La Baule in France.

On Friday, Underhill delivered double clear rounds to lead Canada to a third-place finish in the €250,000 Nations’ Cup riding Dieu Merci van T&L. The pair carried their form into Sunday’s €500,000 Rolex Grand Prix where they again jumped clear in the opening round of competition to join 11 other riders who qualified for the second round.

Underhill and Dieu Merci van T&L tackled the second-round course set in the François André Stadium by French course designer Gregory Bodo and delivered yet another clear round in a time of 43.77 seconds to put the pressure on those who followed. None were able to catch her time and leave all the rails up, giving the win to Underhill and the 13-year-old Belgian Sport Horse stallion (Toulon x Corrado I) owned by the Rein Family LLC and Torrey Pines Stable Inc. Yuri Mansur of Brazil riding Vitiki was the only other rider to produce two clear rounds, but his slower time of 45 seconds left him in second. There was a tie for third place when both Pierre Marie Friant of France riding Urdy d’Astree and Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet riding Nevados S counted four faults in the exact same time of 41.66 seconds.

“He was spectacular all week and didn’t put a foot wrong,” said Underhill of her winning mount. “He gave me everything he had without question and felt better every round.”

Underhill, who operates her own Beth Underhill Stables training business in King City, ON, began riding horses for Eric Lamaze at the beginning of this season when health issues forced the 2008 Olympic champion to take a step back. Lamaze has since formally announced his retirement from the sport but has taken up his new role as chef d’equipe of the Canadian Show Jumping Team with gusto.

Underhill, 59, recounted, “When I went in the ring for the second round, Eric said, ‘It’s yours to take.’ It galvanized me. I thought about all that Eric has done for us and has given me a renewed opportunity at this stage in my career. All the Canadian riders wanted to make this week count. I wanted to hold my own and put into practice all the things that we had been working on. I wanted to do it for Eric. To have a result like this is thrilling.”

Dieu Merci van T&L was acquired in the summer of 2020 and is owned in partnership between Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable and Mark Rein and Tara Dow-Rein’s Rein Family LLC. Prior to La Baule, Underhill had only competed the horse during two weeks of competition in March at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

“Mark has been texting after every round encouraging us; we couldn’t ask for better owners,” said Underhill of the 2021 Equestrian Canada Jumping Committee’s ‘Owner of the Year.’ “I grew up riding with Mark years ago as a junior. He is a Canadian and someone who loves the sport. We are so appreciative that he and Tara have brought their support to this level, and all that they’ve done to get us to this point. I’m very thankful to have a horse at this level.

“To watch the Canadian flag being raised and hear the anthem being played was an emotional moment, with the whole team there supporting us,” continued Underhill who represented Canada at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona with Monopoly. “To be part of a competition like La Baule is a dream come true for me. The crowd was electric and so supportive of the Canadians. Because of Eric’s history with the show, I think they have a soft spot for Canadians. It was an incredible week. We did what we came to do.”

Lamaze has won the Grand Prix of La Baule on three occasions, in 2007 and 2011 riding his Beijing Olympic individual gold and team silver partner, Hickstead, and again in 2014 aboard Powerplay.

“As Canadians, we couldn’t be happier; Beth continued the form she had in the Nations’ Cup,” said Lamaze. “It was an excellent course. It was a big grand prix track that was built with a lot of thought behind it. Beth was fast enough in the second round but not fast enough to do something stupid. She did what she needed to do at that stage of the class, and it worked out for her. Beth looks strong on that horse and winning the Grand Prix of La Baule is a major achievement in your career.

“I proud not only of Beth for the win, but for the entire Canadian team and their attitude, the way that they handled everything and supported each other this week,” continued Lamaze. “Competing in Europe is something I’ve done by myself for so many years; we eventually managed to get some teams over here, but it was never properly organized. This week shows that good things are to come for Canada.”

“This morning I was walking through the vendor area and I came across the place where they have all the plaques of the past winners,” concluded Underhill. “I saw that Canada had won the Nations’ Cup in 1970, and that Eric had won the Grand Prix twice with Hickstead and again with Powerplay. I thought to myself, ‘Wouldn’t it be magical to be part of that hallowed group?’”

During the event’s 61st edition, Underhill and Dieu Merci van T&L have indeed written their names in the history books of La Baule.

For more information on CSIO5* La Baule and full results, including video footage of Underhill’s winning round, visit www.labaule-cheval.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Ward | www.startinggate.ca

Eric Lamaze and Hickstead Inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

Photo by ClixPhoto.com.

