Beth Underhill’s victory in Sunday’s CSIO5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule was an emotional affair, not only for the winner herself, but also for Canadian Chef d’Equipe Eric Lamaze – who through Torrey Pines Stable co-owns Underhill’s winning partner Dieu Merci van T&L with Mark and Tara Dow-Rein’s Rein Family LLC. 

“He was spectacular all week and didn’t put a foot wrong,” Underhill said about her winning mount, that also jumped double clear in Friday’s Nations Cup to help Canada finish third. 

Underhill, who operates her own business in Canada, began riding horses for Lamaze at the beginning of this season when health issues forced the 2008 Olympic Champion to take a step back. Lamaze has since announced his retirement from the sport and moved on into his new role as Chef d’Equipe of the Canadian team. 

Looking back at her performance in the Grand Prix, Underhill said: “As I was going into the ring for the jump-off, Eric said to me ‘It’s yours to take’. It galvanized me. Eric just stood up so much recently and I know it’s been bittersweet for him to be here, because he loves La Baule so much – and he has helped all of us as Canadians so much, and myself. So, it meant a lot; I went in there and I wanted to do my best.” 

And with these words, we look back at some of the many magic moments from Underhill's unforgetable Sunday in La Baule.  

Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.