Tag Archives: Eric Lamaze

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze Scores Fifth Victory in 2015 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series

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Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5. Photos © Sportfot.

A Million Reasons and Scott Stewart Capture Fifth Championship in the Wrenwood Farms High Performance Working Hunter

Wellington, FL – March 19, 2015 – Eric Lamaze (CAN) secured an incredible fifth victory in the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) on Thursday. Lamaze began the 12-week circuit by winning four Challenge Cup classes in a row. He won in weeks one and two with Artisan Farms LLC and Torrey Pines Stable’s Rosana du Park. He then topped weeks three and four with Artisan Farms LLC’s Fine Lady 5. In the eleventh week of WEF competition, Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 returned to take one more round.

Watch Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 in their winning round!

Sponsored by Artisan Farms, WEF 11 runs March 18-22. The highlight event of the week is the $127,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4* on Saturday, March 21, which will be live streamed at 7:30 p.m. at: http://bit.ly/1C0ySF6.

Other features include the George Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship presented by Alessandro Albanese on Friday, March 20, which can be viewed at 4:30 p.m. at: http://bit.ly/1B5Evgg. The $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Final presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, as well as the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic, will be held on the derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC on Sunday, March 22. Both classes will be live streamed, beginning at 8 a.m. at http://bit.ly/1xjhKKK.

Olaf Petersen Jr. of Germany built the course for Thursday’s $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 11. He saw 61 competitors with 18 clear to advance to the jump-off, where one entry chose not to return. The short course saw another seven clear rounds, with Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 clocking in at 34.47 seconds.

Ramiro Quintana (ARG) and St. Bride’s Farm’s Whitney finished second in 35.21 seconds, and Darragh Kenny (IRL) guided Caroline Lloyd’s Sans Souci Z to the third place prize, clear over the short course with a time of 36.09 seconds. Ireland also finished fourth and fifth, with Kevin Babington and Shorapur LLC’s Shorapur crossing the timers 37.80 seconds, and Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Chaqui Z finishing in 39.61 seconds. Russia’s Ljubov Kochetova and Balou du Reventon placed sixth in 40.20 seconds, and Nick Skelton (GBR) jumped the seventh clear round in 46.96 seconds with Stone Hill Farm’s Vindicat W.

Lamaze plans to compete Fine Lady 5 at the LGCT event in Miami just after WEF and was pleased to see her back in top form this week after a minor injury. The 12-year-old Hanoverian mare (Forsyth x Drosselklang II) was out of competition midway through the winter season, but returned easily.

“It was not a bad injury and it was quickly fixed, so then it was just re-planning a little bit for the end of the circuit,” Lamaze explained. “With her, she really shows up for the event, so it is just to enter her and let her do her thing.”

Prior to Lamaze and Fine Lady’s jump-off round, Kent Farrington (USA) and Amalaya Investment’s Willow held the fastest time in 34.87 seconds, but dropped one rail along the way to place eighth. Lamaze saw Farrington’s round and knew his horse had the speed.

“I know the mare is very fast,” he stated. “I saw Kent go, and I thought he was extremely fast. I knew I was on the same second as him, so I felt pretty good about my time after watching him go. She is just such a fast horse across the ground and she is great at turning back, so all of my distances sort of came forward out of the turns and I just let her do her thing. She is deadly careful, so all you have to do is find the right distance and that is it.”

In addition to the winning portion of Thursday’s prize money, Lamaze was awarded the $3,000 SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” bonus for the fifth time this winter. Each week of the WEF Challenge Cup Series, a $3,000 bonus will be awarded to the winning rider if they are wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves in all rounds of competition with the SSG logo clearly visible. This week’s win brought his tally up to $15,000 in bonus money.

After such a remarkable start to the season, some thought that Lamaze had lost momentum halfway through the circuit, but the Olympic Champion did not let any setbacks get him down. In addition to Fine Lady’s injury, his top horse Zigali P S had a few minor problems, but Lamaze took the opportunity to get step out with some of his other horses.

“I think at the start the horses were very fresh. I used Rosana and she jumped very well and then Fine Lady. Then Fine Lady got hurt halfway through, so this was her coming back class,” Lamaze noted. “Originally she was supposed to do the Nations Cup here, but I was not able to do that with her. Then Zigali came out of the barn just not perfect as well. There were a couple of little injuries, so it sort of set me back. I had to step up Coco Bongo into some bigger classes, which he jumped very well. I had some personal good results with some horses, just not like the beginning.”

“On a circuit like this at the beginning of the season, you are not risking the horses if they are anything other than perfect,” Lamaze pointed out. “This is a time of the year to see where you are. I did not win much halfway through, but I was pleased with the results of the horses. I was also really pleased on a day like today to see Bretton Chad and Caitlin Ziegler qualify for the grand prix. Yann Candele also with four faults. We are missing Tiffany Foster, who is out with an injury. It is not just myself. All-in-all, as a stable and with my students, we had a very good day.”

Lamaze plans to show Fine Lady in Saturday night’s grand prix and will then give the mare a week off in preparation for Miami, where he feels that the small arena will suit her style. After great results with Coco Bongo in the CSI W-5*, he hopes to step the stallion up for the final week of WEF.

Also showing on Thursday, Kent Farrington (USA) won the $8,000 1.45m jump-off class with Haity McNerney’s Belle Fleur.

A Million Reasons and Scott Stewart Capture Fifth Championship in the Wrenwood Farms High Performance Working Hunter

To start off Thursday morning in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring, Scott Stewart piloted Dr. Betsee Parker’s entry, A Million Reasons, to the winner’s circle in the Wrenwood Farms High Performance Working Hunter. Winning four of the five classes, A Million Reasons was dominant over the two days of competition.

Olympic Fire, an entry of Roger Smith, earned reserve championship honors with Jennifer Hannan in the irons. The pair earned a first, a second and two thirds over fences, along with a second place finish in the under saddle.

Scott Stewart and A Million Reasons
Scott Stewart and A Million Reasons

This was A Million Reasons first time showing since WEF 6, but she came out in top form. “She [A Million Reasons] is really good about everything and very good at her job,” Stewart commented.

Earning the tricolor ribbon every time she showed during WEF, A Million Reasons will take the final week of WEF off. Stewart noted, “We did this week as a last preparation before heading off to Kentucky and then the Devon Horse Show in the spring.”

A Million Reasons is currently ranked second in the country in the High Performance Working Hunters, and Stewart is looking forward to competing with her at Devon and then Indoor finals during the fall. “She [A Million Reasons] is going to stay doing this [High Performance] division for the rest of year because she is so good,” Stewart explained.