Calgary, Alberta – Olympic show jumping champions Eric Lamaze and Hickstead were inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame during a virtual ceremony held Sunday evening, October 3, 2021.

Inducted in the ‘Team’ category, Lamaze and Hickstead are widely considered to be the best competitors of their era. Among their many feats was claiming the Olympic Championship title at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and leading Canada to the team silver medal.

Lamaze and Hickstead also earned an individual bronze medal at the 2010 World Championships in Lexington, Kentucky, where Hickstead was awarded the title of “Best Horse.” They won team silver and individual bronze medals at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as well as several major grand prix show jumping titles including Calgary, Canada (2007 and 2011); Geneva, Switzerland (2008); Aachen, Germany (2010); La Baule, France (2011); and Rome, Italy (2011).

“I believe this is the greatest honour you can receive from your country,” said Lamaze, 53. “Hickstead was incredible, simply one of a kind. Together, we were proud to represent Canada on the world stage. It is well deserved on his part; I just went along for the ride.”

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, traditionally held each October in Toronto, ON, was held virtually for the first time. Hosted by Sportsnet’s Ron MacLean and Tara Slone, the ceremony also featured a musical performance by Jim Cuddy, best known for his work with Blue Rodeo.

In addition to being inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020/21, Lamaze received the Order of Sport, Canada’s highest sporting honour. The Order of Sport was presented to Lamaze while he was competing at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, AB in September. It was a fitting venue for the presentation, given that a life-size bronze statue of Hickstead overlooks the Spruce Meadows Plaza.

Hickstead (Hamlet – Jomara x Ekstein) was bred in The Netherlands by Jan van Schijndel and born on March 2, 1996. Lamaze purchased the Dutch Warmblood stallion in 2004 through Stephex Stables in Belgium and owned him in partnership with John Fleischhacker’s Ashland Stables of the United States. Prior to his tragic death during competition in Italy in 2011, Hickstead had earned more than $3 million in prize money during his career with Lamaze.

Lamaze has competed in three consecutive Olympic Games – 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, England; and 2016 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition to the individual gold and team silver medals won with Hickstead in Beijing, Lamaze won an individual bronze medal partnered with Fine Lady 5 at the 2016 Olympic Games. He owns and operates Torrey Pines Stable, a show jumping training and sales business with bases in Wellington, Florida and Brussels, Belgium, where he trains many students from various nationalities at the elite level. For more information, visit www.ericlamaze.com.

For more information on Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Order of Sport, visit www.sportshall.ca and www.orderofsport.ca.

CONTACT: Jennifer Ward | www.startinggate.ca

Amy Millar and Truman Claim First Caledon Cup Victory

Amy Millar and Truman. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Caledon, Ontario — Canadian Olympian Amy Millar of Perth, ON claimed the $40,000 CSI2* Caledon Cup – Phase 3, presented by HEP, Aviva Insurance, and Edge Mutual Insurance, and topped the overall Caledon Cup standings on Sunday, September 22, at the CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament held at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Caledon, ON.

Comprised of three phases held Thursday, Friday evening, and Sunday, Millar’s consistency with Truman put her at the top of the overall standings to win her first Caledon Cup.  She was also awarded the inaugural $10,000 Caledon Cup rider bonus, presented by RAM Equestrian, to make victory even sweeter.

“I chose the right year to win it!” smiled Millar, 42, who also won a $1,000 bonus for wearing a HEP-branded saddle pad on her way to victory.  “It’s hard to be consistent over the three days.  Truman was good the first day and got a ribbon on the second day.  I had some making up to do and came into today needing to win.  All you can do is the best you can and I also got lucky.  It’s so great to have all of the hard work rewarded with a bonus like that.”

Millar and Truman placed fifth in Thursday’s opening speed round, the $36,500 CSI2* Caledon Cup – Phase I, presented by RAM Equestrian, and 12th in Friday night’s $36,500 CSI2* Caledon Cup – Phase 2, presented by HEP, Aviva Insurance, and Edge Mutual Insurance, held in the indoor arena built when the Caledon Equestrian Park hosted the equestrian events for the 2015 Pan American Games.

On Sunday, Millar and Truman were one of six pairs to successfully negotiate the first round track set by Mexican course designer Catsy Cruz and had the advantage of being last to return for the tie-breaking jump-off.

