For a record fifth time, Andy and Carlene Ziegler’s Artisan Farms LLC has been named the recipient of the JC Owner of the Year Award.
The Ziegler family has been an integral part of the Canadian Show Jumping Team for nearly a decade, with its Artisan Farms providing world-class horses for Canadian Olympians, Tiffany Foster and Eric Lamaze.
In 2017, Foster and Lamaze continued to excel on the world stage aboard Artisan Farms’ horses. Lamaze had an exceptionally strong start to the season at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL, picking up three wins in January alone.
Paired with Houston (Heartbreaker x Corofino), a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion, he won the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round III during WEF III. Riding his individual bronze medal partner from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Fine Lady 5 (Forsyth x Drosselklang II), a 14-year-old Hanoverian mare, Lamaze also took top honours in the CSI 3* Adequan Grand Prix that same week, before adding the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round V to his record during WEF V.
Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 went on to claim the €93,000 Massimo Dutti Trophy CSI 5*, held as part of the Global Champions Tour in Mexico City, MEX in April. The pair’s success continued into the summer, when they defended their title in the €100,000 Turkish Airlines Prize of Europe at the prestigious CHIO Aachen in Germany in July.
In September, Lamaze joined the Canadian Show Jumping Team for a fourth-place finish in the $400,000 BMO Nations’ Cup at the CSIO 5* Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament in Calgary, AB riding Coco Bongo, the 12-year-old Rheinlander gelding (Caretino x Calido) that was his team gold medal partner at the 2015 Pan American Games.
“Every horse develops on its own schedule and in its own time, and it’s really important to have owners who understand the process and are patient,” said Lamaze. “The Zieglers are wonderful that way, and really understand the sport. A lot of the time we invest years and the owners invest time and money into bringing these horses along, so it’s nice when you finally get there.”
Foster also saw her share of success with Artisan Farms’ horses in 2017. This year marked the eighth season she has partnered with Victor, a 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Elmshorn x Grandeur). Together, they led the Canadian Show Jumping Team to third place in the CSIO 4* $100,000 FEI Nations’ Cup in Ocala, FL in February, and also picked up a win in the $86,000 Suncast Classic during the CSI 5* WEF IV with Andy and Carlene Ziegler cheering them on.
“They are the best owners in the world, and it’s nice to be able to do well when they are there,” said Foster. “They never put too much pressure on us, and I think it makes us try even harder for them. I was really happy that Victor and I could deliver on a day when they were both there.”
Foster has also spent the past few seasons bringing along Brighton (Contendro II x Quick Star) to the elite level. In 2017 she guided the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding to his Nations’ Cup debut in Langley, BC, helping the team capture second and secure its berth for the Longines FEI Nations’ Cup Final in Barcelona.
“I am very proud to be able to put Brighton’s name on the list of Artisan-owned horses that have competed for Canada,” said Foster. “They have been so supportive of Eric and myself, and I think that’s something that is really important to recognize.”
Both Foster and Lamaze traveled to the Longines FEI Nations’ Cup Final in September with horses owned by Artisan Farms. Foster rode her 2016 Rio Olympic teammate, Tripple X III, a 15-year-old Anglo European stallion (Namelus R x Cantango), while Lamaze rode Coco Bongo. They helped Canada produce a faultless effort in the opening round and finish in eighth overall.
“We are able to do this because we have such great horses and have such great owners in Andy and Carlene Ziegler,” said Foster. “They really allow us to take our time and develop these horses. That’s a big deal for Canada, and I am really looking forward to the future with the young horses we have coming up.”
Foster accepted the 2017 JC Owner of the Year award on behalf of Artisan Farms LLC on Nov. 8 at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON.
EC is grateful for the level of dedication, commitment and support that owners generously provide in order to ensure that CET athletes have access to world-class horses, and is pleased to recognize exceptional owners through the JC Owner of the Year Award. To view past recipients, click here.
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