Tag Archives: Eric Lamaze

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 Top LaFarge Cup at Spruce Meadows

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Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Darragh Kenny and Wilton Porter Win 1.45m Jump-Offs

Calgary, AB, Canada – July 4, 2014 – The Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ Tournament continued with wins for two of this summer’s top riders as well as an exciting first for a young up-and-comer in the International Ring on Friday. Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Fine Lady 5 topped the $50,000 LaFarge Cup 1.50m, Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Chin Quidam VDL won the $33,500 Pepsi Challenge 1.45m, and Wilton Porter (USA) and Diamonte Darco were victorious in the $33,500 Friends of the Meadows Jumper 1.45m.

Watch highlights from Friday’s competition!

The ‘North American’ Tournament continues through July 6, featuring the $210,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Saturday and the $210,000 Cenovus Energy Classic 1.50m Derby on Sunday.

Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela is the course designer in the International Ring for the week and set some challenging tracks on Friday. In the $50,000 LaFarge Cup, Palacios saw 25 entries with five clear rounds to advance to the jump-off. Eric Lamaze and Artisan Farms LLC’s Fine Lady 5 got the win with the only double clear round in 53.16 seconds. Richie Moloney (IRL) and Equinimity LLC’s Freestyle de Muze were clear over the jumps and finished with one time fault in 57.68 seconds. McLain Ward (USA) and his own and Susan Heller’s d’Ulien van de Smeets had the fastest jump-off time of 46.63 seconds, but incurred four faults to finish third.

Lamaze and Fine Lady 5, the 11-year-old Hanoverian mare by Forsyth x Hauptstutbuch, are already on their third international victory this summer in a brand new partnership that solidified quickly.

“I didn’t know her very much before I came here, so I really got to know her on this summer tour,” Lamaze stated. “What I found out about her is that she is absolutely 100% reliable. She really wants to stay off the fences. She gets a little excited and moves right to left very quickly sometimes, so it took me a little bit to adjust to her, but she’s a total class horse for the 1.50m division. Who knows what else is in the future for her, but at this height I feel like I’m on the very best horse I can have for this.”

Fine Lady came to Artisan Farms when Lamaze needed a horse to fill the 1.50m speed classes in his string of top mounts, and the purchase has proved to be an excellent investment. Although they have only done a few jump-off rounds together, Lamaze knew he could trust his horse completely.

“It was wide open, and she’s really careful,” he stated. “The double was the trick to jump after the long gallop from one to two. I knew if McLain was to be clear, I was going to have a harder night. He had an unfortunate four faults, so things became a little bit easier. With one time fault to beat, I felt pretty good about things, but you never know about things in this sport. You could have the first jump down, the last fence, a light rub and it comes down. It’s not because all you have to do is go clear that it works every single time. I’m very happy with the result. I felt that I was on the right horse to accomplish this mission.”

“The great thing about this mare is that she is really fast, and she goes fast, but you can always push,” Lamaze added. “That’s why she is so good. Great horses, it doesn’t matter how fast you get to the fence, if they’re asking for leg when you get there, they are very competitive horses. In the jump-off tonight, I didn’t really have to hold her back. She always asks for more leg. I just sort of maintained a rhythm that I thought would be under the time allowed, and that’s all I had to do.”

After another great win, Lamaze looks forward to jumping Fine Lady 5 in Saturday’s $85,000 TD Cup 1.50m. He will also compete in the $210,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup 1.60m with Powerplay.

Darragh Kenny and Chin Quidam VDL
Darragh Kenny and Chin Quidam VDL

Kenny Can’t Be Beat

Ireland’s Darragh Kenny continued an incredible summer at Spruce Meadows with another win on Friday afternoon, this time taking the $33,500 Pepsi Challenge 1.45m aboard Hyperion Stud LLC’s Chin Quidam VDL, an eight-year-old KWPN stallion by Chin Chin x Quidam de Revel. Including Friday’s win, Kenny has now had eight individual FEI victories over the course of four weeks at Spruce Meadows as well as a team Nations Cup win for Ireland.

In Friday’s Pepsi Challenge, course designer Leopoldo Palacios set the track for 42 entries and saw 10 advance to the jump-off with four double clear rounds. Eric Lamaze went first over the short course with Artisan Farms LLC’s Check Picobello Z in 39.78 seconds, but Kenny stole the lead with Chin Quidam VDL in 35.63 seconds a few rounds later. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) then moved into second with Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Mimosa in 36.97 seconds. Last to go, Leslie Howard (USA) went for the clear round in 40.87 seconds with Moormann, Rolf u. Paul Schockemohle’s Balboa 6 to finish fourth. Frances Land (USA) had the time in hand with Vieanne in 35.21 seconds, but had four faults at the final fence to place fifth.

“I didn’t know what exactly I was doing when I went in the ring,” Kenny admitted after his round. “He’s very quick, and he’s very careful. I didn’t know if he was going to spook on the inside turn from one to two in the jump-off, but he didn’t at all. Everybody had said to me that it was going to be very difficult to do six strides to the double (combination), but I knew that he had such a big stride that it was going to be easy for him. I just cut inside, did the six, and then I knew I was one stride ahead at that stage, so then I just kept going. I tried to do seven to the last, but I got caught wide, so I had to do eight (strides), but it turned out to be good enough.”

“I was very lucky that Frances Land hit the last jump because she could have done 11 strides to the last jump and still beaten me,” Kenny added with a laugh.

Chin Quidam VDL is a breeding stallion for Hyperion Stud in Virginia. Kenny started riding the horse in Florida over the winter and has been stepping him up this summer.

“He’s a really, really nice horse, and he only started doing the 1.45m here at Spruce,” Kenny noted. “He has really come a long way. He won a national 1.45m here also and was second in another. Today was only his second time in the big ring, and he really performed well. He is quite competitive.”

In addition to his own success throughout the summer series, Kenny has coached many of his students to top ribbons. One student, Taylor Alexander, finished ninth with her horse G&C Flash in the Pepsi Challenge. Kenny explained that it is a big job to make sure all of his horses and riders are prepared in the same classes throughout the day, but showing together also keeps him on top of his game.

“For me, I really enjoy working with students,” he acknowledged. “I really enjoy helping people get to their goals in their careers. I know from my own experience, I ask nearly all the top riders questions all the time, so I think it’s good for my students that they also have someone that’s riding in the ring and can get on the horse and feel what they feel, and have an idea of what’s going on.”

“It’s a huge balance when you’re walking the course,” Kenny pointed out. “You have to teach every person differently because of how they ride and the horse that they are on. I really try in my training to individualize the horses. I don’t try to use the same idea for every horse. I see what each horse needs to improve on and do that, whether it’s my own horses or my clients’ horses.”

