Lamaze Tops $60,000 Investors Group Cup

Calgary, AB – What better way to start the Spruce Meadows “Continental” Tournament than with a win from Canada’s Olympic Champions Eric Lamaze and Hickstead. The $60,000 Investors Group Cup featured 43 entries in the Table A speed competition. But none was better than Lamaze with his speedy stallion.

The course was set by Olympic course designer, Leopoldo Palacios (VEN). Palacios let the speed come out today, aiming to see who would take risks under the cool, wet conditions. With his mount Hickstead, Lamaze knew he could be the best today. “I know him very well in these type of speed competitions,” said Lamaze.

That speed and confidence paid off for the pair who blazed around the 16 jumping effort, 480 metre course, in 63.51 seconds. Even in less than perfect conditions Lamaze and Hickstead were once again unstoppable. “I knew exactly what I wanted to do,” said Lamaze. “I just had to keep the pace,” added the champion of the Investors Group Cup.

The win in the Investors Group Cup continues what has been an outstanding season for Lamaze. With the win he now edges closer to Beezie Madden (USA) for second place on the All Time Money Won list at Spruce Meadows. The Canadian has now earned $2,484,882 in his career at Spruce Meadows.

Investors Group Cup Top 10 –

1. Eric Lamaze – CAN – Hickstead

2. Jill Henselwood – CAN – Bottom Line

3. Leslie Howard – USA – Lennox Lewis 2

4. Yann Candele – CAN – Pitareusa

5. Rodrigo Pessoa – BRA – HH Rebozo

6. Karl Cook – USA – Uno De Laubry

7. Katie McVean – NZL – Delphi

8. Lauren Tisbo – USA – Crème Brule

9. Merilyn Little-Meredith – USA – Blue Curacao

10. Eduardo Menezes – BRA – Percynality

Next up for Lamaze and Hickstead will be the CN Performance World Cup Grand Prix on Sunday. With a win in the second leg of the CN Precision Series, Lamaze will also win a $50,000 bonus. The CN Performance is the one Spruce Meadows major that has eluded Lamaze in his career.

The 35th Anniversary season continues tomorrow with the Husky Energy Cup in the Meadows On the Green Ring. Parking and admission are complimentary for the Spruce Meadows “Continental” Tournament.