Calgary, AB – What better way to start the Spruce Meadows “Continental” Tournament than with a win from Canada’s Olympic Champions Eric Lamaze and Hickstead.  The $60,000 Investors Group Cup featured 43 entries in the Table A speed competition.  But none was better than Lamaze with his speedy stallion.

The course was set by Olympic course designer, Leopoldo Palacios (VEN).  Palacios let the speed come out today, aiming to see who would take risks under the cool, wet conditions.  With his mount Hickstead, Lamaze knew he could be the best today.  “I know him very well in these type of speed competitions,” said Lamaze.

That speed and confidence paid off for the pair who blazed around the 16 jumping effort, 480 metre course, in 63.51 seconds.  Even in less than perfect conditions Lamaze and Hickstead were once again unstoppable.  “I knew exactly what I wanted to do,” said Lamaze.  “I just had to keep the pace,” added the champion of the Investors Group Cup. 

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