Wilton Porter and Diamonte Darco
Wilton Porter and Diamonte Darco

Porter Wins Big with Diamonte Darco

Twenty-year-old Wilton Porter (USA) got his first International win at Spruce Meadows Friday morning riding Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Diamonte Darco in the $33,500 Friends of the Meadows 1.45m. Porter got the nine-year-old mare, a Great Britain Sport Horse by Unbelievable Darco, this winter. The pair first showed in Florida for a few months and then traveled to Europe in May before starting up in Calgary last week. Jumping in the world-renowned International Ring, they made their first win together a big one.

Forty-three entries showed in the first competition of the day with nine clear rounds to advance to the jump-off. Porter and Diamonte Darco had the advantage of being last to go over the short course. When no one else was able to finish without fault, they only had the round of two time faults in 52.37 seconds from Christine McCrea and Candy Tribble’s Win For Life to beat. Porter explained that he thought he was almost not fast enough, but he galloped down to the final fence and jumped clear in 50.33 seconds to take top honors.

“It was a good jump-off to go last in,” the rider smiled. “I was right at the in-gate when Chris went, and I watched her round. It wasn’t super slow, but it wasn’t all out. I knew that I didn’t need to race and have a rail down because I was trying to go too fast. Actually, once I started doing the course and I was coming around to the second to last jump, I thought, ‘I’m pretty slow. I might be slower than her.’ So I had to kind of race to the last (jump), but it was a wall. Horses tend to back themselves off of that, so it worked out well.”

“It’s really exciting,” Porter said of his momentous win. “I have been coming to Spruce for four years and competing in the International Ring for three years. I have had some good placings in here, but I had not gotten that victory yet, so it is really special to have all of the hard work pay off.”

Porter was also excited to get the win with a relatively new horse in Diamonte Darco. He had a great round in the competition with his veteran partner Paloubet as well, but had one time fault to finish just out of the ribbons.

Porter explained that the mare has been gradually stepping up to bigger classes, and that although she is only nine years old and a little green at this level of competition, she handled it very well.

“She’s pretty fiery; a fiery personality, and she’s definitely very sensitive,” he said of the ride. “I have adjusted to that. She is very different from my other horse, Paloubet, who is really strong and powerful. I am just sort of trying to hold on to him, whereas with her, it is more of a finesse to it. She’s very careful. The distance at the jump is very important for her.”

With a fantastic win under his belt, Porter has big plans for the rest of the summer. Diamonte Darco will travel to Kentucky to be his mount at the Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships while Paloubet will fly over to Europe to give Porter the ride in his first senior Nations Cup team on the United States Under 25 tour in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The ‘North American’ Tournament continues on Saturday with the $85,000 TD Cup 1.50m and the $210,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup 1.60m. For more information and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Richard Spooner and Uraguay Victorious in $33,500 Duncan Ross Cup 1.50m at Spruce Meadows

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Richard Spooner and Uraguay. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Eric Lamaze Takes One-Two Finish in $33,500 Westjet Cup 1.45m

Calgary, AB, Canada – June 27, 2014 – It has been two days and two major victories for Richard Spooner (USA) at the Spruce Meadows ‘Canada One’ Tournament in Calgary, AB, Canada. Following a win with Cristallo on Thursday, Spooner jumped to top honors with brand new mount Uraguay in Friday’s $33,500 Duncan Ross Cup 1.50m. Eric Lamaze (CAN) also got a win on Friday with new horse Fine Lady 5 as well as taking second place honors aboard Check Picobello Z in the $33,500 Westjet Cup 1.45m. The ‘Canada One’ Tournament runs through Sunday, June 29, concluding with the $125,000 Imperial Challenge 1.55m.

Cristina Larangeiro of Portugal set the course for 28 entries in the Duncan Ross Cup 1.50m with six starters advancing to the jump-off and five double clear rounds. Richard Spooner and Legacy Stables LLC’s Uraguay blazed through the short course in 33.45 seconds for the win.

Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and Postage Stamp Farm LLC’s Prof de la Roque finished second in 34.05 seconds. Egypt’s Nayel Nassar and Lordan placed third in 35.75 seconds, and USA’s Quentin Judge and Double H Farm’s HH Donnatella finished fourth in 36.31 seconds. Paige Johnson (USA) and Salamander Farm’s Cambito completed the fifth double clear round in 39.67 seconds.

Uraguay, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Nairobi x Colino), is a brand new ride for Spooner, but the duo proved a promising partnership with a bold jump-off round and a huge effort to the final jump on course this evening.

“It was pretty exciting actually because Sandy and Bob Mockoviak were here, and it was the first time that they had ever seen me ride one of their horses and they just flew in,” Spooner noted. “That was pretty exciting to go clear, and then to really risk everything in the jump-off and risk again going to the last jump because that was crazy long, and he did it. I don’t know how he jumped from that far away. The wall and that corner were coming up pretty quick, but I was so happy with him.”

Spooner first rode Uraguay in Florida just before the start of the Spruce Meadows Summer Series in June and has only shown the horse two weeks before this competition.

“I don’t know much about him,” he admitted. “He is super careful; he is fantastically careful. He is very fast, and he is a real trier. He is also just beautiful to ride. He is lovely, and he has a fantastic mouth. Todd Minikus rode him before me and Mario Deslauriers before that and Albert Zoer before that, so I am lucky getting to follow up some pretty top riders. I am happy that I can do him justice.”

After a fantastic evening, Spooner has chosen to compete Uraguay in this week’s feature class on Sunday, and looks forward to seeing what they can do at the next level.

Lamaze Finishes Top Two in $33,500 Westjet Cup 1.45m

Larangeiro set the track for Friday’s Westjet Cup with a very tight time allowed that caught many of its 93 competitors in the Meadows on the Green. In the end, nine entries finished with one time fault and three more had two faults on the clock. Only seven advanced to the jump-off, where Canada’s Eric Lamaze finished first and second with the only double clear rounds. Lamaze completed the fastest round in 31.84 seconds to earn victory aboard Artisan Farms LLC’s Fine Lady 5. He took second place honors with Artisan Farms’ Check Picobello Z in 35.91 seconds. Ireland’s Richie Moloney guided Equinimity LLC’s Freestyle de Muze to a third place finish with two time faults over the short course in 37.04 seconds.

Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5
Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5

Fine Lady 5, an 11-year-old Hanoverian mare (Forsyth x Hauptstutbuch), is a brand new mount for Lamaze. “We just got her a little bit before coming to Spruce Meadows,” the rider explained. “My first show with her was Rome. The horse has been winning her entire career, so I knew she was a winner, but you still have to get along with the horse and I was really impressed. I was happy.”

