After six months out of the sport, Lamaze returned to the competition ring this spring with a light competition schedule. Calgary’s Spruce Meadows is at the top of Lamaze’s list of favourite horse shows, and the 2008 Olympic Champion was determined to compete at the Summer Series. Being back in the International Ring was an achievement in itself, but Lamaze demonstrated his skill and courage by coming out on top in one of the most exciting jump-offs in recent history for the $500,000 RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex, on Saturday, June 8, at the Spruce Meadows ‘National’ tournament.
Riding Chacco Kid, Lamaze topped a seven-horse jump-off in dramatic fashion. Jumping clear in a time of 46.25 seconds, Lamaze moved into the lead with two riders to follow. 2018 World Cup Champion Beezie Madden had the time, 44.62 seconds, riding Coach but a rail down at the final Rolex fence dropped the American to fourth in the final standings. The reigning World Cup Champion and one of Lamaze’s closest friends, Steve Guerdat of Switzerland, was the final challenger and looked on target with Albfuehren’s Bianca, but when the clock stopped in 46.96 seconds, the victory went to Lamaze.
“I didn’t get up this morning thinking this was possible,” said an emotional Lamaze, 51. “It shows what a good horse can do for you. When you don’t have the fight in you, they fight for you. It’s one of the victories I will cherish forever.”
The all-time leading money winner at Spruce Meadows with more than $6 million in career earnings, Lamaze last won the ‘National’ tournament grand prix in 2010 riding Hickstead.
“This is an ongoing battle for me, and today is a gift,” said Lamaze. “With great support from Steve [Guerdat], my owners and clients, my staff, and people all around the world, you keep fighting and the dream came true. With the great Hickstead was the last time I won this grand prix; I think he was looking out for me today.”
Lamaze has been partnered with his winning mount, Chacco Kid, a 13-year-old chestnut Oldenburg gelding (Chacco Blue x Come On), for the past three years. The horse is owned by The Chacco Kid group consisting of Rick and Sara Mershad, Ludi and Carol Sollak, and Andy and Carlene Ziegler.
“It was his first real grand prix win in the International Ring,” said Lamaze of Chacco Kid. “I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again – I do believe Spruce Meadows makes horses. Chacco Kid arrived here three years ago and he’s a better horse because of it. I can’t say enough about this facility. Spruce Meadows is a place to bring young students and see them grow, and to bring young horses and see them grow. If you win a competition here, you can win anywhere in the world.”
Leaving little doubt as to his will to win, Lamaze had also claimed victory on Thursday evening riding Fine Lady 5, owned by his Torrey Pines Stable in partnership with the Zieglers’ Artisan Farms. The pair topped a 14-horse jump-off to win the $36,100 1.50m PwC Cup, beating out Ireland’s Conor Swail riding GK Coco Chanel and Lamaze’s student, Kara Chad of Calgary, AB, who finished third aboard Viva.
As the competition moved to the Meadows on the Green for the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ tournament, Lamaze’s winning streak went with it. Sunday, June 16, featured the $390,000 CSI 5* Friends of the Meadows Grand Prix, presented by Rolex.
This time, Lamaze entered Fine Lady 5 in the 41-horse starting field. Seven riders, including three Olympic gold medalists, delivered clear rounds to advance to the jump-off over the course set by Canadian course designer, Michel Vaillancourt.
The final results were as close as it gets. Lamaze and Fine Lady 5, a 16-year-old Hanoverian mare (Forsyth x Drosselklang II), sped around the track in a time of 38.65 seconds to move to the top of the leaderboard. Canada’s Mario Deslauriers riding Amsterdam 27 then clocked in with a time of 38.67 seconds, just two hundredths of a second behind Lamaze. One hundredth of a second behind Deslauriers in a time of 38.68 seconds was the number one rider in the world, Guerdat riding Venard de Cerisy. U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Kent Farrington was fourth in 38.73 seconds riding Creedance while Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt was right behind him in 38.78 seconds to finish fifth riding CHE Fantastica.
“I have never seen an event where the riders were this close,” remarked Vaillancourt, the only Canadian show jumping athlete other than Lamaze to have won an individual Olympic medal, claiming silver at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
“It was a great jump-off; everybody in there knows how to go fast!” said Lamaze. “Anyone could have won today but my horse seems to jump the lowest in the air; she just skimmed the last fence. She jumps quite flat and lands carrying the speed. Some horses are more agile than others at being able to go fast, and it sure makes our lives easier. My horse deserves a lot of the credit.”
Despite her winning form, Lamaze is already thinking ahead to Fine Lady 5’s future.
“She’s 16 this year, and she’s been an incredible horse for me,” said Lamaze of his 2016 Rio Olympic individual bronze medal partner. “It’s hard to think retirement when you see her jumping like this, but I want to leave with her winning and feeling great about the sport. She deserves it.”
While proud of his many students who enjoyed victories during the first two weeks of the Spruce Meadows Summer Series, Lamaze credited his equine partners with keeping him motivated during his ongoing health struggles.
“This is our livelihood but we are very close to these animals and what they do for us,” said Lamaze, who is based in Brussels, Belgium. “The horses are a big part of why I am here today. I don’t know what level I will continue riding at as the year goes on but I know horses will always be a part of my life. I want to keep riding and I will keep fighting every day to do this. The horse is the greatest therapy you can have.”
Due to the uncertainty surrounding his health, Lamaze officially withdrew from consideration for the 2019 Pan American Games prior to the start of the Spruce Meadows ‘National’ tournament. Despite being a member of Canada’s gold medal team riding Coco Bongo at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, ON, Lamaze stated that he did not want to risk jeopardizing Canada’s chances of qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games through its performance in Lima, Peru.
PHOTO – Eric Lamaze scored an emotional win riding Chacco Kid in the $500,000 RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex, at the Spruce Meadows ‘National’ tournament.
PHOTO CREDIT – Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
PHOTO – Eric Lamaze and Chacco Kid are presented as the winners of the $500,000 RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex. Lamaze last claimed the grand prix title in 2010 riding Hickstead.
PHOTO CREDIT – Sportfot
PHOTO – Eric Lamaze claimed his second grand prix event in as many weeks, guiding Fine Lady 5 to victory in the $390,000 CSI5* Friends of the Meadows Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, to conclude the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ tournament.
PHOTO CREDIT – Sportfot