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Unstoppable Lamaze

July 10, 2010

Spruce Meadows, Calgary, AB --- There was more than a win on the line for Canada’s Eric Lamaze in today’s ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup. First place in the $200,000 Grand Prix would also mean a second win in the CN Precision Series and a $50,000 bonus. That money would move Lamaze up the All Time Prize Money Won list at Spruce Meadows, into second place. He would also be the only person to win the coveted ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup three times.

That is a lot of pressure sitting on the shoulders of one person. But the ability to succeed under pressure is one thing the separates the great from the rest. Standing in the way of his goal were, 40 of the best horse/rider combinations in the world.

FEI course designer, Guilherme Jorge (CAN), had two rounds to design, along with a jump-off course. “I had a very nice first round, and I had a nice track for the jump-off that would give us an exciting jump-off,” said Jorge.

The twelve best from the first round moved onto a second round course. That course featured 13 jumping efforts, over a track of 465 metres with a time allowed of 70 seconds. With five of the 12 moving onto the jump-off, course designer Jorge felt he might have gone too easy. “I maybe got a little caught up thinking about the jump-off because I’m not happy with the second round,” said Jorge.

Happy or not, the jump-off was exciting to the very end. Lamaze and his 14 year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion, Hickstead pressed around the course with a finishing time of 46.17 seconds. It was a fast time, but not one Lamaze was sure would hold with the last entry, Mario Deslauriers (USA) coming behind him.

“Mario’s a fast rider, and Urico’s an incredible horse. I knew if he left all the rails up he would win,” said Lamaze. The script was written. Deslauriers was over a second faster then Lamaze at the intermediate time. As Deslauriers paced to the final fence it was clear his time would be faster. Perhaps too eager, Deslauriers and his 9 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Urico pulled the final rail.

It was meant to be Lamaze’s day, winning the $200,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup, for a record third time, along with a $50,000 bonus in the CN Precision Series. To Lamaze the win means more than what will be written in the history books, it is a win he shares with his partner Hickstead. “I don’t’ think there’s going to be another Hickstead, let’s face it. You get one horse like that in your career,” said Lamaze. “You have a horse like that and it changes your career.”

There isn’t much left for Lamaze to prove in his career. But with a deep barn of horses he is sure to remain at the top.

ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup top 10 –

1- Eric Lamaze CAN Hickstead

2- Brianne Goutal USA Onira

3- Mario Deslauriers USA Urico

4- Ashlee Bond USA Chivas Z

5- Rodrigo Pessoa BRA HH Rebozo

6- Michelle Spadone USA Melisimo

7- Guy Thomas NZL Peterbilt

8- Keean White CAN Celena Z

9- Will Simpson USA Black Cherry

10- Jessica Springsteen USA Vornado Van Den Hoendrik

International Ring competition began at Spruce Meadows today with the TD Cup. The Table C speed competition, which converts faults into time, had 24 horse/rider combinations take to the field. It was Karl Cook (USA) who proved himself as the one to beat in the $75,000 TD Cup.

Course designer, Guilherme Jorge (BRA), set a course that would allow for speed, while still testing the riders with natural obstacles, heights and distances. There were 17 jumping efforts over the 720 metres of track.

The laid back 19 year-old from Woodside, California, Karl Cook, took to the ring on his 15 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Notories Utopia. Cook who considers himself a true California kid, turned up the competitive instinct when he took to the ring.

“I’m pretty relaxed off my horses, but when I get into the ring I’m really competitive,” said Cook. That competitive edge put the pair across the finish line in 86.72 seconds. “You focus on where you can go forward and home the distances you see are jumpable,” explained Cook of his fast time.

That time was good enough for first in today’s TD Cup. It was Cook’s first ever FEI win in the Spruce Meadows International Ring, where he placed first earlier in the season in the ATCO Structures & Logistics Double Slalom. “It’s been amazing, I love having the crowds yelling as you go around,” said Cook after his second International Ring victory.

TD Cup Top 10 –

1- Karl Cook USA Notories Utopia

2- Henri Kovacs HUN The Real Deal

3- Guy Thomas NZL Carino

4- Rodrigo Pessoa BRA Cazino

5- Chris Pratt CAN G5

6- Pablo Barrios VEN G&C Lepanto

7- Pablo Barrios VEN G&C Leroy

8- Brian Morton CAN Spitfire

9- Kelly Koss CAN Carlos Don Benito

10- Kent Farrington USA Samar

Spruce Meadows continues their 35th Anniversary season continues on tomorrow with the “North America” Tournament. Competition begins in the International Ring at 11:00 am with the Sun Life Financial Reach for the Sun, which is followed by the $175,000 Mercedes-Benz Classic Derby.

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