Canadian entrepreneur Mark Rein and his wife, Tara, have partnered with Canadian Olympic champion Eric Lamaze in acquiring three prospects for the international show jumping market.
The Reins have purchased Gatrona, a nine-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood mare (Canturano x Numero Uno) currently competing at the 1.45m level that was discovered by Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable on a recent European buying trip; Egelund’s Miss Unique, an eight-year-old bay Danish Warmblood mare (Numero Uno x Cajus) from Stephen Conter’s Stephex Stables of Belgium; and Huriosa, an eight-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood mare (Cardento x Furioso II) found through British-based horse agent Lexi Carter.
Mark is the vice-president and co-founder of Epic Games Inc, the video game and software development company that makes the popular game Fortnite. He is a big fan of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and until late last year he and Tara were among the group of co-owners.
Originally from Toronto, Mark now resides with his family in Raleigh, North Carolina, where the headquarters of Epic Games is located. The couple met Lamaze over 30 years ago when he was living and training in the Schomberg, ON, area, where Tara (formerly Dow) grew up riding and showing. The Reins have three teenage children, two of which ‒ Cassidy and Carly ‒ show on the busy Tryon hunter circuit. Tara also owns a few jumpers that are shown there by fellow Canadian Harold Chopping.
Tara and Mark Rein.
“Not only is Eric a great rider, he is fantastic at finding quality horses and training them to the top level,” said Mark. “We reconnected recently, and he explained his business philosophy around buying quality horses, putting time into their training, and developing them for the international market. I was very interested in partnering with him and told him if he happens to find his 2024 Olympic horse along the way as well, we’re all for it!”
“I can’t thank Mark and Tara enough for getting involved at the top level of our sport,” said Lamaze, who claimed individual gold and team silver medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as an individual bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. “These are three horses that we will develop for the highest levels of our sport. In addition to investing, Mark and Tara are also interested in the idea of keeping a top horse for Canada in the future. As a fellow Canadian, I’m especially thankful to have their support.”
With bases in Wellington, Florida, and Brussels, Belgium, Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable is a large training and sales business specializing in international sport horse sales. Lamaze and the Torrey Pines team will be competing in Wellington, FL, for the remainder of the winter season before returning to their European base outside Brussels, Belgium, in April.
Watch videos here:
Gatrona:
https://www.facebook.com/GCTofficialpage/videos/494623091094043/?v=494623091094043
Huriosa:
https://www.facebook.com/stoeterijsprengendal/videos/420198435307397/?v=420198435307397
Egelund’s Miss Unique:
https://www.facebook.com/robin.grauffjacobsen/videos/10155851622752587/?q=Egelund%E2%80%99s%20Miss%20Unique&epa=SEARCH_BOX
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