“I really click with that horse. The moment I tried it, I knew that she was my type of horse,” Lamaze stated. “I had a gap to be filled in the 1.50m speed competition in Europe and things like that, so that’s how she came around, and then so quickly we made a good team.”

Lamaze plans to show Fine Lady 5 again in Sunday’s 1.50m competition as well as next week and will go from there. He had high praise for the mare and looks forward to continuing their partnership.

“She is modern,” he described. “She is light, careful, she has blood. Everything you want in a modern show jumper, she has. She is very simple. To go fast, she is a little complicated. She is so fast. She is actually one of the fastest horses I have ever sat on, so you have to just not think so fast.”

A technical course with a tight time allowed kept a lot of the riders out of the jump-off, and Lamaze knew it was not going to be easy when he walked the course, but he expertly qualified both of his mounts for the jump-off.

Heading into the short course early with Fine Lady 5, Lamaze completed what would turn out to be the winning round. He then guided Check Picobello Z into second at the end.

“I went second in the jump-off with her and there were fast riders behind me, so I just played my game with her,” he stated. “Then my next horse was easier because I was the only double clear, so I just wanted to make sure I didn’t have a time fault, which I was close.”

“[Check Picobello Z] is an 8-year-old, and I think a lot of him,” Lamaze declared. “I think it is a horse for the future, so I have been taking my time. I think the world of this horse. I think you will see a lot of him in the future.”

Competition at the Spruce Meadows ‘Canada One’ Tournament will continue on Saturday featuring the $33,500 McDaniel & Associates Cup 1.55m in the Meadows on the Green. The $8,000 Francis Family Cup 1.45m will be held in the Chinook Ring in the morning. For more information and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
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Spruce Meadows Media Services
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*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Lamaze and Powerplay Make It Two in a Row in $85,000 Spectra Energy Cup 1.55m at Spruce Meadows

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Eric Lamaze and Powerplay. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Calgary, AB, Canada – June 5, 2014 – The ‘National’ Tournament, presented by ROLEX, continued with three major competitions in the International Ring at the Spruce Meadows Summer Series. Topping the $85,000 Spectra Energy Cup 1.55m was Eric Lamaze on Powerplay, who were also yesterday’s big winners. Earlier in the day, winners included Darragh Kenny (IRL) with his first-ever International Ring victory and McLain Ward, who added another first place prize to the two he earned on Wednesday.

Watch highlights from competition on Thursday at the ‘National’!

The ‘National’ Tournament, presented by ROLEX, is the first of five tournaments in the Summer Series and runs through Sunday, June 8. The highlight of the week is Saturday’s $400,000 RBC Grand Prix presented by Rolex. This week’s top classes include: the $35,000 RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m on Friday, June 6, the $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse on Saturday, June 7, and the 210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby on Sunday, June 8.

The course designer for the ‘National’ Tournament in the International Ring is Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. Thirty-six entries went to post in the first round of the $85,000 Spectra Energy Cup 1.55m, and 10 found the path to a clear round and the jump-off.

Jorge noted that he is building for an extremely high quality of horses and riders at the Spruce Meadows Summer Series, so he has to be exact in his design. “The time allowed is playing a big part. The footing here, the horses are jumping really comfortable out of it, really confident. That makes our job harder, but in a good way. We don’t want to overdo it in the first week, but I think it’s going to be a really good competition on Saturday,” he said.

First in the jump-off was the new combination of Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Artisan Farms LLC’s Tripple X III. They set a quick leading time of 41.99 seconds, which would hold up for second place at the end of the class.

Eight horses later, Lamaze and Powerplay, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Casall x Limbus, who were able to catch Foster’s time. They made quick rollbacks on course and lowered the leading time to 40.86 seconds.

“The final line, I did one less stride. Tiffany asked me before she went if she should do eight (strides) in the last line, and I said since she didn’t know the horse all that well, it wasn’t a great idea. So I knew where to beat her!” Lamaze joked.

Foster retorted, “I even asked him to go slow, and he didn’t. Today I said to Eric, ‘How fast should I go?’ and he said, ‘Just go as fast as you’re comfortable and feel.’ So I thought, ‘All right, I’ll go pretty fast!’ He just keeps getting better and better. Obviously Ben Maher did an amazing job, and now I just get to have some fun.”

Lamaze also picked up third place on Zigali P S, also owned by Artisan Farms LLC. They had a time of 42.49 seconds.

Foster said that her relationship with Tripple X III felt strong from the beginning. “The ones that I’ve ridden so far jump big jumps and [have] been really, really scopey, brave, and safe. He feels pretty fast,” she revealed. “This is the seventh class I’ve ever jumped him in. When I tried him, he felt pretty comfortable already. Sometimes horses you just feel good on right away, and he’s been like that.”

With tonight’s win, Lamaze passed the $4 million earning mark, now having $4,034,357 as the leader of the Top 20 Prize Money Winnings in the history of Spruce Meadows.

Lamaze was very happy to get a second win at the ‘National.’ He said, “It was a great evening. The courses have been challenging. Guilherme was a little more lenient with the time allowed tonight than he was yesterday, so there were a few more clears. But the course was hard enough. The distance in the triple combination was very short, and you needed a little scope to get over ‘c’. Like any jump-off at Spruce Meadows, it comes down to speed. Sometimes the luck of the draw decides the winner in the end.”

McLain Ward and Zander
McLain Ward and Zander

Ward Takes Another Win

McLain Ward made up for a mistake in last night’s class when he and Zander had a rail at the last jump to finish second behind Eric Lamaze. In the $33,500 Westmoreland Cup 1.50m, Ward was extremely fast throughout the jump-off course but slowed down to the final vertical, leaving it up and stopping the timers in 31.23 seconds for the win.

“I screwed up in last night’s class,” Ward admitted. “It felt good (today), but I took a pull to the last!”

Despite easing off the pace a bit to the last jump, Ward beat a solid field of competitors. “I knew there were fast ones coming, particularly Darragh. He was good this morning. Eric’s horse is very fast, and obviously he’s on a roll,” he acknowledged. “I just got a little bit lucky.”

Second place went to Lamaze and new mount Fine Lady 5, owned by Artisan Farms LLC. They were just off the pace in 31.30 seconds. Three-tenths of a second slower in 31.67 seconds, Darragh Kenny and Sans Souci Z, owned by Caroline Lloyd, was third.

Ward and Zander took the option at fence 8 on course, the Devil’s Dyke, to prepare for Sunday’s $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup Derby. Ward didn’t mind riding in the rain and cooler weather today either. “It gets warmer and the show gets better with every win!” he joked.

