Eric Lamaze to Undergo Surgery

Source:  Starting Gate Communications/Jennifer Ward
Aachen, Germany – Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, will undergo surgery on his left foot on Tuesday, July 20.

Lamaze, 42, broke a bone in his left foot while competing in the first round of the €350,000 Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen on Sunday, July 18, in Aachen, Germany. Lamaze said he heard a crack and felt pain upon landing after the ‘c’ element of the triple combination. Lamaze and his Olympic gold medal partner, Hickstead, went on to complete two clean rounds before advancing to the jump-off where they again jumped clear in the fastest time to win the €350,000 Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen over Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer.

“They are going to operate tomorrow and put some screws in it,” said Lamaze. “This is the more aggressive approach; it is the fastest way to come back. It should take two to three weeks to heal. Luckily, it was a clean break.”

As a result, Lamaze will not compete as planned at CSI5* Chantilly, France, from July 23 to 27 and CSI5* San Patrignano, Italy, from July 30 to August 1. He hopes to be back for CSI5* Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, from August 13 to 15. From there, he will compete at CSIO5* Gijon, Spain, from August 31 to September 5 before returning to Canada the following week for the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament in Calgary, AB. Lamaze then hopes to represent Canada at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, from September 25 to October 10.

Lamaze’s injury comes following a phenomenal winning streak that included winning the $200,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup on July 10 at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, AB, before claiming the €350,000 Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen one week later. Also in July, it was announced that Lamaze returned to the number one position on the Rolex World Rider Rankings, and had taken over top spot on the Spruce Meadows all-time money list with earnings in excess of $2.7 million at the Calgary venue alone.