“Going last proved to be more good luck for me,” said Millar.  “Being where I was in the jump-off order, I could see exactly what I had to do.  It was nice to know exactly what it was going to take.”

When Millar entered the ring for the jump-off, 2008 Olympic team silver medalist Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, ON held the lead with a time of 42.13 seconds.  Millar and Truman executed a clear round in a time of 40.72 seconds to take the win over Henselwood riding Eblesse, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Martel) owned by Juniper Farms.

Hyde Moffatt of Brantford, ON was the only other rider to go double clear, stopping the clock in 43.71 seconds for third place riding Ariel Grange’s Gisborne VDL.  Brady Hayes of Richmond Hill, ON had the time, 38.93 seconds, but a rail down for four faults cost him the victory with Ridley, a Canadian Sport Horse also owned by Grange.

When the points were tabulated for the Caledon Cup following all three phases, Millar was tied on 37 points with Ireland’s Daniel Coyle, who had won Friday night’s featured event with CHS Krooze.  As the top performer in the final phase, Millar got the nod as the 2019 Caledon Cup winner.

“These types of championship formats, whether it’s at the two-star, five-star or Olympic level, put you and your horse in the position of having to perform consistently,” noted Millar of the Caledon Cup’s three-phase format.  “It’s exciting, and every day you come out trying to win.

“I’m really pleased with my string of horses,” continued Millar, who also enjoyed a successful week in Caledon Cup competition riding Ericson, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Millar Brooke Farm Ltd. and Partners.  “Truman has been coming along fantastic; he can jump anything.  My little horse, Ericson, has really stepped up and been very consistent at 1.50m and I’m looking forward to moving him up to 1.60m next year.  You work and work and you wait and you wait and here we finally are.”

Millar discovered Truman while based in Belgium in preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games where she was a member of Canada’s fourth-placed team riding Heros.  She began riding the now 10-year-old Selle Français gelding (Mylord Carthago x Kolibri) at the encouragement of her Olympic teammates, Tiffany Foster and Eric Lamaze, and partnered with Lamaze to buy him.

“Truman is an interesting guy; he is a very level-headed horse,” said Millar of Truman, who is now owned by Patty and Patrick Overlund in partnership with her family’s Millar Brooke Farm Ltd.  “He’s very programmable; you teach him something and he will do it exactly the same every time.  We had to teach him a lot of stuff but once he learned something, he never forgot it and we could move on to the next lesson.  The more I ride him, and the more I get to know him, it allows for a lot of consistency in our performances.”

The CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament marked the third and final week of Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) sanctioned competition held at the Caledon Equestrian Park this season.  The event is produced by Equestrian Management Group (EMG), led by Craig Collins.

“I’d like to thank Craig and his team of sponsors for this wonderful week of jumping and all of the extra bonuses and incentives,” said the newly-crowned Caledon Cup champion.

Since its inception, Hugh Graham (2009), Jill Henselwood (2010), Ian Millar (2011, 2014, and 2015), Yann Candele (2012), Conor Swail (2013), Nicole Walker (2016), Ali Ramsay (2017), and Veronica Bot (2018) have all hoisted the coveted Caledon Cup.

For more information, including full results and competition schedule, visit www.caledonequestrianpark.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Ward | cell: 613-292-5439 | www.startinggate.ca

Eric Lamaze Scores Back-to-Back Grand Prix Victories at Spruce Meadows

Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5. Photo by Sportfot.

Calgary, Alberta – Canada’s Eric Lamaze scored back-to-back grand prix victories at the iconic Spruce Meadows show jumping venue in Calgary, AB.  Hot off his win riding Chacco Kid in the $500,000 CSI5* RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex, on Saturday, June 8, Lamaze repeated his winning ways on Sunday, June 16, by capturing the $390,000 CSI5* Friends of the Meadows Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, riding Fine Lady 5 to close out the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ tournament.

Forty-one of the world’s top show jumping athletes tackled the technical track set by Canadian course designer Michel Vaillancourt in the Meadows on the Green ring.  Seven riders, including three Olympic gold medalists, delivered clear rounds to set the stage for what would prove to be a thrilling jump-off.

2012 Olympic Champion and current number one rider in the world, Steve Guerdat of Switzerland, was the first to return for the jump-off.  He set the early pace, turning in a clear performance in a time of 38.68 seconds riding Venard de Cerisy.  Speed demon Kent Farrington, a member of the U.S. silver medal team at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was up next with Creedance.  His time of 38.73 seconds was close, but not close enough, and would leave him fourth in the final standings.