Darragh Kenny Leads First Victory Gallop in the International Ring

The $33,500 ATCO Pipelines Cup 1.45m had a large starting field of 71 entries, and 23 of those moved on to the jump-off. The early leader was Frances Land (USA), who set a blistering pace of 41.40 seconds with Vieanne, which would hold up for second place at the end of the class.

The only one to come close to Land’s time was Darragh Kenny, who rides for Ireland but is based in the United States. He and Picolo, an 11-year-old Warmblood gelding by Diamant de Semilly x Alme owned by his Oakland Ventures LLC, were so smooth and quick that even Kenny didn’t know he was fast enough to win. They stopped the timers in 41.04 seconds for victory.

Darragh Kenny and Picolo
Darragh Kenny and Picolo

Before he went in for the jump-off, Kenny said, “I really thought I couldn’t be faster than Frances; she was amazingly fast. I just thought, ‘Ok, I’ll go as quick as I can go and see how it keeps going.’ He’s very, very quick across the ground and quick across the jumps, so that helps him.”

During the jump-off, he still wasn’t sure. “Actually, I turned back to the last double (combination) and was like, ‘I think I’m too slow.’ The announcer said something, but I couldn’t really hear it so I didn’t know. I was like, ‘I’m just going to keep going and hope for the best!’” he smiled.

Kenny found Picolo a year ago during the off week of the Spruce Meadows Summer Series. He traveled to Europe and found him through a friend from Cedric Angot. After treating Picolo’s ulcers, Kenny said he has returned to normal and has shown he’s back to his winning ways.

“He’s a super horse, and I really think a lot of him. He always tries to win. He’s so good like that. I’m surprised he did it today. It’s his first day in the ring,” Kenny revealed. “This 1.45m-1.50m, that’s his division. He’s competitive at that. I didn’t really buy him to be a top grand prix horse; I bought him to win classes, and that’s what he does.”

This is Kenny’s first win in the International Ring. “It’s definitely one of the best ways to spend a rainy afternoon! It’s an amazing feeling,” he remarked.

Highlight competitions for Friday at the ‘National’ Tournament, presented by ROLEX, include the $35,000 Encana Cup 1.45m and the $35,000 RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m. For more information and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
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Competitions, Show Jumping

Lamaze, Ward, and Sweetnam Post Victories on Opening Day of Spruce Meadows ‘National’ Tournament

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Eric Lamaze and Powerplay. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Calgary, AB, Canada – June 4, 2014 – In a day packed full of show jumping, three top athletes posted victories in the International Ring on the opening day of the Spruce Meadows ‘National’ Tournament. In the $85,000 ATB Financial Cup 1.55m, Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Powerplay were victorious. McLain Ward (USA) had two wins today, and Shane Sweetnam (IRL) was also honored in awards presentations.

The ‘National’ Tournament presented by Rolex is the first of five in the Summer Series and runs through Sunday, June 8. The highlight of the week is Saturday’s $400,000 RBC Grand Prix presented by Rolex. This week’s top classes include: the $85,000 Spectra Energy Cup 1.55m on Thursday, June 5, the $35,000 RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m on Friday, June 6, the $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse on Saturday, June 7, and the 210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby on Sunday, June 8.

The course designer for the ‘National’ Tournament in the International Ring is Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. He set a testing track in the $85,000 ATB Financial Cup 1.55m jump-off class, where four of 26 total entries advanced to the shortened course.

The first would prove to be the best: when Eric Lamaze and his 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding partner Powerplay blazed around the course with no faults, no one was able to catch them without fault. They set a time of 39.52 seconds for victory.

McLain Ward almost had his third win of the day, but it was not to be when he and Zander pulled the top plank at the final vertical in the jump-off. Their fast time of 37.51 seconds gave them second place.

Pablo Barrios (VEN) and Zara Leandra finished third with four faults in 39.78 seconds, while Sameh El Dahan (EGY) and WKD Pepperpot placed fourth with eight faults in 42.34 seconds.

Lamaze and Powerplay, owned by Artisan Farms LLC, have had a successful spring including a win in the CSI 5* grand prix in La Baule, France. “They’re coming into Spruce Meadows in really good form,” Lamaze noted. “I have a lot of confidence in them. It was a year ago that I rode Powerplay for the first time, and it was a different ending from tonight. He’s come a long way in one year. It’s a different horse now.”

Lamaze described Powerplay as “a bit lazy” and laidback. He laughed, “He’s not the most fun horse to ride in the morning. He’s a funny personality. He’s very spooky; he’s afraid of a lot of things, but he’s brave at the same time. He’s not really a horse that I think I would get along with, but we’ve formed a partnership. We like each other, and I have a lot of respect for him.”

Schooling before the class, Lamaze said he could feel the tension of the riders and sensed the importance of the first day. Leading the victory gallop is something that he will savor from today’s memories.

He expressed, “I love coming to Spruce Meadows. No one will ever get tired of winning here. It’s always special to win any event, especially in the International Ring. There’s a lot of other guys fighting to win. McLain had a fantastic day. I thought for sure he was going to go for a hat trick, and it looked that way until the end. It’s really not easy. These jump-offs are won with very fast rounds. It’s really good sport. We take it seriously.”

“In the old days I took it for granted with this little horse Hickstead,” he continued. “It was a lot easier to win classes. Now that I look back, I wished I enjoyed them a lot more. With La Baule, Rome, winning here, I’m really enjoying myself. I have a new respect for how hard it is to win. These horses are very good horses, but for a long time, one was so extra special that it made my job very easy. I really appreciate now when it goes my way.”

Lamaze also complimented the footing in the International Ring. “I don’t think I’ve ever ridden on better grass footing than tonight. It’s to perfection. As a rider, this is fantastic. The horses love it; it’s not slippery. It’s as good as I’ve ever seen it here,” he said.

McLain Ward and HH Cannavaro
McLain Ward and HH Cannavaro

The third class of the day in the International Ring was the $33,500 Bantrel Cup 1.50m with 47 entries. Sixteen went on to the jump-off, and 12 of those were clear over the second course. The fastest was McLain Ward on HH Cannavaro, a 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion by Caplan x Caretino owned by Double H Farm. It was Ward’s second win of the day.

Ward has only ridden HH Cannavaro since March, but they have connected quickly, having won the $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix at Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show just three weeks ago. Ward has been teaching the talented horse to be faster in jump-offs. “He’s a big jumper, and he really likes to take his time,” he pointed out. “Just like Sapphire years ago, they have to learn to be a quicker horse. But he really allows you to ride him. I was able to make a really good turn on the third jump, and he’s so careful I could run at the last. It worked out our day. A couple of the real fast ones had a rail.”