While A Million Reasons is finished for the 2015 WEF circuit, Stewart plans on competing in the USHJA International Hunter Derby during WEF 12.

WEF 11 continues on Friday featuring the $34,000 1.45m speed class in the International Arena. Equitation takes over the International Arena Friday night for the George Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship presented by Alessandro Albanese. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Lamaze Proves Unbeatable with Fourth Consecutive WEF Challenge Cup Victory

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Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5. Photos © Sportfot.

Elizabeth Boyd and Dalliance Earn Championship Honors for the Second Time in the CWD Saddlery Performance Working Hunter 3’6″

Wellington, FL – January 29, 2015 – The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued its fourth week of competition on Thursday with an incredible fourth consecutive win for Canada’s Eric Lamaze in the Ruby et Violette Challenge Cup Series. One of the most competitive classes each week with a roster of top international horses and riders, Lamaze won the first two classes of the series riding Rosana du Park and earned his third and now fourth victories aboard Fine Lady 5. He rides both horses for Artisan Farms LLC.

WEF 4, sponsored by Fidelity Investments®, continues through Sunday, February 1, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. The week will feature the $372,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI-W 5*, presented by Fidelity Investments®, on Saturday, January 31. Other highlights include the $25,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Team Event, presented by the McNerney Family, on Friday, January 30, at 4 pm at The Stadium at PBIEC, and the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Classic on Sunday, February 1.

The $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase, presented by Asheville Regional Airport, will also be held on Friday and Saturday, January 30-31. The special showcase will feature some of eventing’s top horses and riders competing for phenomenal prize money in the winter equestrian capital of the world.

All three phases of the $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase, presented by Asheville Regional Airport, and Saturday night’s $372,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI-W 5*, presented by Fidelity Investments®, will be live streamed at www.COTH.com.

Thursday’s $127,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 was held as a speed class. Course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA) set the track for 72 starters with 14 clear rounds. Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 earned their victory with the fastest round of the day, clear in 63.08 seconds. Andrew Ramsay (USA) and Winn Winn finished second in 65.13 seconds. Marie Hecart (FRA) and Myself de Breve placed third in 66.41 seconds.

Fine Lady 5 is a 12-year-old Hanoverian mare by Forsyth x Drosselklang II. Lamaze paired up with the mare last spring, and together, they have won numerous classes around the world.

“She is my kind of horse. She knows why she is out there,” Lamaze said of Fine Lady. “She is competitive, she likes to fight, she is a blood horse and she was winning before I got her, so this is nothing new to her. I am just continuing what she was already doing. I’d love to take all the credit, but this is a great horse.”

Commenting on his incredible success early in the season, Lamaze stated, “I have some very good, well rested horses at the moment, and I take Florida seriously. That is why I stopped after Barcelona and let all of the horses rest, to try to come here and have them really fresh to compete. You don’t expect to win three in a row, you don’t expect to win four in a row, but when you have good, competitive horses, anything can happen. McLain (Ward) had a blistering round today. He was really, really fast and he just toed a fence off. Sometimes you just need a little luck. When you play the game at this level, and you are competitive, you need a little luck.”

“I think the way you select your horses for these events is so important,” Lamaze added. “You have to pick the right horse out of the barn. If you have the luxury of having a few, you need to pick the right one for the right class, out of the box and the one that’s fresh. We are already planning for the last few weeks of the circuit which horses we are going to use. It is all about the right planning and sometimes you can easily make a mistake and put the wrong horse at the wrong time. This year I seem to have a plan that has worked with some very talented horses. That is the secret of a long circuit like this. You need to juggle things around in a way that is going to work for you. I guess we have the recipe for Thursday right, now we just have to get it for Saturday too.”

“She is dependable when you get to the fence,” he detailed of Fine Lady’s performance. “You give her a fair chance to see where she is going and she is going to give you all she has. She is very quick across the ground and quick in the air. An oxer-vertical-vertical (triple combination) is not a difficult exercise for her, so I knew I could trust her there. I was a little wide to the skinny, but at the end she just carries natural speed.”

Even the world’s best horses and riders have their challenges every now and then, and Lamaze laughed when explaining that he almost fell off of Fine Lady in the warm-up ring this morning.

“She is laid back, but she is petrified of other horses coming towards her,” he stated. “When you are just walking on her you have to really be careful. This morning even in the FEI practice ring I almost fell off. She sees a horse coming towards her, and she is very shy about that. She has her own little way, but all the great horses all have their little quirks about them. She is a great horse.”

Lamaze and Fine Lady will now head on to contest Saturday night’s $372,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI-W 5*, presented by Fidelity Investments®. Lamaze hopes to continue their success with a Saturday night win.

In addition to Thursday’s winning portion of prize money, Lamaze was awarded the $3,000 SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” bonus for the fourth week in a row. Each week of the WEF Challenge Cup Series, a $3,000 bonus will be awarded to the winning rider if they are wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves in all rounds of competition with the SSG logo clearly visible. Lamaze has now won all four bonuses, totaling $12,000 in additional money earned.

Also showing on Thursday, Heather Caristo Williams and Holly Caristo’s Cosmopolitan 20 won the $8,000 1.45m jump-off class in the International Arena in the morning.

Elizabeth Boyd and Dalliance Earn Championship Honors for the Second Time in the CWD Saddlery Performance Working Hunter 3’6″

To kick off WEF 4, Elizabeth Boyd and Dalliance finished the day as the CWD Saddlery Performance Working Hunter 3’6″ champions. Dalliance and Boyd received three seconds and a third over fences, along with a third in the under saddle to top the field of 28 competitors.

Chablis and Peter Lutz ended the two days of competition as reserve champions in the division. Chablis, owned by Libertas Farm, showed off his winning style topping two of the over fences classes.

Dalliance and Liza Boyd
Dalliance and Liza Boyd

Last year Dalliance, owned by Avatar Real Estate of Coral Gables, FL, was competing in the jumper ring, but after teaming up with Boyd in the fall, Dalliance has become a natural in the hunters. “He’s [Dalliance] just been so consistent. He was champion of the Performance Hunters 3’3″ the first week, champion of the Performance Hunters 3’6″ the second week, took a week off and is now champion again,” Boyd smiled.

“He [Dalliance] goes in there every day and is the same. He’s really easy and has great form over the jumps. He is the type of horse that a lot of judges really like!” Boyd exclaimed.

One of the things that Dalliance had to learn, moving from the jumpers to the hunters, was slowing down through the inside turns during handy classes. While he was always able to do the challenging inside turns, he would be too quick through them. After a good handy this week, Boyd said, “He [Dalliance] did all the inside turns without dropping his shoulder or speeding up. He’s perfected that.”

