One of the Quebec native Francois Lamontagne’s most notable success stories is Lucy Davis’ Olympic and WEG mount, Barron, who was developed under Lamontagne as Undergroud des Hauts Droits. “I enjoy developing young horses and watching them progress,” he says. “Whether the horse is competing with me or another rider, I’m very proud when the horses I develop make their riders happy and bring them success. I do a lot of it myself because I enjoy it, but also because it has given me more independence. I am not waiting for an owner or a sponsor to have something to ride; I build my horses by myself from a young age.”

Lamontagne has his next star in his mare Chanel du Calvaire (Luccianno x Kashmir van Schuttershof). “She is a standout. She’s less easy and conventional then Undergroud, so not everyone believed in her when she was young,” he explains. “Being able to bring her to four Nations Cups so far and six CSIO five-star shows in 2018 is very rewarding as a rider. She’s only ten years old, so I expect to have many more good years competing with her.” He clearly has a soft spot for the mare, whom he says is his wife Elise’s favourite in the barn. “She’s also very talkative,” he says about the chatty equine. “When she’s at the show, the barn at home is very quiet.”

Although both his parents are doctors, Lamontagne never felt the pressure to pursue a more academically-minded career. He knew by the age of 15 that he wanted a life with horses and his parents asked only that he complete his high school education. They have been supporting him in his endeavours ever since. His business, Ferme Lamontagne in St. Eustache, QC, is a thriving operation with a mix of sales horses, training, and show ring clients. Lamontagne has also experienced success on the breeding side of the operation, with his brother Hubert competing the homebred Dalton in the 1.40m ring. “Seeing the success of that homebred and the fact that he shows potential to do even more makes me want to continue breeding in the future,” he says.

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