Unlike his Olympic gold medalist partner Sapphire, HH Cannavaro came to Ward with more experience. “He’s older than when I had Sapphire at first; she did the [Olympic] Games at nine. I got him as a 10-year-old. He had a lot of experience and was ready to be pushed a little bit. We’re thrilled with what he’s doing now,” he said.

Ward was happy to be back at Spruce Meadows with a top string of horses under the renewed partnership with Double H Farm. “This is an incredible event, and the prize money is fantastic. We’re really excited about all our horses and being back together with Hunter Harrison is very exciting for us,” he confirmed. “He really provides us with some great stock. The results always show. When you have the best horses, it helps.”

McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z, owned by Double H Farm, went to the top of the leaderboard after a speedy clear round in 58.581 seconds for victory in the $33,500 Back on Track Cup 1.45m. They beat 54 entries in the one-round class. Angel Karolyi (VEN) and Indiana 127, owned by Hollow Creek Farm, were second with a time of 61.47 seconds. In third place was Conor Swail (IRL) and Susan Grange’s Ariana, who posted a time of 62.00 seconds.

Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083
Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083

The first class of the day was the $33,500 Friends of the Meadows Jumper 1.45m speed class with 53 entries, and the win went to Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083, owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC. Sweetnam and Cyklon recorded a time of 55.20 seconds. They just beat out Santiago Lambre (MEX) and Zeus du Buison Z, who finished in 55.24 seconds. Riding Sheila Sosnow’s Uitteraard, Nayel Nassar (EGY) was third in 56.72 seconds.

The Spruce Meadows ‘National’ Tournament continues tomorrow with the $33,500 ATCO Pipelines Cup 1.45m, $33,500 Westmoreland Cup 1.50m, and $85,000 Spectra Energy Cup 1.55m. For more information and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

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

Spruce Meadows Media Services
caroline.weilinger@sprucemeadows.com
403.974.4232
sprucemeadows.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze Wins the Grand Prix of Rome

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Eric Lamaze claimed his second consecutive five-star grand prix victory, the €200,000 Grand Prix of Rome, riding Zigali P S. Photo by NoelleFloyd.com.

2008 Olympic Champion Scores Back-to-Back Grand Prix Victories in La Baule and Rome

Rome, Italy – One week following his stunning win in the €200,000 Grand Prix of La Baule, France, Canadian Olympic Show Jumping Champion Eric Lamaze made it two in a row by claiming the €200,000 Grand Prix of Rome, Italy, on Sunday, May 25.

When Lamaze won the €200,000 Grand Prix of La Baule, France on May 18 riding Powerplay, it marked his first five-star victory since his partnership with Hickstead. Now, the Canadian show jumping star has done it again, claiming the €200,000 Grand Prix of Rome one week later with Zigali P S.

In an incredible twist of fate, Lamaze also won the Grand Prix of La Baule and the Grand Prix of Rome back-to-back in 2011 with Hickstead, just months before the great stallion’s tragic death.

“After La Baule, everyone was saying that Zigali would win in Rome but I didn’t think it was possible; it’s so hard to win these grand prix events, especially with two different horses,” said Lamaze of Schomberg, ON. “Winning in La Baule gave me a lot of confidence coming into this week, but when you’re on another horse, it’s quite different.”

Having used Zigali P S as a second horse to Powerplay in European competition this spring, Lamaze decided it was time for Zigali P S to step into the spotlight for the €200,000 Grand Prix of Rome. Fifty of the world’s top ranked riders started the event in the hopes of winning with 13 advancing to the all-deciding second round. When Lamaze entered the arena, he was chasing the time of 42.26 seconds set by Dutchman Frank Schuttert. Demonstrating yet again why he was crowned the Olympic Champion, Lamaze shaved almost a full second off the leading time, stopping the timers in 41.29 seconds. Next in, British legend Michael Whitaker came within fractions of catching Lamaze but, in the end, his time of 41.31 seconds with Viking would only prove good enough for second place.

“Zigali is a super-fast horse; he can leave strides out and can keep his jump,” said Lamaze in praise of the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Kigali x STB-H Palfrenier) purchased by Carlene and Andy Ziegler’s Artisan Farms last November.

Lamaze and Zigali P S had opened the four-day show jumping tournament in Rome with a win in the €24,000 1.50m Premio 3.

“Zigali won the first day, and then he wins again today,” said an astonished Lamaze. “It’s incredible! The first class he wins from 64 starters, and then he wins this one, too! For Zigali to come to Rome, a five-star event, and to compete in two classes and to win both, and for me to win my first five-star grand prix with him, is unbelievable!”

Following the death of Hickstead, Lamaze continued on with a heavy heart, competing for the fifth-placed Canadian Team at the 2012 London Olympics before taking a step back from the sport. Following a rebuilding phase, he is now back at the top of his game, winning two of the most prestigious grand prix events in the world.

“The faith I had in these horses is paying off,” said Lamaze. “We are really clicking; everything is coming together between me and the horses. I’ve spent time really getting to know them, and the moment has come now. Yes, I won these two events before with Hickstead, but to do it again now with two different horses really shows the depth of horses that we have. With the Ziegler family behind us purchasing these great horses, I can’t help but to feel like we’re back in the sport.”

In addition to opening the four-day show jumping tournament in Rome with a win in the €24,000 1.50m Premio 3 riding Zigali P S, Lamaze made another trip to the winner’s circle on Saturday after winning the €5,000 1.40m Land Rover Premio 7 riding Cesanna. In his competition debut with the newly-acquired Fine Lady 5, Lamaze was double clear to place fourth in the €24,000 1.50m Premio 5 for owners Artisan Farms.

At CSIO5* Rome, Lamaze competed alongside fellow Canadian Tiffany Foster of Vancouver, BC. Lamaze and Foster are both based full-time with Artisan Farms in Vrasene, Belgium, and Wellington, Florida.

Next up for Lamaze is the CSI5* Global Champions Tour in Hamburg, Germany, from May 28 to June 1. With strong results already this season in Antwerp and Madrid, Lamaze is the current leader of the Global Champions Tour standings.

Following Hamburg, Lamaze and ‘Team Artisan’ will fly more than 30 horses to Calgary, Canada, to compete throughout the Spruce Meadows Summer Series, which kicks off with the Spruce Meadows “National” tournament from June 4 to 8. Lamaze’s favourite show jumping venue in the world, he is sure to receive quite a warm welcome at Spruce Meadows from his legions of Canadian supporters.

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

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze Rides Winning Streak into Rome

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Eric Lamaze and Zigali P S won the €24,000 1.50m Premio 3 on opening day of CSIO5* Rome. Photo by NoelleFloyd.com.