While Boyd spends a lot of time showing younger horses, she is thankful for the opportunity to show Dalliance. “It’s nice to have one consistent horse. I don’t have Brunello here this year because he is really just a derby horse now, so it’s nice to have one that I can really count on,” Boyd explained.

Boyd currently has Dalliance as a sale horse, and she has enjoyed being able to show him during the beginning of the season. When talking about Dalliance’s future, Boyd said, “I think he is going to be a great Junior or Amateur Hunter. He has proven himself very well, and he is ready.”

Boyd also added, “He [Dalliance] would do derbies really well because he is super brave, doesn’t need to get in the ring in the morning and comes to work the same every day.”

If Dalliance is still with Boyd during WEF 6, she hopes to show him in the USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Hunter Spectacular.

Jumper competition continues on Friday with the $8,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m in the International Arena during the day and the $25,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Team Event, presented by the McNerney Family, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Stadium at PBIEC in the evening. Equitation will take center stage with coverage of the WIHS Equitation Hunter Phase in the Rost Arena. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Lamaze Scores a Hat Trick in Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series at the 2015 WEF

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Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5. Photos © Sportfot.

Thanks for the Gold and Peter Pletcher Top the Shapley’s Grooming Products Green Conformation Hunter Division

Wellington, FL – January 22, 2015 – Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze (CAN) is now three for three in the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Held each Thursday throughout the 12 weeks of WEF competition, Lamaze won the first two classes aboard Rosana du Park and scored his third victory in Thursday’s $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 riding Fine Lady 5. He rides both horses for Artisan Farms LLC.

Sponsored by Adequan®, WEF 3 continues at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) through Sunday, January 25. The week features the $127,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3* on Saturday, January 24. The 12-week WEF circuit continues through March 29, awarding over $8.2 million in prize money.

Course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) set the track for Thursday’s WEF Challenge Cup with 74 entries in total and eight in the jump-off. Five jumped clear over the short course, where Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 blazed through the course to win.

Richie Moloney (IRL) and Equinimity LLC’s Carrabis Z was the first pair to clear the short course in 44.09 second and finished fifth. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) and Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC’s Fibonacci 17 then flew to third place in 36.41 seconds. Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 went next to take their victory in 35.28 seconds. Alex Granato (USA) and Wood Run Farms’ Mullaghdrin Rado were close to the mark in 35.81 seconds to finish second, and Christine McCrea (USA) and Candy Tribble’s Zerly wrapped things up with the fourth place round in 38.85 seconds.

Lamaze has been on fire since the start of the WEF circuit and thanked his many talented horses and the great ownership of the Ziegler family’s Artisan Farms for his continued success this week.

“You don’t expect to win three WEF (Challenge Cup classes) in a row, even if you feel your horses are on form,” Lamaze admitted. “There were 74 starters and some of the best riders in the world and the best horses. It comes down to having a fast horse.”

“This was sort of her debut,” Lamaze said of Fine Lady 5. “I did a few smaller classes the week before just to get her ready for this week. She is a class horse, and I am really happy that the Zieglers bought her for me. Not only was I in need of a great speed horse, but she is so much more than just that. I am really lucky to have a horse like that.”

Commenting on his winning round, Lamaze detailed, “Meredith was very quick actually and with Chris McCrea behind me, I thought that I really had to go, but I would not have done it any other way. She (Fine Lady 5) loves it. She loves to be competitive. I talked with Yann (Candele) before I went in, and he said it had not been so fast. I said, ‘I’m going. I hate it halfway. If I have one down, I will be the fastest four faulter, but I’m going.'”

In the past three years, Lamaze has been slowly building up his string of horses, and acknowledged that he would not be where he is without great owners.

“It hasn’t been as easy as it may look now,” he stated. “It for sure took a lot of time to rebuild a good string of horses. There were a few mistakes along the way, but when you have great owners that support you and stay with you, success will come. The Ziegler family, Artisan Farms – they did that. It has been a long process, so this is the payoff. They are very competitive horses.”

In addition to the winning portion of prize money, Lamaze was awarded the $3,000 SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” bonus for the third week in a row. Each week of the WEF Challenge Cup Series, a $3,000 bonus will be awarded to the winning rider if they are wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves in all rounds of competition with the SSG logo clearly visible. Lamaze has now won all three bonuses, totaling $9,000 in additional money earned.

Also showing on Thursday, Ireland’s Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane topped the $8,000 1.45m jump-off class in the morning. Venezuela’s Emanuel Andrade and C. Jack Sparrow won the $2,500 High Amateur-Owner speed class.

Thanks for the Gold and Peter Pletcher Top the Shapley’s Grooming Products Green Conformation Hunter Division

Peter Pletcher and Thanks for the Gold kicked off hunter action for WEF 3 in the Shapley’s Grooming Products Green Conformation Hunters. Thanks for the Gold, owned by Rancho De Los Arboles of Oak Point, TX, topped two of the over fences classes, along with the model and under saddle, to finish the day as champions.

Also turning in consistent performances over the two days were Having Said That ridden by Kelley Farmer. The combination had a first, two seconds, and third over fences, paired with a second in the under saddle. With high ribbons both days, Glefke and Kensel’s horse, Having Said That, finished as reserve champion in the division.

Peter Pletcher and Thanks for the Gold
Peter Pletcher and Thanks for the Gold

Thanks for the Gold is an eight-year-old Hanoverian stallion that has been under the training of Pletcher for the past year. When Pletcher first started riding Thanks for the Gold, he competed in 3’3″ hunter classes and focused on putting good training on the horse. “Middle way to the end of last year he [Thanks for the Gold] started winning a lot in the 3’3″ Performance Hunters, and I was excited to come and try the 3’6″ with him,” Pletcher explained.

On the way to the championship prize, Thanks for the Gold won a challenging handy round. “It was a tough course. There were really tight turns that he [Thanks for the Gold] did super slick,” Pletcher said.

While complimenting the difficult handy course, Pletcher also commented, “All in all I think the courses have been really great.”

With Thanks for the Gold only competing a few times in the 3’6″ hunters, Pletcher is excited about the strong start. Smiling, Pletcher said, “He [Thanks for the Gold] has done nothing but make us super happy with his effort so far!”

After a championship performance this week, Thanks for the Gold will take next week off. However, Pletcher is looking forward to returning to the show ring with Thanks for the Gold in the remaining weeks of competition at WEF.

Week three of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival continues on Friday with the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m speed class featured in the International Arena. The Forre Fine Art Low Adult Amateur Hunter 2’6″ Section A will be featured in the Rost Arena. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Lamaze Continues Hot Streak at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival

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Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5. Photos © Sportfot.

