Lamaze named CAVALOR Athlete of the Month for September

Eric Lamaze of Schomberg was the clear choice for September's CAVALOR Athlete of the Month title after becoming the second Canadian to win the world's richest Grand Prix, the $1 million CN International, held Sept. 9 at the CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament in Calgary.

Lamaze enjoyed a $325,000 payday after being the only rider from a field of 39 starters to lay down double clear rounds over a difficult track built by Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. Lamaze was riding Hickstead, an 11- year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Torrey Pines and Ashland Stables Inc.

"This was really one of the best classes in the world, and to win was great for Canada and great for me," said Lamaze, who was the first Canadian to claim the CN International since Ian Millar's wins in 1987 and 1991 riding Big Ben on both occasions. "This is a win I am going to remember for a long time!"

The $1 million CN International capped off a successful week for Lamaze, who was also fault-free with Hickstead in Saturday's 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 who, in July, claimed Team Silver and Individual Bronze Medals at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "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."

As the CAVALOR Athlete of the Month,, Lamaze received a gift certificate from the title sponsor CAVALOR.