Ottawa, Ontario-Equine Canada has named Eric Lamaze the 2007 Equine Canada Equestrian of the Year.
Eric has earned this award for being one of the most prominent show jumping riders in Canada. After winning $1,000,000 CN International Grand Prix at the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament in Calgary and recording all his numerous show jumping victories throughout 2007, Lamaze is currently the highest ranked Canadian show jumping rider, sitting in seventh place, in the FEI Rolex world rankings.
Earning seventh place in the world ranking was not Lamaze’s only success in 2007. He was a member of the Canadian Equestrian Team that won CN Wellington Open Nations’ Cup at Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, Florida for the second year in a row. Lamaze was also been named the Circuit Grand Champion with the most cumulated points during the Wellington Equestrian Festival Circuit in 2007.
In addition to these top honours, Lamaze was selected to represented Canada in the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he helped his team win a silver medal, and secured the bronze medal as an individual. The team silver medal assured Canada of a spot for the Canadian Show Jumping Team at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong.
For two months in a role Lamaze was also named as the Jump Canada CAVALOR ‘Athlete of the Month’ in 2007 for his outstanding accomplishments in competition.
Lamaze was born in Montreal, QC, and now lives in Schomberg, ON. From a modest background, he had to work very hard to get to where he is today, and has never forgotten it. During the Pan American Games, he gave his unconditional support to all of his teammates.
“I am honoured to be named Equine Canada Equestrian of the year,” remarked Lamaze. “Winning this award is a great way to cap off such a great 2007 season.”
At the Equine Canada Annual Awards Gala on February 9, 2008 in Calgary, Alberta, Lamaze will be awarded the Doctor George Jacobsen Trophy created in honour of the man who founded the Canadian Equestrian Federation in 1977. Dr. Jacobsen was a strong supporter of equestrian sport in Canada and internationally, with a particular interest in the young equestrians as he felt they were our future team members. To be eligible for this award, the rider must demonstrate superior sportsmanship, dedication and the pursuit of excellence in equestrian competition.
A true example of each of these qualities, Equine Canada is proud to name Eric Lamaze the 2007 Equestrian of the Year.
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