Say When and Danielle Baran Unbeatable in Triple Crown Blankets Adult Amateur Hunters 36-49

Wellington, FL – January 16, 2015 – The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued on Friday with the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge featured in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. Continuing his top form throughout the first two weeks of the circuit, Canada’s Eric Lamaze raced to victory aboard Artisan Farms LLC’s Fine Lady 5 over teammate Tiffany Foster and Artisan Farms’ Melody des Hayettes Z.

Sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty, the week’s competition continues through Sunday, January 18, featuring the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI 2* on Saturday, January 17. The “Saturday Night Lights” event will stream live online beginning at 7 p.m. on The Chronicle of the Horse website at http://bit.ly/1AgguDe.

The Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series will also get underway with its first two competitions of the circuit this week. The $10,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Welcome will be held on Saturday, January 17. The $25,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, will be held on Sunday, January 18. WEF features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 29, awarding over $8.2 million in prize money.

Luc Musette of Belgium set the track for Friday’s Speed Challenge with 75 starters and 12 clear rounds. Ireland’s Richie Moloney took an early lead with Equinimity LLC’s Carina in 70.55 seconds and eventually finished sixth. About 30 rounds later, Venezuela’s Emanuel Andrade and Nokia de Brekka upped the ante in 66.36 seconds and ended up third. Darragh Kenny (IRL) immediately followed with the fifth place time of 67.99 seconds aboard Eva Castegren’s Cicomein VDL.

Tiffany Foster came along several rounds further and briefly took the lead in 64.86 seconds with Melody des Hayettes Z, but settled for second in the end. Julie Welles (USA) then jumped into fourth place aboard Missy Clark and Stephex Stables’ Twan in 66.71 seconds. With three left to go, Eric Lamaze breezed through the course aboard Fine Lady 5 to knock out the competition in 62.64 seconds to earn his fourth major win of the early season.

Things got off to a great start for Lamaze with a win in the very first class of the WEF circuit, an $8,000 1.45m speed competition, with Check Picobello Z. He then topped back-to-back WEF Challenge Cup classes in weeks one and two aboard Rosana du Park.

Lamaze spoke recently about how great his up-and-coming horses are this season in addition to his more experienced mounts such as Fine Lady 5. The 12-year-old Hanoverian mare (Forsyth x Drosselklang II) came out for the first time on Wednesday after a nice rest, and Lamaze noted that she felt fresh and ready to go for the winning round on Friday. With lots of experience and wins all over the world, including a standout first season with Lamaze in 2014, the class was really just a nice school for the speedy mare in preparation for next week.

“Fine Lady had a great year last year,” Lamaze detailed after his win. “Artisan Farms bought her really as a 1.50m speed horse and she ended up doing way more. She was third in Chantilly in the Global Champions Tour. She jumped incredible most places and she is going to be my lead horse here for the next two weeks, for next week and the World Cup week, so she is definitely more than we bought.”

“She felt great today,” Lamaze acknowledged. “She (will compete in) the WEF (Challenge Cup) and the grand prix (next week), and I am away on Wednesday, so this was her last class before I put her in the WEF. Normally in a show, I would always do a speed class the first day and then a big class, so this was kind of her speed class prior to that. Normally I wouldn’t necessarily run her in a class like this, but because I am missing Wednesday, I thought this would be a good opportunity for her. She likes going fast, and it is good for her to go fast before jumping a bigger class.”

Commenting on his winning round, Lamaze explained, “I didn’t watch anybody to be honest. I think a lot of people are just schooling their horses in these classes, but for me that was the way of schooling her, was to go fast. I didn’t even walk the fast track, I just know her well and I know the speed that she has to carry to start feeling comfortable. She gets a little bit aggressive herself at the fences. She is like a race car. She is just so quick.”

Lamaze also praised another great track from Musette, stating, “Luc is doing a great job all week long. I think this was a speed course that was nice to school a horse, but also educational if you were moving up a young horse. I think the courses have been great. These classes are really for a younger horse to move up, an older horse to prep himself, and some really have legit 1.40m speed horses that they decide to compete, so it opens the door for all kinds of horses.”

Musette concluded the day with a $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class with 58 starters and 15 qualifying for the jump-off. Molly Ashe-Cawley (USA) and Louisburg Farm’s Balous Day Date were the winners with the fastest of six double clear rounds in 38.95 seconds. Laura Chapot (USA) finished second in 39.14 seconds riding Mary Chapot’s Umberto.

Say When and Danielle Baran Unbeatable in Triple Crown Blankets Adult Amateur Hunters 36-49

Traveling from Toronto, Canada, Danielle Baran and her horse Say When were the WEF 2 Triple Crown Blankets Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 champions. Baran rode Say When to four over fences victories over the two days of competition.

Reserve Champion honors went to Ashley Whitner and her own Larkspur. The combination was second in three of the four over fences classes.

Say When and Danielle Baran
Say When and Danielle Baran

Baran bought Say When as he was turning four years old, after trainer Chris Sorensen felt it would be a good fit. “We [Baran and Sorensen] brought him [Say When] along from scratch and he’s been really great because we have put all the miles on him ourselves, and I’ve been able to get used to him over time,” Baran explained.

The time Baran and Sorensen put into Say When has paid off. Earning championship honors in the Adult Amateur Hunters for the second week in a row, Say When is proving he was worth the wait. Say When has also had success in professional divisions. In 2014, Say When competed in the USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Hunter Spectacular and was the Canadian Hunter Derby Champion.

While shining in the show ring, Say When also loves being in the spotlight at home. “Say When is a total ham. (He) can’t get enough kisses and cookies,” Baran smiled. “We have been careful not to spoil him too much to make sure he still does his job in the ring.”

Already off to a great start, Baran is looking forward to the remaining weeks. Baran hopes to work her way up to the Amateur-Owner Hunter division later in the season as well as watching Say When in some of the hunter derbies. “He [Say When] will dabble in the professional divisions and do some of the derbies,” Sorensen commented.

Avoiding the cold winter in Canada, Baran is living in Wellington with her four horses for the rest of the season. Currently Baran is competing with three of her horses in the Adult Amateur Hunters and helping bring along another young one. “It’s a full time job,” Baran laughed about her busy horse schedule.

Week two of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival continues on Saturday with the $10,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Welcome in the morning and the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI 2* in the evening beginning at 7 p.m. Hunter action continues in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring with the FarmVet Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3″ 36 and Over. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park Win 2nd Round of Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series

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Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park. Photos © Sportfot.

A Million Reasons and Scott Stewart Jump to the Top in Wrenwood Farms High Performance Working Hunters

Wellington, FL – January 15, 2015 – Canada’s Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park are now two for two in this year’s Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). After winning the $25,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 1 in the first week of competition, the pair stepped up to win Thursday’s $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 in week two at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.

Sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty, the week’s competition continues through Sunday, January 18, featuring the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI 2* on Saturday, January 17. The Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series will also get underway with its first two competitions of the circuit. The $10,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Welcome will be held on Saturday, January 17. The $25,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, will be held on Sunday, January 18. WEF features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 29, awarding over $8.2 million in prize money.

Luc Musette of Belgium set the track for Thursday’s $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 in the International Arena at PBIEC with 73 entries and 13 clear rounds. Twelve of those moved on to the jump-off, where ten jumped double clear.

Kent Farrington (USA) and Amalaya Investments’ Waomi were first to go and set a blistering pace in 40.92 seconds, but were pushed from the lead moments later when Lamaze and Artisan Farms LLC’s Rosana du Park raced through the timers in 39.78 seconds. The time proved unbeatable, but Ian Millar (CAN) gave it his best effort.

Millar cleared the course in 40.75 seconds with Ariel and Susan Grange’s Dixson to take second place, pushing Farrington into third. Laura Chapot (USA) and Mary Chapot’s ISHD Dual Star jumped into fourth place in 41.60 seconds. Last to go, McLain Ward (USA) and Double H Farm’s HH Cannavaro grabbed fifth place honors with their time of 41.66 seconds.

Commenting on another winning round with Rosana du Park, Lamaze stated, “Kent was really, really fast as an opening ride, so it just sort of answered all of the questions when you had to go for it. She is naturally so quick in the air, and she was very dependable in the rollback. I was very lucky to not only turn tight after the second to last fence, but I had a very forward distance to the oxer, which I think is where I made up a bit of time.”

“When a horse is good and they are careful, everything suits them,” Lamaze said of the ten-year-old Selle Francais mare (by Kannan). “I think she is very competitive. I can ask her to go fast on a straight line or turn very sharp to anything and she gives 100%, so she is a great mare and she is going to win a lot.”

Lamaze also spoke of the day’s course set by Luc Musette, declaring, “Luc is an incredible course designer. We see a lot of him in Europe. To build these types of classes with that many in it and be restricted to 1.45m I think is very difficult. He had 13 clear, so he really got the right number. It felt bigger than 1.45m. When I walked it I thought it was a nice course, but it ended up riding quite a bit bigger because of the lines, and it was full of options everywhere. A lot of riders took different options. People were trying to solve the puzzle with their own ability with their horse, so it made it interesting.”

In week one, Lamaze and Rosana du Park won the WEF Challenge Cup out of 45 entries. This week the challenge increased to 73 entries in search of bigger prize money and FEI World Ranking points. The class was one out of 48 ranking classes throughout the circuit.

In addition to the winning portion of prize money, Lamaze was awarded the $3,000 SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” bonus for the second week in a row. Each week of the WEF Challenge Series, a $3,000 bonus will be awarded to the winning rider if they are wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves in all rounds of competition with the SSG logo clearly visible.

Lamaze now heads on to Saturday night’s $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI 2* with Rosana du Park and hopes to continue his already winning season.

Also showing in the International Arena on Thursday, Venezuela took the top two places in the $8,000 1.45m jump-off class in the morning. Forty-seven showed with 15 clear rounds to jump-off and four double clears. Pablo Barrios and ZL Group, Inc.’s Zara Leandra were the winners in 40.23 seconds. Emanuel Andrade and AD Clouwni finished second in 40.93 seconds.

Andrade also won the High Amateur-Owner Jumper class aboard Sothis d’Ouilly with the fastest of 12 clear rounds out of 53 entries in 61.05 seconds. Catherine Tyree and Don’t Go finished second in 61.65 seconds.

A Million Reasons and Scott Stewart Jump to the Top in the Wrenwood Farms High Performance Working Hunters

For the second week in a row Dr. Betsee Parker’s A Million Reasons, ridden by Scott Stewart, has taken home championship honors in the Wrenwood Farms High Performance Working Hunters. This was A Million Reasons’ second show in the High Performance Working Hunters, having done the Second Year Green Hunters last year. “She [A Million Reasons] is a really good jumper – a great mover, beautiful, big stride. She’s like the perfect hunter,” Stewart said.

Scott Stewart and A Million Reasons
Scott Stewart and A Million Reasons

The pair turned in only top performances over the two days of competition. A Million Reasons won the handy round and the stake, along with two seconds over fences and a second in the under saddle.

Fifty Shades, owned by Meredith Lipke and shown by Sandra Ferrell, ended the day as reserve champion. Staying consistent over both days, the pair had two thirds and a first over fences and won the under saddle.

“Of course I have a soft spot in my heart for mares,” Parker smiled while holding her championship prize.

Parker was “thrilled” with A Million Reasons today. Having only owned the mare since October, Parker has a lot to smile about. Earning the Second Year Green Working Hunter championship at the National Horse Show, A Million Reasons has stayed in championship shape to start out the winter season.

“She [A Million Reasons] always surprises me! I’m always frightened when she goes in the ring,” Parker Laughed. “She has a very quiet, slow pace, but then she jumps way up in the air and way wide across the jump and she thrills you!”

While praising her horse, Parker also commented on the strong combination that Stewart and A Million Reasons make. “She [A Million Reasons] treats Scott [Stewart] like she’s his boyfriend. She loves him!” Parker exclaimed.

A Million Reasons is just as comfortable at home as she is in the show ring. Parker explained, “She is always quiet and relaxed. She is like a big puppy dog.”

After back-to-back championship weeks, A Million Reasons is going to take next week off and return to the show ring during WEF week 4. Focusing on the High Performance Working Hunters this season, Stewart plans for A Million Reasons to have a light winter.

Week two of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival continues on Friday with the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge featured in the International Arena at PBIEC. Hunter coverage continues with the Triple Crown Blankets Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 in the Rost Arena. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488

Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze Goes Two for Two in $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series

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Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park. Photo by Starting Gate Communications.

Wellington, Florida – It was a case of déjà vu as Canada’s Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park stood in the winner’s circle following the $30,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round II on Thursday, January 15 at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. The pair had enjoyed exactly the same result one week earlier in the opening round of the 12-week WEF Challenge Cup Series.

For their second win, Lamaze and Rosana du Park were up against 72 other entries. A total of 13 found their way to a clear round over the track set by course designer Luc Musette of Belgium. Lamaze and Rosana du Park were only the second pair back to challenge the shortened jump-off course. Much like a week earlier when he had been the first one back for the jump-off, Lamaze once again set a blistering pace of 39.78 seconds and left it up to the rest of the field to try to catch him. None who followed were able to post a time under 40 seconds, with Lamaze’s long-time Canadian teammate, Ian Millar of Perth, ON, coming closest with a time of 40.75 seconds for second place riding Dixson. Kent Farrington of the United States took third after crossing the timers in 40.92 seconds with Waomi.

