Eric Lamaze reigns supreme at Spruce Meadows

Eric Lamaze won the $1,000,000 CN International at the Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament Sept. 9. Photo by Cealy Tetley

Schomberg's Eric Lamaze became only the second Canadian in history to win the world's only million-dollar show jumping competition last Sunday.

As he was presented with a cheque for the $325,000 winner's share in the CN International at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Lamaze spoke to the crowd of more than 60,000 enthusiastic fans. He told them that his great mount, Hickstead, "loves to hear you make noise and clap over every jump."

As well, the 39-year-old Lamaze was treated like a rock star by autographseeking fans as he tried to leave the arena.

Lamaze's win came 20 years to the day after Canada's show jumping legend, Ian Millar, claimed his first of two victories in this competition. Although Millar's wins in 1987 and 1991 netted less money, it was the richest grand prix in the world at the time. Lamaze also earned a $50,000 rider bonus because his win was his second this season in the CN Precision series, giving him and Hickstead a combined payday of $375,000.

"That was the hardest course I've ever ridden," Lamaze said as he dismounted.

Course designer Leopoldo Palacios, of Caracas, Venezuela, who has also designed Olympic show jumping courses, said, "I plan this course the way I plan Olympic Games."

To earn his way to the winner's circle, Lamaze was the only entry out of 40 starters to jump two faultless rounds. The final round, which Lamaze said was by far the toughest, came down to a contest against World Champion Jos Lansink, of Holland; three-time winner of this grand prix Nick Skelton, of Great Britain; and nine other riders with world-class resumes. Second-place went to French Olympic veteran Hubert Bourdy on Toulon. Dutchman Jos Lansink claimed third on his World Championship-winning mount, Cumano.

Lamaze thought Palacios was right to make it so tough. "If you earn your way to the second round, you should be ready to play," he said.

"This was really one of the best classes in the world, and to win was great for Canada and great for me," said Lamaze. "This is a win I am going to remember for a long time!"

The CN International capped off a week full of success for Lamaze, who was also fault-free with Hickstead in the two-round $350,000 BMO Nations' Cup, helping Canada earn third place.

"It's been great the last few years, I've really been concentrating on my career and it is paying off now and for the future," explained Lamaze. "I've been traveling to Europe as much as I can to compete against the best in world. I'm going to go back to Europe for the month of October because it has really been paying off for both my young horses and for Hickstead, so it is something I am going to continue doing."

Lamaze came to Calgary fresh from a team silver and individual bronze medal performance at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, also on Hickstead. He is crediting his current success to experience that he and Hickstead gained by making a European tour last spring. His next outing with Hickstead will also be in Europe, beginning a fall tour in October in Brussels.

Lamaze will also be appearing this week at the annual Tournament of Champions in nearby Palgrave.