Rome, Italy – Hot off his victory in the €200,000 Grand Prix of La Baule, France, on Sunday, Canadian Olympic Show Jumping Champion Eric Lamaze enjoyed another win on the opening day of CSIO5* Rome, Italy.

On Thursday, May 22, Lamaze opened the five-star event in Rome with a win in the €24,000 1.50m Premio 3 riding Zigali P S for owners Carlene and Andy Ziegler of Artisan Farms. The victory came four days after an emotional win in the €200,000 Grand Prix of La Baule with Powerplay, also owned by Artisan Farms.

A total of 64 horses contested the €24,000 1.50m Premio 3 with 26 qualifying for the jump-off. As the second rider back for the tie-breaker, Lamaze laid down a clear round in a time of 37.67 seconds. It was a long wait as 24 more horse-rider combinations attempted to better his time, but none were able to catch the top-ranked Canadian rider. Two Frenchmen came closest, with Simon Delestre clocking in at 38 seconds flat with Ryan des Hayettes and Kevin Staut placing third after posting a time of 38.62 with Oh d’Eole.

“I knew it was going to be quite fast with 26 in the jump-off, and Zigali is fast to begin with,” said Lamaze of Schomberg, ON. “Fences one and two were new fences for the jump-off; I was fast to number one and just kept going! It set me up for the round, and I was able to leave strides out in several lines. It was a good opening day in Rome!”

Artisan Farms purchased Zigali P S last November from Great Britain’s Dan Neilson. Lamaze first competed with the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Kigali x STB-H Palfrenier) at the 2014 Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, impressively finishing the 12-week circuit as the Leading Money Winner in the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series.

After being the second horse at spring competitions in Europe, Zigali P S will step into the spotlight as Lamaze’s mount for the Grand Prix of Rome on Sunday, May 25. Lamaze won the event in 2011 with Hickstead.

“This is the first show where he is actually going to be the lead horse,” said Lamaze of Zigali’s elevated position at CSIO5* Rome. “It’s nice that he has a chance to be put in the position of doing the grand prix this week. The last few shows, it was all Powerplay for the big classes. Everything leading up to this has set Zigali up to do this; Florida and these first few shows in Europe really gave me a chance to get to know him. Now it gets a little more serious for Zigali.”

At CSIO5* Rome, Lamaze is competing alongside fellow Canadian Tiffany Foster of Vancouver, BC. Foster also contested the €24,000 1.50m Premio 3 on opening day, posting a score of four faults riding Southwind VDL for Artisan Farms. Lamaze and Foster are both based full-time with Artisan Farms, which has bases in Vrasene, Belgium, and Wellington, Florida.

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

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments to Feature Increased Prize Money and More FEI World Ranking Classes

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Eric Lamaze and Powerplay. Photo © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Calgary, AB, Canada – May 19, 2014 – Spruce Meadows looks forward to welcoming many of the world’s best horses and riders to their Summer Series tournaments in 2014, beginning June 5 and continuing with five tournaments through July 13. The tournaments have a 7% increase in prize money this year, featuring four 5* events and more opportunities to earn important FEI World Ranking points.

Spruce Meadows is home to some of the most prestigious and popular show jumping events in the world, and it is the only place in the summer to get this kind of money and points. Large numbers in entries are expected, and the caliber of riders will be fantastic. In addition to top prize money and the opportunity to gain world ranking points, riders will also look forward to the chance to help their countries qualify for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Final.

Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Lamaze of Canada will be competing at Spruce Meadows throughout all five weeks of the Summer Series and is planning on bringing more than 20 horses to show. Lamaze looks forward to the increased prize money in the big divisions as well as the improved category for FEI World Ranking points.

“Obviously, it’s great!” Lamaze proclaimed. “The sport is at a very high level, and the increase in prize money is well-suited to the level of competition. In Calgary, you can move up your world ranking tremendously when you have 45 world ranking classes within a period of five weeks. I don’t think you even have that in Europe.”

All of the 1.55-1.60m division events have a minimum of $85,000 in prize money, which puts them into the next highest category for ranking points, an increase from last year.

The Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments start with the ‘National’ CSI 5* Tournament presented by Rolex on June 4-8. Competition that week will feature the $400,000 RBC Grand Prix presented by Rolex on Saturday, June 7, as well as the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby on Sunday, June 8. The $85,000 ATB Financial Cup 1.55m will be held Wednesday, June 4, and the $85,000 Spectra Energy Cup 1.55m will be the highlight on Thursday, June 5.

Jonathan Asselin and Showgirl on the derby bank. Photo © Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Jonathan Asselin and Showgirl on the derby bank. Photo © Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Spruce Meadows is committed to helping develop a new generation of ‘Derby’ horses. They invite all athletes nominating in the FEI divisions to consider entering the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby and the $210,000 Cenovus Energy Classic 1.50m Derby to appreciate its unparalleled competitive experience and reap some of its well-deserved rewards. In 2014, the Derby’s heights and widths will be more inviting. All riders who complete the course will be presented with $5,000.

The ‘Continental’ CSIO 5* Tournament will run the following week from June 12-15, featuring the $125,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ presented by Scotiabank on Friday, June 13, and the $210,000 CP Grand Prix on Sunday, June 15. The $85,000 Husky Energy Classic 1.50m will be featured on Thursday, June 12, and the $85,000 Talisman Energy Cup 1.50m will be the highlight on Saturday, June 14.

Spruce Meadows is host to one of only three Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ events in North America, which will be a qualifier for countries in the region hoping to attend the series final in Barcelona, Spain, in October. Since less than five teams are invited to the qualifier at Spruce Meadows, the countries from this region can have two teams, which is a great development opportunity for Canada, USA, and Mexico, without having to travel all the way to Europe.

Lamaze explained that all of the summer shows, along with the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, will be great help to the Canadian team as they prepare for this year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG).

“Calgary has always been the best preparation you can do for a major games,” Lamaze stated. “In the last few major championships, as far as I can remember, the Canadian riders standing on the podium competed at Calgary as part of their preparation. Spruce Meadows is a high-level facility with high-level competition. It’s great preparation.”

In addition to the great prize money, increased level of FEI World Ranking points, and excellent preparation for WEG, Lamaze also looks forward to the opportunity to show in a fantastic venue while bringing along some young horses and riders.

“We have several young horses that are going, and I really look forward to their development,” he noted. “People think that Calgary is all about the grand prix level, but we are also bringing young horses and young riders. The experience they gain in Calgary helps them to become something special in the future.”

The summer competition continues with three more weeks following a break after the ‘National’ and ‘Continental’ Tournaments. The ‘Canada One’ CSI 4* Tournament is next on the schedule on June 26-29, featuring the $125,000 ESSO Imperial Oil Challenge 1.55m competition on Sunday, June 29.