“We knew we had to go for it, but she is naturally so quick in the air and dependable in the roll-backs,” said Lamaze of Schomberg, ON of his jump-off strategy with Rosana du Park. “When a horse is good and they’re careful, everything suits them. To be honest, I think she is very competitive. I can ask her to go fast in a straight line, or turn very sharp to anything, and she gives 100%. I think she is a great mare and is going to win a lot.”

Rosana du Park, a 10-year-old bay Selle Francais mare (Kannan x Quinine de Livoye), was purchased at the end of 2012 by Artisan Farms LLC in partnership Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable. Following two years of careful and deliberate development, including being campaigned by Torrey Pines Stable rider Carly Anthony, Rosana du Park is now stepping up to the grand prix ranks.

“Carlene and I are thrilled with today’s win,” said Andy Ziegler, who owns Artisan Farms LLC with his wife, Carlene. “Eric and his team have done an extraordinary job bringing Rosana along, and it is nice to see the results of their hard work.”

In addition to his win in the $30,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round II, Lamaze also claimed a $3,000 bonus for the second week in a row in the SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” promotion for wearing SSG ‘Digital’ riding gloves on his way to victory.

The pair of wins signals good things to come for Lamaze on the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival circuit. With a stable full of top horses, there is no doubt that Lamaze will soon make another trip to the winner’s circle.

“I came to this circuit with fantastic horses,” said Lamaze. “I have some new upcoming horses that are now ready to perform like Rosana and Check Picobello Z. I have a new stallion still in quarantine, Houston, that I think a lot of that is going to be coming out in a couple of weeks. Fine Lady is going to make her debut next week. And Powerplay and Zigali are still in the barn!

“I planned this,” continued the 2008 Olympic Champion. “I stopped my season after Barcelona (at the beginning of October) to rest some horses, and tried to arrive here with fresh horses. So far, it’s paid off. I have to thank Carlene and Andy Ziegler for their support.”

With two major victories under their belt, Lamaze and Rosana du Park will next compete in Saturday night’s $50,000 CSI2* Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix under the lights.

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

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park Win $25,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 1

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Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park. Photos © Sportfot.

Elizabeth Boyd and Ghostwriter Top Equine Tack and Nutritionals First Year Green Hunter Section A

Wellington, FL – January 8, 2015 – The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) hosted it second day of competition on Thursday at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, with the second win of the circuit for Canadian Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze. After winning the first class of the circuit in Wednesday’s 1.45m speed class with Check Picobello Z, Lamaze topped Thursday’s $25,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 1 aboard Artisan Farms LLC’s Rosana du Park. The 12-week WEF circuit runs through March 29, 2015, awarding over $8.2 million in prize money.

Eric Hasbrouck (USA) is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week one competition and set another great track for Thursday’s Challenge Cup class. Forty-five entries showed in round one with nine advancing to the jump-off and four double clear rounds. Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park were first to go in the jump-off and put the pressure on with a clear round in 38.18 seconds that would hold on for the win.

Darragh Kerins (IRL) and Jan Van Tricht’s D Elia van het Molenhof finished second in 38.47 seconds. Ian Millar (CAN) and The Baranus Group’s Baranus placed third in 39.13 seconds, and Denise Wilson (USA) and Blue Gate Farm LLC’s Quidam’s Hero finished fourth in 43.39 seconds. Leslie Howard and The Utah Group’s Utah had the fastest time in 37.91 seconds, but dropped a rail at the second to last fence to finish fifth.

Rosana du Park, a ten-year-old Selle Francais mare (Kannan), competed in Wellington last season with rider Carly Anthony and Lamaze took over the ride in Chantilly over the summer. She is a horse that Lamaze has high hopes for this winter.

“Rosana as well as Check Picobello Z are horses that we bought young to hopefully become great horses in the future, and I think we have achieved that,” Lamaze stated. “Rosana was ridden by Carly Anthony last year, and she brought her along fantastic for me. She gave her such great mileage with great confidence. The mare is now ready to do whatever you ask of her. Picobello is also an outstanding young horse. I am pretty fortunate for this Winter Equestrian Festival that I have fresh older horses and I have upcoming young ones that are ready to really start doing some big things, so I am very well mounted.”

In Thursday’s jump-off, Lamaze and Rosana went first and held onto the lead with some top horses and riders still to come. Lamaze knew he had to be fast to force the other riders to catch him.

“All of the classes are very competitive here. I don’t care if they are two-star, national, or anything, as you see, this jump-off was still fast enough,” he commented. “I think I went quite fast being first in the ring. I think the time was beatable. Some riders came close and some riders had the time with four faults, but I think as an opening WEF class I was happy with my plan. At the end it paid off.”

Describing Rosana’s ride, Lamaze explained, “She is very hunter like. She doesn’t really like to go in a frame or be held together. She is one of those horses where you just let her nose poke up a little bit and give her a little balance and she takes care of the fences. She is really a careful mare. She wants to overachieve if anything. She has a canter that you can just stay in balance and canter along. It’s not a really complicated ride.”

With his second win of the week, Lamaze praised this week’s course designer, stating, “I think Eric Hasbrouck is doing a fantastic job. He is giving us some great opening lines to the courses. They start easy from the beginning and then get very technical as you go around. The time allowed has been short enough that it makes the course quite difficult, but it is really fair. I think for the opening week we could not have asked for a better course designer. Every class starts with a long line or a seven stride. At the beginning of the season that is what you need. We don’t need anything too severe, but it is challenging and the horses are learning, so great credit to him.”

Rosana du Park will now compete in Sunday’s $30,000 WEF 1 Grand Prix while Check Picobello Z will do Saturday’s $25,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic.

In addition to the winning portion of prize money, Lamaze was awarded the $3,000 SSG Gloves “Go Clean for the Green” bonus. Each week of the WEF Challenge Series, a $3,000 bonus will be awarded to the winning rider if they are wearing SSG ‘Digital’ Riding Gloves in all rounds of competition with the SSG logo clearly visible.

Also competing in the International Arena on Thursday, Ireland’s Conor Swail won the $8,000 1.45m jump-off class aboard Simba de la Roque, owned by Sarl Ecurie Sens O Riel. The class saw 33 rounds with 16 in the jump-off and eight double clear rounds. Swail finished in 38.01 seconds, just ahead of Laura Chapot and Mary Chapot’s ISHD Dual Star, who placed second in 38.62 seconds.