Lamaze and Fine Lady 5, a 16-year-old Hanoverian mare (Forsyth x Drosselklang II) owned by Artisan Farms LLC and his Torrey Pines Stable, sped around the track in a time of 38.65 seconds to move to the top of the leaderboard.  When two-time Olympic team gold medalist Beezie Madden pulled a rail with Darry Lou, all eyes turned to Canada’s Mario Deslauriers and Amsterdam 27.  The 1984 World Cup champion took his best shot, coming home in 38.67 seconds, just two hundredths of a second behind Lamaze and one hundredth of a second in front of Guerdat.  It was all up to the final challenger, Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt.  Riding CHE Fantastica, Weishaupt crossed the timers in 38.78 seconds.  While seemingly close to Lamaze’s winning time of 38.65 seconds, it would only land him fifth in the final standings.

“I have never seen an event where the riders were this close,” remarked Vaillancourt, the only Canadian show jumping athlete other than Lamaze to have won an individual Olympic medal, claiming silver at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

“It was a great jump-off; everybody in there knows how to go fast!” said Lamaze, 51. “Anyone could have won today but my horse seems to jump the lowest in the air; she just skimmed the last fence.  She jumps quite flat and lands carrying the speed.  Some horses are more agile than others at being able to go fast, and it sure makes our lives easier.  My horse deserves a lot of the credit.”

Despite her winning form, Lamaze is already thinking ahead to Fine Lady 5’s future.

“She’s 16 this year, and she’s been an incredible horse for me,” said Lamaze of his Olympic individual bronze medal partner at the 2016 Rio Olympics.  “It’s hard to think retirement when you see her jumping like this, but I want to leave with her winning and feeling great about the sport.  She deserves it.”

Earlier in the week, Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 finished second to Farrington and Creedance in the Scotiabank Cup on Friday night, June 14.  At last week’s CSI5* ‘National’ tournament, the pair topped a 14-horse jump-off to win the PwC Cup on Thursday, June 6.

Following a week of rest, international show jumping competition will resume at Spruce Meadows with the CSI5* ‘Pan American’ and CSI5* ‘North American’ tournaments.  Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 are the defending champions of the $500,000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup, presented by Rolex, which will be held during the ‘North American’ tournament on Saturday, July 6.

Lamaze is the all-time leading money winner at Spruce Meadows with more than $6 million in career earnings.  For more information on Eric Lamaze and his Torrey Pines Stable, visit www.ericlamaze.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Ward | cell: 613-292-5439 | www.startinggate.ca

Emotional Victory for Eric Lamaze at Calgary’s Spruce Meadows

Photo by Sportfot.

Calgary, Alberta – It was an emotional victory for Canada’s Eric Lamaze in the $500,000 RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex, on Saturday, June 8, at the Spruce Meadows ‘National’ tournament in Calgary, AB.

In his first competition since publicly revealing that he has been battling a brain tumour for the past year and a half, Lamaze scored one of the most meaningful wins of his career.  Riding Chacco Kid, Lamaze topped a seven-horse jump-off in dramatic fashion.  Jumping clear in a time of 46.25 seconds, Lamaze moved into the lead with two riders to follow.  2018 World Cup Champion Beezie Madden of the U.S. had the time, 44.62 seconds, with Coach but a rail down at the final Rolex fence dropped her to fourth in the final standings.  The reigning World Cup Champion and one of Lamaze’s closest friends, Steve Guerdat of Switzerland, was the final challenger and looked on target with Albfuehren’s Bianca, but when the clock stopped in 46.96 seconds, the victory went to Lamaze.

“I didn’t get up this morning thinking this was possible,” said an emotional Lamaze, 51. “It shows what a good horse can do for you.  When you don’t have the fight in you, they fight for you.  It’s one the victories I will cherish forever.”

The all-time leading money winner at Spruce Meadows with more than $6 million in career earnings, Lamaze last won the Grand Prix title at the ‘National’ tournament in 2010 riding Hickstead.

“This is an ongoing battle for me and today is a gift,” said the 2008 Olympic Champion.  “With great support from Steve [Guerdat], my owners and clients, my staff, and people all around the world, you keep fighting and the dream came true.  With the great Hickstead was the last time I won this grand prix; he was looking out for me today.”