The ‘North American’ CSI 5* Tournament will be held July 2-6, featuring the $210,000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Saturday, July 5. The $210,000 Cenovus Energy Classic 1.50m Derby will be the highlight on Sunday, July 6. There will also be the $85,000 Sun Life Financial ‘Reach for the Sun’ 1.55m competition on Wednesday, July 2, and the $85,000 Progress Energy Cup 1.55m on Thursday, July 3, as well as the $85,000 TD Cup 1.50m on Saturday, July 5, and the $85,000 Enbridge Cup 1.50m on Sunday, July 6.

Concluding the summer tournaments, the ‘Pan American’ CSI 5* Tournament will run July 10-13, featuring the $400,000 Pan American Cup presented by Rolex on Sunday, July 13.

As always, Spruce Meadows also offers a full schedule of events for junior and amateur jumper riders. Make your plans to visit Spruce Meadows this year and see the best show jumping action in the world!

Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

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

Spruce Meadows Media Services
katie.macleod@sprucemeadows.com
403.974.4232
sprucemeadows.com

FEI, Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze Claims Grand Prix of La Baule, France

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Eric Lamaze riding Powerplay. Photo by NoelleFloyd.com.

La Baule, France – Canadian Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze rode Artisan Farms LLC’s Powerplay to victory in the €200,000 Grand Prix of La Baule on Sunday, May 18, in France.

It was an extremely emotional win for Lamaze, who won the CSIO5* La Baule event, the highest ranking on the international show jumping calendar, on one other occasion in his career, in 2011 with the magnificent Hickstead.

“This is the first five-star grand prix that I’ve won since Hickstead,” said Lamaze, who was smiling from ear to ear as tears rolled down his cheeks.  “It is super exciting to win this grand prix.  It’s a grand prix that I’ve won before; I know what it feels like to win in La Baule!”

Fifty of the best horses and riders in the world attempted the €200,000 Grand Prix of La Baule with nine jumping the first round clear to advance to the jump-off.  Lamaze, who was eighth to return, set off at a full gallop, skillfully encouraging Powerplay across the ground and making tight turns back to the obstacles.  He raced through the timers in 35.83 seconds to easily eclipse the time of 37.53 set by Abdelkebir Ouaddar of Morocco riding Quickly de Kreisker.  France’s own Patrice Delaveau placed third with a time of 37.60 seconds with Carinjo HDC.

Powerplay stepped into big shoes by claiming the La Baule victory.  Acquired by Artisan Farms LLC last spring from Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer, Lamaze has been riding the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Limbus) for almost one full year.

“I’ve never asked Powerplay to do something like this and to go so fast,” explained Lamaze, who in a spur of the moment display of delight, leapt off the podium during the awards presentation to spray the supportive audience with celebratory champagne.  “Last year was a learning year with the horse.  I’ve really taken my time with him and been respectful of how careful he is.  He’s not a super-fast horse, but sometimes when you get to know a horse, you know when you can take risks.

“Today, it felt like it was time to be competitive.  It felt like the time was right for me to ask him to do this.”

La Baule marked the third five-star grand prix in a row that Powerplay has jumped clear, having placed sixth in the €300,000 CSI5* Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Antwerp, Belgium, with one time fault and been clear in the opening round of the €300,000 CSI5* Global Champions Tour Grand Prix two weeks ago in Madrid, Spain.

“We are so thankful to Carlene and Andy Ziegler of Artisan Farms for giving us this opportunity,” said Lamaze, who competes alongside fellow Canadian Olympian Tiffany Foster as an Artisan Farms sponsored rider.

Earlier in the day, Foster was double clear to place fifth in the €24,000 1.45m Prix Laiterie De Montaigu riding Melody des Hayettes Z and, on Thursday, placed sixth behind Lamaze and Zigali P S in the €27,500 Prix du Conseil Général with Victor.  Lamaze and Foster are both based full-time with Artisan Farms in Vrasene, Belgium, and Wellington, Florida.

Next up is CSIO5* Rome, Italy (May 22-25), where Lamaze also won the Grand Prix in 2011 with Hickstead.  Zigali P S, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Kigali x STB-H Palfrenier) acquired by Artisan Farms in November, will start in the Grand Prix of Rome.  Zigali P S was named the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Overall Series Award as the Leading Money Winner at the highly competitive 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

Following the CSI5* Global Champions Tour in Hamburg, Germany (May 28 – June 1), Lamaze returns home to Canada for the Spruce Meadows Summer Series in Calgary, AB.

Lamaze’s main focus this year is the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy, France, at the end of August.  The 2010 WEG Individual Bronze Medalist with Hickstead, Lamaze will decide between Powerplay and Zigali P S for this year’s WEG competition, which will mark his sixth consecutive WEG appearance.  Described by Lamaze as “a true championship horse”, Powerplay has competed in Nations’ Cup competition on four occasions since being acquired by Artisan Farms in May of 2013, including anchoring the victorious Canadian team in Wellington, FL.

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

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze Eyes $500,000 CSI5* Grand Prix to Close Out Winter Circuit

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Eric Lamaze and Zigali P S celebrate their victory in the $50,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round XI. Photo by Starting Gate Communications Inc.

Wellington, Florida – As the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, draws to a close, Canadian Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze is gearing up for the final event of the 12-week circuit, the $500,000 FTI Consulting Grand Prix Finale on Saturday night, March 29.

With a new string of horses competing at this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival, Lamaze had the opportunity to further each horse’s training as he got to know his mounts better in the competition arena.  With 11 weeks to reflect on, Lamaze has selected Zigali P S as his mount for Saturday night’s $500,000 Grand Prix Finale.

“It’s been a successful tour,” said Lamaze of his time at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival.  “I’ve gotten to know my newest horse, Zigali, very well this circuit and that is the horse I am going to use for the Grand Prix on Saturday.”

During Week XI, Lamaze and Zigali P S emerged victorious from a starting field of 95 horses to win the $50,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round XI.  Lamaze’s supporters, Carlene and Andy Ziegler of Artisan Farms, acquired Zigali P S, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Kigali x STB-H Palfrenier), in November from Daniel Neilson of Great Britain.  Powerplay and Quelmec du Gery were purchased last May, giving Lamaze a string of top mounts for international competition, including at this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival.

Offering more than $8 million in prize money, this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival was augmented with increased world ranking classes, increased prize money, and the support of Rolex.  Already extremely popular as evidenced by the increased entries and spectator attendance, Lamaze expects more and more top level competitors will be drawn to the sunny locale in the future.