The High Amateur-Owner Jumpers also got a chance to jump in the International Arena in the afternoon with a win in their first speed class for Emanuel Andrade and Anker. Kelsey Thatcher and Pony Lane Farm’s Athena finished second.

Liza Boyd and Ghostwriter
Liza Boyd and Ghostwriter

Elizabeth Boyd and Ghostwriter Top Equine Tack and Nutritionals First Year Green Hunter Section A

Elizabeth Boyd and Ghostwriter topped both classes today in the Equine Tack and Nutritionals First Year Green Hunters to claim the section A championship. Ghostwriter, owned by Madeline Thatcher and Pony Lane Farm of Bluffdale, Utah, also finished first yesterday in the handy hunter round.

The Section B champion was Kelley Farmer riding David Glefke and Kensel, LLC’s Mindset. Farmer and Mindset finished third in both classes today and won the under saddle and an over fences class yesterday.

With two second place finishes today, Amy Guth’s Bossa Nova, ridden by Louise Serio, ended up as reserve champion of section A. La Bonita, ridden by Scott Stewart and owned by David Gochman, was the reserve champion of section B. The pair finished first and fourth over fences and took home second in the under saddle.

Ghostwriter, an eight-year-old gelding, is a new mount for Boyd after being purchased four days ago from Lane Change Farm. Not only is Ghostwriter new to Boyd, but new to the United States. Having only been here for a little over a month, this was only his second show and he is already off to a great start.

Highlighting Boyd and Ghostwriter’s championship performance was their winning handy round. Boyd explained, “They gave some really great options, and I was able to really go for it in the handy making the inside turns.”

Boyd went on to say that she felt comfortable going into the handy round after talking to Farmer. Farmer had practiced handy elements with Ghostwriter at home and knew he was ready to do it in the ring.

Thatcher is currently a student at Clemson University in South Carolina and will come next week to show her horse in the younger amateur owners. With Thatcher away at school, Boyd was excited to be able to show Ghostwriter this week. After a great first performance, Boyd said, “He [Ghostwriter] is going to be really super in the amateur-owner (division) and the derbies.”

Farmer, who previously rode Ghostwriter, was all smiles as she watched her horse shine with a new rider. “When my horses get to go somewhere else and go like that, it’s a good day,” exclaimed Farmer.

Following a successful start to a 2015 season, Boyd also commented, “The footing felt amazing, and the jumps were beautiful.”

The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival continues on Friday with the $6,000 Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off featured in the International Arena and the conclusion of the Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 division in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com or www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze and Check Picobello Z Earn First Win of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival

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Eric Lamaze and Check Picobello Z. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 7, 2015 – The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) kicked off with its first day of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL on Wednesday and a win for Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze in the first class of the day. Lamaze and the nine-year-old Zangersheide gelding Check Picobello Z (Cardento x Orlando) jumped to victory in the morning’s $8,000 1.45m speed class over Adrienne Sternlicht and S&L Slingback. The 12-week WEF circuit runs through March 29, 2015, awarding over $8.2 million in prize money.

Eric Hasbrouck (USA) is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week one competition. He began the day with twelve entries in the 1.45m speed class with five clear rounds. Eric Lamaze set the pace with the first clear round aboard Artisan Farms LLC’s Rosana du Park in 71.56 seconds to eventually place fourth. Marie Hecart (FRA) jumped next to earn the fifth place time with Rogelio Pellerano’s Quatour de B Neville in 77.67 seconds. Leslie Howard (USA) briefly took over the lead in 71.32 seconds to finish third aboard her own Moondoggie. Adrienne Sternlicht upped the pace with Starlight Farms LLC’s S&L Slingback in 71.28 seconds to place second. Last to go, Lamaze took the win with Check Picobello Z in 68.88 seconds.

Owned by Artisan Farms LLC and Torrey Pines Stable, Lamaze explained that Check Picobello Z was purchased as a six coming seven-year-old from Ilan Ferder and is moving into the next level this season after a few years of careful development.

“I was crazy about this horse from the beginning,” Lamaze stated. “When I got him he was a little bit of a difficult horse in his mouth, but his instinct and the carefulness and everything else was there, so I really took my time. I had a plan with this horse from the beginning and I stuck to it. I did the right amount of shows every year and did the right height and everything and this season he is ready to go. He will be one of my top horses this year for sure.”

Check Picobello Z had a successful summer in 2014 with a great tour in the 1.45m FEI classes at Spruce Meadows as well as top finishes in the young horse classes in Aachen. He then had the rest of the year off and is coming back fresh for the winter.

“I felt he had enough mileage and the only thing left to do now is go jump big fences,” Lamaze explained. “Our plan was to start him here early, give him some classes, and then produce him as my main horse, so it was a perfect start to the season.”

“He is very intelligent,” the rider described. “He is so intelligent that he never thinks he is in trouble, so he can be a little difficult in the mouth, but in his head it is never a problem. For the rider sometimes you feel like, ‘If you would just let me ride you a little bit better,’ but he is really intelligent and a great personality. He loves to compete, and he has all the right reactions of a great horse.”

In Wednesday’s class, Lamaze went first with the ten-year-old Selle Francais mare Rosana du Park (Kannan), who competed last season with rider Carly Anthony.

“We give Carly a few young horses to bring along for us, and she had some fantastic results with the mare,” Lamaze detailed. “I took over riding her in Chantilly this year. Some horses are good, but they are well served being brought up by a rider who is going to give them all the experience in the world. This mare had all the mileage with Carly, and I felt she was ready to compete. That is also a horse that I am going to use as my main horse this year.”

Following his winning round, Lamaze also spoke about the morning’s speed track, stating, “It is the opening day. I think it was fair. Eric Hasbrouck is a very good course designer. He was a great rider himself, so I think he knows what an opening day at a show should be. I always feel that there are great course designers that haven’t ridden in a while or maybe never rode, but the ones that have ridden and not long ago, it seems to me that they are more sensitive to what the sport needs and what to set up on a day like today or a difficult week when perhaps it is only a two-star but you have five-star riders with five-star horses. It is difficult to build, but I always find that the course designers who have recently ridden are very sensitive and always understand.”

As week one continues, Rosana du Park will compete again in Thursday’s $25,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup. Check Picobello Z will either compete in Saturday’s $25,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic or Sunday’s $30,000 WEF 1 Grand Prix.

“These are my one-two horses for the next two weeks,” Lamaze explained. “Then I have Fine Lady that is coming out and some others. I have a great group of horses this year. I rested them all. I didn’t compete after Barcelona. Normally the older horses would have gone on to Geneva and now they would start their rest. I decided not to follow that fall circuit, so I am arriving with my older horses fresh and my young horses ready to go, so for me it is the perfect winter.”