Lamaze has been partnered with his winning mount, Chacco Kid, a 13-year-old chestnut Oldenburg gelding (Chacco Blue x Come On), for the past three years.  The horse is owned by The Chacco Kid group consisting of Rick and Sara Mershad, Ludi and Carol Sollak, and Andy and Carlene Ziegler.

“It was his first real grand prix win in the International Ring,” said Lamaze of Chacco Kid.  “I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again – I do believe Spruce Meadows makes horses.  Chacco Kid arrived here three years ago and he’s a better horse because of it.  I can’t say enough about this facility.  Spruce Meadows is a place to bring young students and see them grow, and to bring young horses and see them grow.  If you win a competition here, you can win anywhere in the world.”

Leaving little doubt as to his will to win, Lamaze also claimed victory on Thursday evening riding his 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medal partner, Fine Lady 5, owned by Artisan Farms and Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable.  The pair topped a 14-horse jump-off to win the $36,100 1.50m PwC Cup, beating out Ireland’s Conor Swail riding GK Coco Chanel and Lamaze’s student, Kara Chad of Calgary, AB, who finished third aboard Viva.

Proud of his students and thankful for his friends and supporters, Lamaze had the biggest praise for his equine partners.

“This is our livelihood but we are very close to these animals and what they do for us,” said Lamaze, who is based in Brussels, Belgium.  “The horses are a big part of why I am here today.  I don’t know what level I will continue riding at as the year goes on but I know horses will always be a part of my life.  I want to keep riding and I will keep fighting every day to do this.  The horse is the greatest therapy you can have.”

For more information on Eric Lamaze and his Torrey Pines Stable, visit www.ericlamaze.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Ward | cell: 613-292-5439 | www.startinggate.ca

Ian Millar Announces Retirement from International Competition

Photo by Simon Stafford for Starting Gate Communications.

Perth, Ontario – Ten-time Canadian Olympian Ian Millar has announced his retirement from international show jumping competition after nearly five decades at the top level.  One of the most successful show jumping riders of all time, Millar is stepping away from the international level to re-focus his efforts on coaching and developing young horses.

Born in Halifax, NS in 1947, Millar began riding at the age of 10 in Alberta and was named to his first Nations’ Cup team in 1971.  Since that time, Millar has been a stalwart on the Canadian Equestrian Team, revered for his ability to deliver under pressure in major competitions.  Millar has represented Canada in more than 200 Nations’ Cup team competitions, including appearances in 10 Olympic Games, 10 Pan American Games, and seven World Championships.  Millar’s 10 Olympic appearances is a world record for any athlete across all sports.  He won his first Olympic medal, a team silver, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has 10 Pan American Games medals, including two individual and two team gold.

“Representing Canada many times over my career has been my greatest honour,” said Millar of Perth, ON.  “Each time I wore the red team jacket was very special to me, and the fact that I was able to share this experience with so many great riders is a testament to the quality of horsemen and horsewomen here in our country.”

In addition to his efforts representing Canada internationally, Millar has won over 150 grand prix competitions over the course of his illustrious career, including winning the prestigious international grand prix three times at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ tournament in Calgary, AB.  He is a 12-time Canadian Show Jumping Champion and was the first rider to win back-to-back World Cup Finals, earning the title in 1988 and 1989.  His most successful horse, Big Ben, was a household name throughout Canada in the late 1980s and 1990s and was a favourite to win everywhere he competed.

Millar built his home stable, Millar Brooke Farm, located in Perth, ON, into a powerhouse training ground for international show jumping.  In addition to his development of over 100 grand prix horses, Millar has coached a number of other top international riders including Canadian Olympic teammates Mario Deslauriers and Jill Henselwood, as well as Richard Spooner of the U.S.  He has also been instrumental in the successful careers of his son, Jonathon; daughter, Amy; and daughter-in-law, Kelly, all of whom currently represent their country in international competition.  Today, Millar operates Millar Brooke Farm alongside his children and focuses on producing top show jumping horses and riders for competition.

In recognition of his many successes, Millar has received numerous awards including being named a Member of the Order of Canada.  He has been inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, and the Jump Canada Hall of Fame.

While Millar is stepping back from international competition, he plans to be busier than ever working with up-and-coming athletes and horses.

“The bond formed between horse and rider is an amazing thing to experience, but the partnership has to be built the right way, with compassion, understanding, and care,” said Millar.  “Over the past few years, I have found myself more and more drawn toward working with young horses and riders, and I am excited to expand my coaching to share my knowledge and passion with the next generation.”

