Source:  News Release

 

 

Lamaze Shows No Mercy

(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): Day four of FEI international competition at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” began with the Suncor Energy Winning Round. Riders had to qualify in competitions earlier in the week in order to compete in this competition.

Rick George, President and CEO, Suncor Energy, presents Eric Lamaze with the winner’s cheque. Photo credit: Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Even though 11 riders jumped clear in the first round of the Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) designed course, only the top 8 returned for the second, winning round.

Rising star Caitlin Zeigler put in a strong ride and was sitting in first place when the final rider walked onto the course. Eric Lamaze, her trainer and mentor was that final rider. Eric showed his student no mercy when he and Coriana van Klapscheut attacked the course and ran away with the $24,000 win. Ziegler and Belgian warm blood mare, Valencia, picked up second place.


The record crowd of over 79,000 fans was treated to a spectacular day of competition with the BMO Nations’ Cup. 10 teams competed for National supremacy and bragging rights over the course designed by Leopoldo Palacios (VEN). Six teams moved forward to the second round, Switzerland, Netherlands, Great Britain, Canada, France and Mexico.


Team France came into the Nation’s Cup carrying a lot pressure. They dropped a horse from the team before leaving Europe, so with a team of three, they kept their expectations realistic. “The pressure was great from the start with a team of three.” stated Thierry Pomel, the French Chef d’Equipe. “All of the riders on our team are good riders with very good horses. Jerome Hurel and Marc Dilasser have experience and of course, there is “Bosty”. He smiled referring to Roger-Yves Bost. “Bosty is always the same.” Team France came away with the gold medal and Team Canada the silver.

 

Suncor Energy Winning Round – Top 10

1-Eric Lamaze                          CAN                Coriana Van Klapscheut

2-Caitlin Ziegler                        USA                Valencia

3-Richard Spooner                   USA                Billy Bianca

4-Harrie Smolders                    NED                Exquis Walnut de Muze

5-Gert Jan Bruggink                 NED                MCB Ulke

6-Niels Bruynseels                    BEL                 Conisha Van De Helle

7-Stephanie Van Den Brink      NED                Wapper

8-Tiffany Foster                        CAN                Victor

9-Andreas Kreuzer                   GER                 Jumex Sport Atlantus

10-Kirsten Coe                        USA                Baronez