Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, continued his unprecedented winning streak by claiming the €100,000 Grand Prix of Barcelona on September 23 at CSIO5* Barcelona, Spain. The win comes five days after Lamaze and Hickstead claimed their second career victory in the $1 million CN International at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament in Calgary, Canada.
Riding Atlete Van’t Heike, Lamaze was the only rider from 45 entries to post two perfect clear rounds to win the €100,000 1.60m Grand Prix of Barcelona. Spain’s Rutherford Latham placed second after incurring two time faults with Nectar du Plessis while Carlos Ribas of Brazil took third with four faults riding Ronaldo. In addition to prize money, Lamaze won a brand new vehicle from Spanish automobile manufacturer SEAT for his victory.
“Atlete is a horse that is really scopey and can do most of the grand prix classes, but she has been in the background a bit behind Hickstead,” said Lamaze of the 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Artisan Farms and his Torrey Pines Stable. “Tonight she had a chance to step into the spotlight.”
Ranked number one in the Rolex Rider Rankings, Lamaze has now claimed victory in four CSIO5* Grand Prix events with wins in La Baule, France; Rome, Italy; Calgary, Canada and now Barcelona.
Lamaze is competing at CSIO5* Barcelona as a member of the Canadian Show Jumping Team. On Sunday, Lamaze and his teammates Jill Henselwood, Chris Pratt and Jenna Thompson will contest the FEI Nations’ Cup Promotional League Final. Last year, Lamaze was named to the Canadian Team with Atlete Van’t Heike for the Promotional League Final, but was unable to compete due to a broken bone in his foot. In a gracious display of sportsmanship, Lamaze allowed Yann Candele to ride Atlete Van’t Heike so that Canada could field a full team, which went on to place second.
Lamaze’s student, 16-year-old Caitlin Ziegler of Mequon, WI, is also competing at CSIO5* Barcelona. On Saturday, she will contest the €65,000 1.55m Longines Cup with Herald 3, a 13-year-old Holsteiner stallion owned by Artisan Farms.
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