At the conclusion of his international career, Millar paid tribute to those closest to him over the years.

“It has been the journey of a lifetime with so many dreams realized, so much due to the fantastic horses I was blessed to ride, to whom I am eternally grateful,” said Millar.  “I would like to personally thank my owners and sponsors for all their help and support during my show jumping career.  While there are too many to name, my partnerships with owner Ann Matthews and sponsor BMO Financial Group had especially long and sustained successes.  I would also like to thank all the members of my support team who have supported me faithfully over the years: my family, staff, veterinarians, equine therapists, chef d’equipes, and all my fellow riders.  Finally, the biggest contributor to my success was my late wife, Lynn, with whom I shared my most cherished bond.  Through our partnership, we achieved incredible success.”

CONTACT: Jennifer Ward | cell: 613-292-5439 | www.startinggate.ca

Eric Lamaze Opens Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament with a Win

Eric Lamaze and Chacco Kid, Photo by Starting Gate Communications.

Calgary, Alberta – Canadian Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze opened the five-day Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ show jumping tournament in Calgary, AB with a win in the $70,200 1.60m Akita Drilling Cup on Wednesday, September 5.

Lamaze closed out the four-week Spruce Meadows ‘Summer Series’ with a win, claiming the $500,000 CSI5* ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Saturday, July 7 with his 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medal partner, Fine Lady 5.  His winning mount on opening day of the ‘Masters’ was Chacco Kid, his mount for the upcoming Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Equestrian Games in Tryon, NC.

“In two weeks, we are off to the world championships and I’m using Spruce Meadows as his training ground,” said Lamaze, currently ranked number three in the world.  “I think I’m doing the right thing!”

Lamaze and Chacco Kid, a 12-year-old chestnut Oldenburg gelding (Chacco Blue x Come On), faced off against 37 entries in the $70,200 1.60m Akita Drilling Cup with six advancing to the jump-off over the course designed by Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela.  With a time of 35.32 seconds over the short course, Lamaze took the win over Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat who stopped the clock in 35.53 seconds riding Alamo while Egypt’s Sameh El Dahan delivered another clear round in a time of 35.67 to take third.

“It’s always good to win on the first day because you don’t know what is going to happen the rest of the week!” laughed Lamaze.

Lamaze will saddle up Coco Bongo, owned by Artisan Farms and Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable, for the $460,000 BMO Nations’ Cup at the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ tournament on Saturday, September 8.  He will join Lisa Carlsen of Okotoks, AB, Kara Chad of Calgary, AB, and Ian Millar of Perth, ON in representing Canada in the prestigious team event.

Based in Wellington, FL and Brussels, Belgium, Lamaze is the all-time money winner at Spruce Meadows with career earnings in excess of $5.8 million at the Canadian venue.

For more information on Eric Lamaze, visit www.ericlamaze.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Ward | cell: 613-292-5439 | www.startinggate.ca

Spencer Smith Wins Third Consecutive Grand Prix in Europe

Spencer Smith and Theodore Manciais. Photo by Solenn Rispail for R&B Presse.

Valence, France – For the third Sunday in a row, Spencer Smith of the United States claimed a grand prix victory in Europe.  Under the tutelage of 2008 Canadian Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze, Smith won the CSI2* Grand Prix at Global Champions Tour London, England on August 5; the CSI2* Grand Prix at Global Champions Tour Valkenswaard, Netherlands on August 12; and the €100,000 CSI4* Grand Prix in Valence, France on August 19.

Smith’s first victory in London came aboard Happiness, an 11-year-old chestnut Belgian Warmblood mare (Quadrillo x Burggraaf) owned by the Watermark Group.  Nine riders contested the jump-off, with Smith jumping clear in a time of 32.62 seconds to claim victory over Great Britain Show Jumping Team veteran, Amanda Derbyshire, who stopped the clock in 33.32 seconds riding Cornwall BH.

Valkenswaard was the next stop on the Global Champions Tour and Smith had his work cut out for him.  From a starting field of 91 entries, 38 qualified for the jump-off in the €26,100 CSI2* Grand Prix with another 18 pairs again jumping clear.  With speed being the name of the game, Smith and Theodore Manciais, an 11-year-old bay Selle Francais gelding (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Power Light) owned by his family’s Ashland Farms, stopped the clock in 34.21 seconds to win by exactly one full second over Brazil’s Yuri Mansur riding van het Indihof Hunter and relegating Simon Deleste of France to third with Conbelleza.

