(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): When you’re hot, you’re hot, and Canada’s Eric Lamaze is hot right now.  With wins every night of the “National” he is on a streak.  Tonight was no different with a win in the ATCO Midstream Cup.

There were 62 horse/rider combinations in the $40,000 ATCO Midstream Cup.  The course featured 15 jumping efforts over 490 metres and course designer Werner Deeg (GER) allowed a tight time of 74 seconds.  There were 13 able to manoeuvre the course and move onto the jump-off round.

With his speedy 8 year-old mare, Coriana Van Klapscheut, Lamaze came across the finish line in 45.66 seconds.  “She’s really quick in the air, she’s just very fast,” said Lamaze of his mount. 

Not only quick but the little mare stands only 15.2 hands, a shadow of many of the International horses.  “We thought she might be too small but she has the quality in her and her heart is so good,” said Lamaze of Coriana Van Klapscheut.

That speed and heart, and the undeniable talent of the reigning Olympic champion took Lamaze to his third win of the Spruce Meadows “National” Tournament.  “I prepared for the last six weeks to peak here,” said the champion of the ATCO Midstream Cup.

ATCO Midstream Cup top 10 –

1-         Eric Lamaze                          CAN               Coriana Van Klapscheut

2-         Ashlee Bond                          USA                GZS Cassiara Z

3-         Jessica Springsteen          USA                Vornado Van Den Hoedrik

4-         Keean White                          CAN               Whisper of Mazour

5-         Sarah Ballou                          USA                Absie

6-         Jonathan Millar                     CAN               Piccobello Du Val De Geer

7-         Yann Candele                       CAN               Game Ready

8-         Kent Farrington                    USA                Uceko

9-         Taylor Land                           USA                Karonda V. Sch’hof CH

10-       Eric Lamaze                          CAN               Sidoline

With a first Spruce Meadows win on the line, Brianne Goutal (USA), put it all on the line in the RBC Capital Markets Winning Round.  With her 12 year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Ralvesther, Goutal looked like a Spruce Meadows champ.

The top 8 moved onto a winning round with a clean slate, it would take speed and a perfect round to win.  Goutal was joined in the jump-off by the nearly unbeatable Eric Lamaze on two mounts.  “It’s one thing when he has one horse but when he has two you’re just waiting to be beaten,” said Goutal.

She didn’t have to wait to be beaten after she put together a perfect second round in a time of 39.32 seconds.  It was a time even Lamaze couldn’t beat as Goutal won her first competition at Spruce Meadows.  “My mare was fantastic,” said Goutal.  “I got a little lucky, my mare has a bigger stride than his horse,” added the champion.

Big stride or not, Goutal now has her first win at Spruce Meadows, and beat the Olympic Champion on the way.  The young American is now looking forward to tomorrow’s TransCanada Parcours de Chasse.

RBC Capital Markets Winning Round top 10 –

1-         Brianne Goutal                      USA                Ralvesther

2-         Eric Lamaze                          CAN               Take Off

3-         Eric Lamaze                          CAN               Atlete Van T Heike

4-         Pedro Yrigoyen                     MEX               Gloconto

5-         Samantha Buirs                     CAN               Total Touch

6-         Marilyn Little-Meredith       USA                Blue Curacao

7-         Pablo Barrios                         VEN               G&C Blanchee Z

8-         Antonio Maurer                     MEX               Charro