Canadian Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze has welcomed a new show jumping prospect for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games to his barn. Idalville d’Esprit, an 11-year-old bay Belgian Warmblood gelding (Carabas v/d Wateringhoeve x Nabab de Reve), was purchased for Lamaze by Chris and Thea Stinnett of Heathman Farm and will be owned in partnership with Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable.
Idalville d’Esprit was campaigned for three seasons by Swiss amateur Aurélie Rytz, now 20, including at the 2018 European Young Rider Championship. Professional rider Alain Jufer, also of Switzerland, took over the reins this spring and the pair recently jumped double clear to place seventh in the €275,000 1.60m Grand Prix at CSI5* Ascona, Switzerland. The horse was purchased for Lamaze through well-known Swiss horse dealer Gian-Battista Lutta.
After meeting through associates of global real estate giant, Engel & Völkers, Chris and Thea Stinnett stepped forward to support Lamaze. The purchase of Idalville d’Esprit further strengthens Lamaze’s string of international contenders, with the horse being aimed towards next summer’s Tokyo Olympics.