With two wins at the two-star level to his credit, Smith stepped up to the four-star level in Valence, joining 39 other horse-rider combinations to contest the €100,000 CSI4* Grand Prix, presented by Axeria – SFAM.  In a repeat of their win in the $132,000 CSI3* Horseware Ireland Grand Prix earlier this year in Wellington, Florida, Smith and Theodore Manciais posted the only clear round to take the win without a jump-off.

“This is the third week in a row that Spencer has won the grand prix,” said Lamaze of his 21-year-old protege.  “The grand prix he won today was big; for him to be clear in the four-star grand prix in Valence was amazing.”

Winner of the 2014 Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Medal Finals, Smith made his United States Equestrian Team debut this spring as a member of the Nations’ Cup in Rome, Italy.  In addition to being one of several athletes that train and compete alongside Lamaze at show jumping’s highest level, Smith also works as a rider for his Torrey Pines Stable with bases in Brussels, Belgium and Wellington, Florida.

“Spencer is a great kid; he works hard, listens, and truly wants to be a student of the sport,” said Lamaze, who has long done business with Smith’s parents, professional trainers Ken and Emily Smith, of Ashland Farms based in Lexington, Kentucky.  “I saw something in Spencer.  He rode well, and he has been brought up in our sport by true professionals.  He had a background in hunters and equitation, and now he’s finding success at the biggest and most competitive show jumping venues in the world.

“He is a big part of our business at Torrey Pines and is a huge asset to our team, and he deserves every congratulation on what he has accomplished,” concluded Lamaze.

For more information on Eric Lamaze and Torrey Pines Stable, visit www.ericlamaze.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Ward | cell: 613-292-5439 | www.startinggate.ca

Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 Victorious in $385,000 CSI5* ‘Continental’ Grand Prix

Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5. Photo by Spruce Meadows Media.

Calgary, Alberta – Canadian Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze stood in the winner’s circle for the third day in a row after claiming the $385,000 CSI5* ‘Continental’ Grand Prix riding Fine Lady 5 on Sunday, June 17, at the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ tournament in Calgary, AB.

Having won Friday night’s $131,600 Scotiabank Cup in spectacular fashion aboard Chacco Kid, Lamaze again won on Saturday, taking the $70,200 Canadian Utilities Cup with new mount, Saura de Fondcombe, owned by Katharina Peter.  His third win on Sunday came aboard Fine Lady 5, his individual bronze medal partner at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Riding Fine Lady 5, the 15-year-old Hanoverian mare (Forsyth x Drosselklang II) his Torrey Pines Stable owns in partnership with Andy and Carlene Ziegler’s Artisan Farms, Lamaze was one of seven riders to jump clear and qualify for the jump-off over a testing track set by course designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil.  In the same scenario as Friday night’s Scotiabank Cup, Lamaze was chasing the jump-off time posted by young American Lucy Deslauriers and Hester when he entered the ring.  And in a repeat of Friday night, Lamaze was again faster, stopping the clock in 43.22 seconds compared to the 43.66 posted by Deslauriers.

Lamaze is using the Spruce Meadows Summer Series consisting of four weeks of CSI5* competition, the highest level of show jumping competition sanctioned by the Federation Equestre International (FEI), to prepare for September’s FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, NC.  When Fine Lady 5 was originally purchased in the spring of 2014 from Germany’s Holger Wulschner, she was not intended to be used for 1.60m grand prix competition.

“Fine Lady was purchased as a speed horse, as a 1.45m/1.50m ranking horse,” explained Lamaze, who is based in Wellington, FL and Brussels, Belgium.  “Prior to the Rio Olympics, we stepped her up and put her in some big competitions here at Spruce Meadows in the Summer Series and she just blossomed.  Then we moved her up at Aachen and she won.  At the Olympics I couldn’t believe it; the final round was big and although I wouldn’t say she jumped it easily – none of the horses jumped it easily – she jumped it.  It was a very pleasant surprise.

“Any horse that did well in recent major championships, the ones that ended up on the podium at an Olympics or World Championships, most of them came here in the summer time and trained for the four weeks,” continued Lamaze.  “In a year when there is a world championship, there is no better place to prepare than the Spruce Meadows Summer Series.  It makes you a better rider.  This Summer Series serves us on many levels.  It’s good for developing younger horses and younger riders and it also prepares more experienced combinations for major championships.”

