Press release from Starting Gate Communications

Canadian Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze has welcomed a new show jumping prospect for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games to his barn.  Idalville d’Esprit, an 11-year-old bay Belgian Warmblood gelding (Carabas v/d Wateringhoeve x Nabab de Reve), was purchased for Lamaze by Chris and Thea Stinnett of Heathman Farm and will be owned in partnership with Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable.

Idalville d’Esprit was campaigned for three seasons by Swiss amateur Aurélie Rytz, now 20, including at the 2018 European Young Rider Championship.  Professional rider Alain Jufer, also of Switzerland, took over the reins this spring and the pair recently jumped double clear to place seventh in the €275,000 1.60m Grand Prix at CSI5* Ascona, Switzerland.  The horse was purchased for Lamaze through well-known Swiss horse dealer Gian-Battista Lutta.

After meeting through associates of global real estate giant, Engel & Völkers, Chris and Thea Stinnett stepped forward to support Lamaze.  The purchase of Idalville d’Esprit further strengthens Lamaze’s string of international contenders, with the horse being aimed towards next summer’s Tokyo Olympics.

“I can’t thank Chris and his wife, Thea, enough for purchasing this horse for me as a prospect for the Olympic Games in Tokyo,” said Lamaze, 51.  “He has truly done this out of the kindness of his heart and I will do my best to repay his belief in me.”

Having seen Idalville d’Esprit compete under Jufer, Lamaze said, “It is a horse that is extra-careful, and will be fresh at the international grand prix level.

“Tokyo could very well be my final competitive appearance and I have every intention of going out on top,” continued Lamaze.  “My focus would then turn to our Torrey Pines horse sales operation, and I would also like to have time to focus on teaching others so that they can achieve their dreams the same way I have.”

Lamaze claimed the individual gold medal as well as team silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics riding the legendary Hickstead.  In 2016, he won an individual bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics riding Fine Lady 5 and led the Canadian team to a fourth-place finish following a jump-off with Germany for the bronze medal.