Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, moved to the top of the leader board on Friday night to qualify for the ‘Final Four’ that will contest the World Championship title at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.

With two clear rounds, Lamaze and Hickstead, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Ashland Stables and Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable, moved from fourth to first place in the standings. A total of 121 competitors started the World Championship event, which began Monday.

“The scores were so tight, one rail and you could be out of it,” said Lamaze, 43, of Friday night’s individual competition. “I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I can almost start to enjoy it!”

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