“Florida is fantastic,” said Lamaze, a Rolex testimonee who is based in Wellington full-time from December to April each year.  “The Winter Equestrian Festival has made itself a top facility with top sport.  With Rolex involved and the increase in prize money this year, I think more and more Europeans will start coming.  Once you have experienced this show with the great weather and conditions, it is very hard not to come back.  Every European rider I know that has been here returns the next year.  Everyone has a choice of which venues to go to, but WEF is a very competitive circuit and I think more and more people will start coming here.  Many of us have homes here in Wellington, and it is nice to be in one place for an extended period of time.”

Following the Winter Equestrian Festival, Lamaze will return to Europe where Artisan Farms is based in Vrasene, Belgium.  With plans to compete at CSI5* Antwerp, Belgium (April 24-27), CSI5* Madrid, Spain (May 2-4), CSIO5* La Baule, France (May 15-18), and potentially CSIO5* Rome, Italy (May 22-25), Lamaze will then return to Canada for the Spruce Meadows Summer Series in Calgary, AB.  From there, it’s back to Europe for more competition leading up to the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy, France, at the end of August.  At the last World Equestrian Games, held in 2010 in Lexington, KY, Lamaze won the individual bronze medal while his mount, Hickstead, earned the title of “Best Horse” after jumping clear for all four riders competing in ‘The Final Four’ format used to determine individual medals.

Lamaze, who would be making his sixth consecutive World Equestrian Games appearance, is aiming Powerplay for this year’s World Equestrian Games, saying, “It’s something that I plan to do with Powerplay, but Zigali has jumped really well in Florida, and he has been getting better and better with every grand prix that he’s jumped in.  My thoughts are that Powerplay will be the horse for WEG but if Zigali keeps going like he has been, there might be some thought that Zigali could be the horse.  It’s too early to make a final decision at this point.”

Lamaze and Powerplay, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Limbus), have now been members of the Canadian Team on four occasions for Nations’ Cup competition, including the recent FEI Nations’ Cup held February 28 in Wellington, FL, where Canada scored a resounding victory over a starting line-up of 12 nations.

Lamaze is based full-time with Artisan Farms in Vrasene, Belgium, and Wellington, Florida.  For more information on Eric Lamaze, please visit www.torreypinesstable.com.

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

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Eric Lamaze Faultless in €1,500,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations’ Cup Final

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Eric Lamaze produced double clear rounds riding Powerplay to lead Canada to a sixth place finish in the inaugural €1,500,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations’ Cup Final. Photo Credit – Nacho Olano, www.nachoolano.com.

September 29, 2013 – Barcelona, Spain – 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze produced two clear rounds in the €1,500,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations’ Cup Final to lead Canada to a sixth place finish among 18 countries vying for the inaugural title.  The Real Club de Polo de Barcelona hosted the four-day CSIO5* show jumping event from September 26 to 29.

The two-round Nations’ Cup competition was held over two days.  All 18 countries lined out on Friday, with the top eight advancing to Sunday’s Final.  Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, riding Powerplay and Tiffany Foster of Vancouver, BC, riding Verdi III both produced clear rounds in Friday’s competition, enabling Canada to finish seventh and advance to the second round of competition where an unprecedented €1,500,000 in prize money was on offer.

In Sunday’s competition, Foster faulted at the difficult plank vertical set after the water, adding four faults to Canada’s team total.  Jonathan Asselin would provide the drop score while Mac Cone’s 13 faults on Amor van de Rostal would be counted.  Riding in the anchor position, Lamaze produced another clear round on Powerplay, giving Canada a sixth place finish with a total of 17 faults and a €90,000 share of prize money.  France won the €1,500,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations’ Cup Final with an eight fault total, followed in the standings by Brazil (nine faults), Ireland (12 faults), Netherlands (12 faults) and Belgium (16 faults).

“I think to finish sixth in this company without Ian Millar is a very good accomplishment,” said Lamaze of the Canadian team’s result.  “Sixth place we will gladly take.  This was the top of the sport.  The course designer (Santiago Varela of Spain) is a brilliant man.  No horses struggled to the point of injury or losing confidence.  It was a World Championship or Olympic-type competition in a beautiful setting.”

Making the competition even more interesting, a €200,000 bonus purse was offered for riders who jumped double clear.  With only Lamaze and Great Britain’s anchor rider, 2012 Olympic gold team medalist Scott Brash, producing double clear rounds over two gruelling days of competition, each were awarded €100,000 in recognition of their significant achievements.

“I was happy for the horse; I think he delivered incredible performances for us,” said Lamaze in praise of Powerplay, a nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Limbus).  “The double clear is something very close to my heart.  I’ve had so many great moments in the sport, and this will go down as one of them.”

Powerplay was purchased at the end of May, at the same time that Foster’s mount, Verdi III, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Hors La Loi II x Cantus), was acquired by Artisan Farms.  Both horses came from Pius Schwizer of Switzerland and have only had a couple of months to form a partnership with their new riders.

“It is really unexpected,” said Lamaze, 45.  “Usually, you need time to get to know the horse to be able to compete at this level.  To accomplish this is really something special.  This was the best of the best.”

Earlier in the week, Lamaze placed third in the €23,500 1.45m Estrella Damm Trophy and fourth in the €30,000 1.45m Coca Cola Trophy riding Quelmec du Gery, a nine-year-old selle francais gelding (Pamphile x Jasper) also owned by Artisan Farms.

Foster, 29, was fourth in Saturday’s €50,000 1.50m Queen’s Cup Trophy, having placed sixth in the €120,000 1.55m City of Barcelona Trophy on Friday.  Her mount for both classes was Victor, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Elmshorn x Grandeur) owned by Artisan Farms and Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable.

Also representing Canada was Yann Candele of Caledon, ON, who arrived in Barcelona on short notice.  Riding Brooklyn Blues for owner Carol Sollak, Candele came close to winning Sunday morning’s €23,500 1.45m La Caixa Trophy, but was beaten to the wire by Maikel van der Vleuten of The Netherlands.  Candele got off to a strong start, placing sixth in Thursday’s €30,000 1.45m Coca Cola Trophy riding Dakata vd Knuffel, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare generously loaned for the week by Belgium’s Gilbert de Roock.

“It was great to have Yann in Europe, competing against the best in the world and showing everyone that this is where that he belongs,” said Lamaze of his 2010 World Equestrian Games teammate.

Lamaze continued, “It was true championship competition, and it is amazing to have these kinds of results.  For Tiffany to produce such solid scores, and for the horses to jump so well so soon after purchasing them, was incredible.  It was a great weekend for Canada, and it was a great weekend for Artisan Farms.  It doesn’t get any better than this!”

Lamaze and Foster both ride for Artisan Farms, with bases in Vrasene, Belgium, and Wellington, Florida.

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