Also competing in the International Arena on Wednesday, Heather Caristo Williams and M/M Ralph Caristo’s Balou’s Fly High earned a win in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40 speed class with the fastest of 16 clear rounds out of 74 entries. Laura Chapot and Mary Chapot’s Zealous finished second.

Ali Wolff and John C. Wolff’s Brianda jumped to victory in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off competition. With 65 entries, 20 advanced to the immediate jump-off, where 13 went double clear. Tiffany Foster and Artisan Farms LLC’s Brighton finished second.

The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival continues with its second day of competition on Thursday featuring the $25,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup in the International Arena at 1 p.m. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com or www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488

Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze Gives Insider’s View on Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’

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Rolex testimonee Eric Lamaze competes at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ tournament in Calgary, Alberta. Photo Credit – Kit Houghton/Rolex.

Calgary, Alberta – Canadian Olympic Champion and Rolex Testimonee Eric Lamaze gave guests an insider’s view to the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ tournament in Calgary, AB. The five-day show jumping tournament is running September 10-14, and culminates in the $1.5 million CP International, presented by Rolex, on Sunday afternoon.

Despite the rainy conditions, guests soaked in the knowledge Lamaze shared during a guided course walk of Friday’s $210,000 Tourmaline Oil Cup in the International Ring. Lamaze explained the challenges that both horse and rider face when jumping a track of fences, measuring 1.60m in height, set by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. Lamaze paid particular attention to the liverpool fence with a water tray set on the backside; the Beijing wall from the 2008 Olympic Games that played a pivotal role in his own gold medal victory; and the final Rolex vertical, which featured very light poles that could oh-so-easily be knocked from the shallow jump cups.

The fences will be even more intricate for Sunday’s $1.5 million CP International, presented by Rolex. The grand finale is part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping which brings together three of the greatest events in the world – CHIO Aachen, CSIO Calgary and CHI Geneva, offering an unprecedented €1 million in bonus money to any rider who can win all three Grand Prix events in succession. Having won in Aachen in July, Christian Ahlmann of Germany is the current live contender in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

“When the Rolex Grand Slam was formed, with the bonus being offered, it changed our sport,” said Lamaze of Schomberg, ON. “A few years ago, if a Grand Prix was $200,000, it was a big deal to us. Now, this is the top of our sport, and I think any rider will tell you that it would mean a lot in their career to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.”

Based in Belgium and spending the winter season in Wellington, Florida, Spruce Meadows is currently the only Canadian venue where Lamaze competes. And with good reason: Lamaze is the all-time leading money winner at Spruce Meadows, having won more than $4.1 million to date. He’ll look to increase his lead even further throughout this week’s ‘Masters’ competition, where Rolex has been the official timekeeper since 1989.

“Spruce Meadows is unique,” said Lamaze. “They have never changed the tradition here. There is nothing else like it from the organizational side of it. The people around these grounds are so helpful and are so giving of their time to make Spruce Meadows what it is.

“This arena is magical on the weekend when there are 60,000 people here; as a rider it is such a special moment to hear the crowd cheer,” continued Lamaze, who won the 2007 and 2011 editions of the $1.5 million CP International, presented by Rolex, with the great Hickstead. “It is also a facility that is unique in the sense that a young rider can be doing a 1.20m class in another ring. They are not only competing during the ‘Masters’, but they also get to watch the best riders in the world. It brings a lot of people together and, in the end, everyone comes together to watch this incredible weekend unfold.”

Whatever the weekend holds, top sport is guaranteed at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Competitions, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze Opens Spruce Meadows “Masters” with a Win

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Eric Lamaze opened the Spruce Meadows “Masters” tournament with a win riding Fine Lady 5. Photo Credit – Noelle Floyd.

Calgary, Alberta – 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze opened the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows “Masters” tournament with a win in the $50,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup on Thursday, September 12, in Calgary, AB.

When a freak snow storm forced the cancelation of Wednesday’s competition, organizers worked tirelessly to prepare the show grounds for Thursday. Competition went off without a hitch, with Lamaze, riding Fine Lady 5, an 11-year-old bay Hanoverian mare (Forsyth x Drosselklang II), topping an international starting field of 35 entries. Owner Artisan Farms LLC purchased Fine Lady 5 in April of this year, and Lamaze and the mare enjoyed three victories during the Spruce Meadows Summer Series held in June and July.

With a win in the $50,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup, Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 made it four victories so far this year at the famed Calgary venue. Held in a speed format that sees the fastest time win, Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 laid down a time of 55.44 seconds to take over the lead from Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts, who had stopped the clock in 56.90 riding Cortez.

“The conditions yesterday looked a little doubtful for jumping today, but they did a fantastic job preparing the arena and today we saw top sport,” said Lamaze. “Fine Lady is a very good mare. She’s very careful, and she’s super quick without even thinking about being fast. When a horse is naturally fast, it makes your life a lot easier!”

On Saturday, Lamaze will ride as a member of the Canadian Team in the $300,000 BMO Nations’ Cup. Joining him are his 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games teammates Tiffany Foster of Vancouver, BC, and Ian Millar of Perth, ON, as well as 20-year-old Ben Asselin of Calgary, AB. Lamaze has selected Zigali P S as his mount for the team event, marking the horse’s second Nations’ Cup appearance following last week’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.

“He’s fresh off the World Equestrian Games; he learned a lot there, and I think he’s ready to jump well,” said Lamaze of the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Kigali x STB-H Palfrenier).

The Spruce Meadows “Masters” tournament concludes on Sunday with the grand finale, the $1.5 million CP International, presented by Rolex.

“This is the Super Bowl of show jumping,” said Lamaze, a Rolex testimonee. “There is nothing like it anywhere in the world, with the Nations’ Cup on Saturday and the Grand Prix on Sunday. The crowd here gets to see two unbelievable events and we, as riders, really love it.

“The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has brought some extra zip to the sport,” continued Lamaze of the series comprised of the grand prix events at Aachen, Germany, Calgary, Canada, and Geneva, Switzerland. “We are all excited for the weekend!”

Exactly three years ago, Lamaze and Hickstead enjoyed what would be their final victory together, claiming the 2011 edition of the $1.5 million CP International, presented by Rolex, at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” for the second time in their illustrious career.

Lamaze has already claimed two major grand prix victories in 2014. On May 18, he won the €200,000 Grand Prix of La Baule, France, riding Powerplay and, one week later, emerged victorious in the €200,000 Grand Prix of Rome with Zigali P S. Both horses are owned by Carlene and Andy Ziegler’s Artisan Farms, based in Vrasene, Belgium, and Wellington, Florida.

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

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca