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L'Amazing: A photo tribute to Eric Lamaze's epic career

Wednesday, 13 April 2022
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Photo © Dirk Caremans / www.hippofoto.be

On the 31st of March 2022, 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze announced that his illustrious showjumping career had come to an end. “It’s with great sadness that I am making this decision,” said Lamaze, 53, about retiring from showjumping competition. “There’s a part of me that feels really upset that I’ve been battling cancer with the hope of riding again and I’m crushed that that won’t be the case. I’ve always said that I will retire under my own terms when the time is right. The situation with my health has forced me to make the decision earlier than I had envisioned, but the silver lining is that I still have the will to win and can contribute to the Canadian team and the sport I love through my new role as chef d’equipe."

Lamaze has had an incredible career; in 2008 he won individual gold and team silver with the legendary Hickstead at the Olympic Games in Beijing, while at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio he took the individual bronze with Fine Lady 5. Lamaze also competed at seven consecutive World Equestrian Games between the years of 1994 and 2018, winning an individual bronze medal at the 2010 edition in Kentucky, where Hickstead was honoured with the title ‘Best Horse’. Lamaze also represented Canada in five consecutive Pan American Games and led Canada to the team gold medal on home soil in Toronto in 2015 together with Coco Bongo. 

During his career, Lamaze was ranked number one in the world on several occasions, jumped in six World Cup Finals, and won nearly every major Grand Prix title around the world – including two of the most prestigious of all; Aachen in 2010 and the CN International at Spruce Meadows in 2007 and 2011 with Hickstead.  

In 2021, Lamaze was awarded the Order of Sport, and he and Hickstead were inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

With this photo special, we celebrate Eric Lamaze’s career – with contributions from several of our photography colleagues and friends from across the world, who have sent us some of their favourite photographs of the Canadian legend alongside a small note. 

Thanks to Dirk Caremans, Cealy Tetley, MacKenzie Clark, Arnd Bronkhorst, Erin Gilmore, Ken Braddick, Kit Houghton, Jessica Rodrigues, Leanjo de Koster, Stefano Grasso, Stefan Lafrentz as well as Starting Gate Communications’ Jennifer Ward and Simon Stafford for all the fantastic photos!

Dirk Caremans (Belgium)

I chose this photo because I love emotions in a picture and I would give money to know what Eric was thinking in that moment.

Photo © Dirk Caremans / www.hippofoto.be.

I chose this photo as it shows the determination of both Eric and Hickstead.

Photo © Dirk Caremans / www.hippofoto.be.

Cealy Tetley (Canada)

This podium shot from the 2008 Olympic Games is special for the look on Eric's face and the tear in his eye.

Photo © Cealy Tetley / www.tetleyphoto.com.

The jumping shot I chose because it is Eric and Hickstead at their best. So together as a team and of course, at the Olympic Games. 

Photo © Cealy Tetley / www.tetleyphoto.com.

MacKenzie Clark (Canada)

Eric and Fine Lady 5 win the first international class of the 2019 Royal Winter Fair. Eric looks up with emotion as he receives a standing ovation and the national anthem is played to celebrate his win, followed by a tribute to the incomparable Hickstead.

Photo © MacKenzie Clark / www.mackenzieclarkphoto.com.

“Dinner and a Show”: Full house at The 2019 Royal Winter Fair. The home crowd is eager to see Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 in action! 

Photo © MacKenzie Clark / www.mackenzieclarkphoto.com.

Arnd Bronkhorst (The Netherlands)

One of the first times I photographed Eric was in Wellington in 2006. I like the way he looks, a little boyish and cheeky.

Photo © Arnd Bronkhorst / www.arnd.nl.

The most famous story is Eric and Hickstead. To me, the fighting spirit with which they conquered obstacles was breathtaking to see and photograph, here in Aachen.

Photo © Arnd Bronkhorst / www.arnd.nl.

Eric made his horses jump beautifully, and this image from Tryon shows that. A joy to see, when Eric is in the arena something magical can always happen.

Photo © Arnd Bronkhorst / www.arnd.nl

Erin Gilmore (USA)

I first saw the bond between Eric and Tiffany during the 2012 Olympics, when Eric defended Tiffany after her disqualification during a heated press conference. For the next eight years, I photographed these two side by side countless times, celebrating happier moments and partnerships.

Photo © Erin Gilmore / www.eringilmorephotos.com.

During one of Eric's winningest seasons at the Winter Equestrian Festival, it seemed that he was in almost every prizegiving. It gave me many chances to be creative photographing him riding up to the ingate, and the timing of this shot just worked out well with his sponsor, Rolex, in the background.

Photo © Erin Gilmore / www.eringilmorephotos.com.

When Nick Skelton won gold at the Rio Olympics, Eric was as happy for him as anyone else, despite having been edged out of the top spot. Their walk together up to the Olympic podium was the one of the strongest shows of partnership between riders of two nations that I've ever photographed.

Photo © Erin Gilmore / www.eringilmorephotos.com.

World of Showjumping.com, by Jenny Abrahamsson (Sweden)

I will never forget Eric’s happy and proud face when applauding his superstar Hickstead for becoming Best Horse at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010. Here congratulated by the newly-crowned world champion Philippe Le Jeune. 

Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson / www.worldofshowjumping.com.

