13 December 2010 – For the third year running, Eric Lamaze and John Fleischhacker, joint-owners of the 14 year old bay stallion Hickstead, have been awarded the prestigious title of “Owner of the Year” by the Jumping Owners Club. Hickstead and Canadian rider Eric Lamaze continued their superb form to maintain their position as the most successful horse and rider combination in 2010.
Christian Baillet, Chairman of the Jumping Owners Club, and Jean-Noel Bioul of Rolex SA presented the award to Eric Lamaze. The ceremony took place during the 2010 Rolex FEI World Cup Qualifier at the Geneva Palexpo, Switzerland, on 11 December 2010.
Formed in 2005 and supported by Rolex, the Jumping Owners Club is an exclusive organisation of international owners which works towards growing the popularity of the sport around the world. It is the only body which represents the views and opinions of the owners, and works closely alongside the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) in building the profile and inclusiveness of Jumping.
The International Owner of the Year Award was created in 2004 to recognise the most successful owner of each year in the discipline of Jumping. To determine the winner, a classification is established for all horse and rider combinations based on points obtained for the Rolex Rankings during the calendar year. The owner of the horse of the winning combination receives the award; a bronze sculpture produced by Caroline Wallace and a silver picture frame presented by Rolex.
Mr Christian Baillet, Chairman of the Jumping Owners Club, said: “There is no doubting the extraordinary partnership between Hickstead and Eric Lamaze as seen by them winning this award for the third year in a row. This award goes some way to recognising their many outstanding successes and we wish Eric Lamaze and John Fleischhacker many best wishes for continued success in 2011.”
Previous winners of this award were John, Pat and Lisa Hales (GBR) for Arko III in 2004 and 2005, Mrs Serena Hamberg (AUT) for The Sixth Sense in 2006, Mrs Nancy Clark (USA) for Shutterfly in 2007, and Mr Eric Lamaze (CAN) & Mr John Fleischhacker (USA) for Hickstead in 2008 and 2009.
For further information, please contact:
Mr Christian Baillet, Chairman Jumping Owners Club
Email: cbaillet@quilvest.com
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