As Fine Lady 5 is his intended mount for the World Equestrian Games, Lamaze is choosing her classes carefully.  He will now rest the mare for two weeks before bringing her out to contest the Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ tournament from July 4 to 8.

“I love coming to Spruce Meadows; we have real competition here,” said Lamaze, who is the all-time leading money winner at the Calgary venue.  “It’s the only venue in Canada that I come to.  This facility has been very good to me.  And I love competing in front of our fans.  It feels like home.”

Lamaze will now have a week off from competition before returning to Calgary for the back-to-back Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ and ‘North American’ tournaments.

For more information on Eric Lamaze, please visit www.ericlamaze.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Ward | cell: 613-292-5439 | www.startinggate.ca

Eric Lamaze Scores Back-to-Back Wins at Spruce Meadows

Eric Lamaze and Chacco Kid. Photo by Spruce Meadows Media.

Calgary, Alberta – Canada’s Eric Lamaze scored back-to-back victories at the CSI5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ tournament on June 15 and 16.  Hot off his win in Friday night’s $131,600 Scotiabank Cup, Lamaze returned to the Meadows on the Green arena on Saturday to claim victory in the $70,200 Canadian Utilities Cup.

On Friday night, Lamaze qualified both Chacco Kid, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Chacco Blue x Come On) owned by the Chacco Kid Group, and his 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medal partner, Fine Lady 5, for the jump-off, joining six other horse-rider combinations.  Once Chacco Kid posted a time of 37.13 seconds over the course designed by Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge to move into the lead by over two seconds, Lamaze elected to withdraw Fine Lady 5 in the hopes his leading time would stand up for the win.  Stand up it did, with Lamaze and Chacco Kid claiming the Scotiabank Cup over 19-year-old American Lucy Deslauriers who stopped the timers in 39.16 seconds riding Hester.

“Most grand prix events don’t even offer $100,000 in prize money so when you’re going for $131,000 on a Friday night, you are jumping for real money,” said Lamaze.  “It was an incredible class.  The track that Guilherme set was built for speed.  If you wanted to win, you had to be committed.

“After the jump-off round I had with Chacco, I didn’t think I could possibly go any faster with Fine Lady!” said Lamaze of his decision to withdraw Fine Lady 5, automatically placing the pair eighth.

The leading all-time money winner at Spruce Meadows, Lamaze increased his lead even further on Saturday by winning the Canadian Utilities Cup.  A total of 12 riders jumped clear in the first round to advance to the tie-breaker including Lamaze aboard a new mount, Saura de Fondcombe, owned by Katharina Peter.  As the tenth rider to return for the jump-off, Lamaze was chasing a time of 36.07 set by Daniel Coyle of Ireland riding Quintin.  Despite the new partnership, Lamaze guided the 12-year-old selle francais mare (Balou du Rouet x Paladin des Ifs) home in a time 35.38 seconds to claim his second victory in as many days at the iconic Canadian show jumping venue.

“Last night, the jump-off was insane!  Today was a little more subdued,” laughed Lamaze, 50, who also finished runner-up in Thursday night’s $40,000 1.50m Husky Energy Classic with Saura de Fondcombe.  “It was a solid 1.50m course with 12 clear, and I had a good position going towards the end.  She is a very careful, genuine mare.  She’s had a lot of experience at this level and you can take a lot of risk.  She’s a really good horse.

“As I always say, if you win a class at Spruce Meadows, you can win anywhere in the world,” said Lamaze.  “Horses learn a lot and riders learn a lot by competing here.  It’s real sport.  If you want to participate in any major championships, you have to prove you can survive Spruce Meadows!”

Lamaze will saddle up Fine Lady 5, the 15-year-old Hanoverian mare (Forsyth x Drosselklang II) he owns in partnership with Andy and Carlene Ziegler’s Artisan Farms, for Sunday’s $385,000 CSI5* ‘Continental’ Grand Prix beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Following the Spruce Meadows Summer Series, concluding on July 8, Lamaze will return to his home base in Brussels, Belgium.  From there, he will compete at the CSI5* Global Champions Tour in Chantilly, France, from July 12 to 15 followed by CHIO Aachen, Germany, from July 17 to 22.

For more information on Eric Lamaze, please visit www.ericlamaze.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Ward | cell: 613-292-5439 | www.startinggate.ca