When thinking of Lamaze's sporting career, the first thing that comes to my mind is his inspiring fighting spirit at every show, in every class and at every fence. Here with Chacco Kid in Rome. 

Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson / www.worldofshowjumping.com.

I think this photo is a good summary of Eric's amazing career. Always in the middle with the best of the best, in front of a huge crowd and with total focus on the next challenge. Here in the top four final with the horse rotation at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010, where Eric already had turned his focus to the next horse to ride before even getting off Le Jeune's Vigo d'Arsouilles. 

Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson / www.worldofshowjumping.com.

Ken Braddick (USA)

First favorite, 2008 Olympic gold: 

The sheer joy and obvious love of life is epitomized by Eric’s gold medal at the 2008 Olympics. The day after we were stuck in Hong Kong because of a typhoon and we sat in the hotel bar just talking. Don’t recall that we even discussed the Olympics. Canada’s 1968 Olympic team gold surpassed the silver the nation won in Hong Kong, but nothing matched the individual gold for the remarkable partnership of Eric and Hickstead. 

Second favorite:

Eric Lamaze wearing the green and gold Rolex arm band as the top ranked jumper rider in the world on Coriana Van Klapscheut at the 2011 Pan American Games. Although he was the no. 1 rider in the world and at the peak of his career, Eric competed on Canada’s team at the continental championships for the prestige of his country. 

Photos © Ken Braddick / www.dressage-news.com.

Kit Houghton (Great Britain)

This photo of Eric Lamaze and Hickstead is from the Beijing Olympics, taken in the final round when Eric won gold. Just seems to sum up the Olympics and pleased to have this nice remote shot as we had enormous difficulties using remotes as the signal to the cameras kept being jammed so went and bought a very long lead in downtown Hong Kong to connect directly to the camera.

Photo © Kit Houghton / www.houghtonshorses.com.

This is quite an ordinary picture, but I like the way Eric is so laid back and that he has time to smile for the camera just before going into the ring at Aachen.

Photo © Kit Houghton / www.houghtonshorses.com.

Jessica Rodrigues (France)

La Baule 2014:

Eric's victory in the Grand Prix of La Baule with Powerplay in 2014 was one of the most emotional moments I can remember. Eric was very emotional, as it was his first win in a five-star Grand Prix since the tragic loss of Hickstead. After a year off, he had managed to find the courage to rebuild a strong team of young horses. It was a wonderful example of resilience and hard work. 

Photo © Jessica Rodrigues / www.jessicarodrigues.fr.

Rio 2016:

Eight years after Beijing, Eric won the bronze medal in Rio with Fine Lady. He didn't know if he had the heart to come back for an Olympic medal. But he did it. With his three medals, Eric became the most decorated rider in Canadian Olympic history. A great moment. 

Photo © Jessica Rodrigues / www.jessicarodrigues.fr.

DigiShots, by Leanjo de Koster (Netherlands)

We love these two photos because of Eric's happiness!

First; Eric and Hickstead at the World Equestrian Games in 2010 in Kentucky, where Eric won the individual bronze and Hickstead was awarded as the best horse. 

Photo © DigiShots / www.digishots.nl.

Second; Eric and Hickstead winning the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen in 2010.

Photo © DigiShots / www.digishots.nl.

Stefano Grasso (Italy)

Eric and Hickstead winning the 2nd qualifier at the World Cup Final in Leipzig, in 2011, where they finished as vice-champions. 

Photo © Stefano Grasso / www.stefanograsso.it.

Eric and Hickstead at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen in 2006.

Photo © Stefano Grasso / www.stefanograsso.it.

Eric and Fine Lady 5 win the Prix Massimo Dutti at the LGCT of Mexico City in 2017. 

Photo © Stefano Grasso / www.stefanograsso.it.

Stefan Lafrentz (Germany)

Eric and Hickstead at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010, where they took the bronze medal. 

Photo ©  Stefan Lafrentz / www.sportfotos-lafrentz.de.

Eric and Fine Lady 5 at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016, where they finished with the individual bronze medal.

Photo ©  Stefan Lafrentz / www.sportfotos-lafrentz.de.

Starting Gate Communications, by Simon Stafford (Canada)

Eric is pictured aboard Fine Lady 5 after the RBC Grand Prix during the 2017 Spruce Meadows 'National' tournament in Calgary, Canada.  

"Simon likes this photo because it shows his personal connection with Eric (they are golfing buddies).  Whenever Eric sees Simon with his camera, he gives him a thumbs up. It also showcases Eric's upbeat personality - even in the pouring rain, he has a smile on his face," Jennifer Ward of Starting Gate Communications writes. 

Photo © Simon Stafford / www.startinggate.ca.

This photo of Amy Millar, Beth Underhill, Eric Lamaze, Erynn Ballard and Tiffany Foster was taken on March 5, 2022, before the start of the $150,000 FEI Nations' Cup at CSIO4* Winter Equestrian Festival, Wellington, Florida. It marked the first time that Eric acted as chef d'equipe of the Canadian showjumping team.

"We like this photo because it signifies the start of a new chapter for Eric, and there was such a strong feeling of excitement among all the Canadian riders and supporters that night," Jennifer Ward of Starting Gate Communications writes. 

Photo © Simon Stafford / www.startinggate.ca.



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