Lamaze overtakes lead in Canadian League World Cup standings

Eric Lamaze and Hickstead overtook the lead in the Canadian League World Cup Standings at the recent $70,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier.

King resident Eric Lamaze overtook the lead in the Canadian League World Cup Standings following his win in the $70,000 Grand Prix Jumping du Quebec World Cup Qualifier, held July 9 at the CSI-W Blainville Jumping International in Blainville, Quebec.

Lamaze, recently named to Canada's Team heading to the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany in August, paired up with his WEG mount, the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Hickstead, co-owned by Torrey Pines Stable and Ashland Stables Inc. The duo topped the field of 35 horse/rider combinations, of which nine advanced to the jump-off, to earn their current total of 20 qualifying points.

It will be Lamaze's fourth consecutive World Championship appearance.

Margie Gayford of Sharon is tied for second place after enjoying an early lead. In the $100,000 CN Performance World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix held June 18 at the Spruce Meadows "Continental" Tournament in Calgary, Gayford placed fifth. Riding Stuntman, a 10-yearold Hanoverian gelding owned by Shawn Littler, Gayford earned nine qualifying points at the "Continental", and earned an additional 10 after placing 11th in Blainville.

Eric Lamaze rode Narcotique de Muze II to victory in the $20,000 Open Welcome Stake at the 'Kubota' Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament in Ottawa recently

Also sitting on 19 points in the standings is Erynn Ballard of Hillsburgh, who claimed third at Blainville. Ballard added 17 to the previous two points she had earned in the $100,000 CN Performance World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix. Her mount for both classes was the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Robin van Roosendael, owned by Looking Back Farm.

In fourth position is Lamaze's WEG teammate, Chris Pratt of Belfountain, who has earned 15 points riding Rivendell, an 11-yearold Westphalian gelding owned by Susan Grange. Holding down fifth place is John Pearce of Stouffville, who has 13 points with Archie Bunker.

And the winning continues.

A couple of days later, Lamaze remained calm and cool in the face of sweltering heat to claim victory in the $60,000 'Kubota' Big Ben Memorial Grand Prix at the 'Kubota' Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament. The international equestrian event was held July 12-16 at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa.

In fact, Lamaze had two shots at the title, qualifying both Ronaldo and Hickstead for the jump-off. While he was clear in a time of 46.86 seconds riding Ronaldo to take the lead, he returned to the grand prix ring with Hickstead, blistering around the course in a time 45.31 seconds to best himself and claim victory, cheered on by 4,000 show jumping fans.

"Ronaldo was very quick, but he is only eight years old and not that experienced yet," said Lamaze, 38, who claimed the $17,000 winner's cheque as well as $11,000 for second place. "He was clear which is what you want, you want those coming after you to have to chase you. Hickstead on the other hand is a very fast horse, and he is ready for the World Championships."

Pratt, 37, was clear in the jump-off in a time of 48.85 seconds riding Rivendell.

"I just tried to be efficient and stay safe," said Pratt who placed fourth in last year's event. "I know Rivendell can go faster than he went today, but with the World Championships coming up, I just wanted to keep him jumping at his best, and give him confidence."

Lauren Hunkin enjoyed the best result of her young career, placing fourth with Orleans, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Based in Perth and training with eight-time Olympian Ian Millar (13th in the event), Hunkin was pleased with her results despite having a rail down in the jump-off.

"It was quite a course and wonderful fun!" smiled Hunkin, 26, of the 1.60m course set by Conrad Homfeld, one of five course designers being considered for the 2008 Olympic Games. "Following Chris and Eric into the ring, the plan was to keep it smooth."

On top of that, Lamaze came out in first place in the $20,000 Open Welcome Stake at the 'Kubota' Classic.

A total of 41 horse-rider combinations attempted the first round track set by Conrad Homfeld with 10 successfully passing the test to advance to the all-deciding jump-off.

Lamaze had two chances to win this one as well, qualifying both Ronaldo and Narcotique de Muze II for the jump-off. While Lamaze was clear with his first ride, Ronaldo, in a time of 48.96 seconds, his time was overtaken by Pearce, who was the next rider on course. He stopped the clock at 47.39 seconds, riding Urioso. The lead then changed hands again as American Olympic Gold Medallist Chris Kappler took to the field riding VDL Oranta, whizzing around the course in a time of 46.04 seconds. Lamaze was not to be outdone, however, and raced around in a time of 44.98 seconds to thrill the crowd that had gathered for the evening's event. His time would prove to be unbeatable, although two top competitors, Pratt and France's Yann Candele, both took tumbles in the process of trying, resulting in elimination. In both cases, horse and rider were not seriously injured.

"I don't think Yann realized just how fast he was going," said Lamaze, who employs the Frenchman at his Torrey Pines Stables in Schomberg. "He had me on the time by quite a lot, but when you take chances, anything can happen."

A total of five horses in the jump-off came from Lamaze's stable his own two mounts, plus Candele's horse Tyra, Ashley Fleischhacker's Uncle Sam who placed fifth, and Sydney Vince of Milton, who finished seventh with Uno.