Source:  News Release

Happy Ending for Lamaze

Eric Lamaze and Hickstead, winners of the great CN International. Photo credit: Spruce Meadows Media Services.

(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): A record crowd of 89,632 came out to watch the last day of jumping at the 2011 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ tournament. It was the richest day of show jumping on the FEI calendar.

The one million dollar CN International got underway with 35 horse/rider combinations competing for the top 12 spots to advance to the second round.

The first round, a 580 meter course designed by Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), only saw 2 clear rounds. Nineteen year old Martin Fuchs (SUI) and 43 year old Eric Lamaze (CAN) went clear, leading the way into round two.

Lamaze and his 15 year old dutch warmblood stallion Hickstead took home the champion’s cooler with the only double clear round of the day.

With his win, Lamaze also won a CN Precision Series bonus of $50,000. “When you’re riding the best horse in the world, it makes a big difference” said Lamaze after winning a total of $385,000. “This is a very special win for me. Winning at Spruce Meadows is always a bit more special.”

The CN International was the final event for the FEI Spruce Meadows tournament season.

CN International – top 10

1-Eric Lamaze                          CAN                Hickstead

2-Niels Bruynseels                    BEL                 Nasa

3-Martin Fuchs                         SUI                  Principal 12

4-Khaled Al Eid                       KSA                Presley Boy

5-Satiago Lambre                     MEX                Insul Tech Wonami Van Den Aard

6-Peter Charles                        GBR                Murkas Vindicat W

7-Wout Jan Van Der Schans    NED                Eurocommerce Seoul

8-Ludo Philippaerts                  BEL                 Kassini Jac

9-Gert Jan Bruggink                 NED                Primeval Wings

10-Jerome Hurel                      FRA                 OHM De Ponthual