Eric Lamaze facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eric Lamaze
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Personal information
Full name	Eric Lamaze
Nationality	Canada
Discipline	Show jumping
Born	(1968-04-17) April 17, 1968 (age 57) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Medal record Representing  Canada Equestrian Olympic Games Gold 2008 Beijing Individual jumping Silver 2008 Beijing Team jumping Bronze 2016 Rio de Janeiro Individual jumping World Equestrian Games Bronze 2010 Lexington Individual jumping Pan American Games Gold 2015 Toronto Team jumping Silver 2007 Rio de Janeiro Team jumping Bronze 1999 Winnipeg Team jumping Bronze 2007 Rio de Janeiro Individual jumping

Eric Lamaze (born April 17, 1968) is a Canadian show jumper and Olympic champion. He is famous for his amazing skills in equestrian sports. Eric won a gold medal and a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He rode his incredible horse, Hickstead, to victory.

Lamaze has earned three Olympic medals in total. He also has four medals from the Pan American Games and one bronze medal from the World Equestrian Games. Many people see him as one of Canada's best show jumpers ever.

Early Life and Riding Beginnings

Eric Lamaze was born in Montreal, Quebec, in Canada. He started riding horses when he was twelve years old. To get time in the saddle, he would work at the stables.

Even as a young rider, Eric showed great promise. He learned from many top trainers. These included Roger Deslauriers, George Morris, Jay Hayes, and Hugh Graham.

A Career in Show Jumping

Starting Out: 1991–2006

Eric Lamaze began competing at the highest level of show jumping, called grand prix, around 1991 or 1992. Just one year later, he was chosen to join the Canadian equestrian team. His first big competition with the national team was the 1994 World Equestrian Games.

During these early years, Eric faced some challenges with competition rules. This meant he sometimes missed important events, like the Atlanta Olympics. However, he always worked hard to get back on track. He kept improving his skills and climbing the rankings in the sport.

The Hickstead Years: 2007–2011

The years 2007 to 2011 were very special for Eric Lamaze. This was when he rode his famous horse, Hickstead. In 2007, Eric became the first Canadian show jumper in 20 years to be ranked among the top ten riders in the world.

He also became the first North American show jumper to earn over one million dollars in prize money in a single year. A big part of this money came from winning the CN International Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows. This was Eric's first major win with Hickstead.

Eric Lamaze and Hickstead at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Eric and Hickstead competed at the Beijing Olympics in Hong Kong. They won a silver medal in the team event. Then, Eric and Hickstead went on to win a gold medal in the individual show jumping event. This was a thrilling moment for Canada!

In 2009, Eric Lamaze reached the number one spot in the Rolex World Rankings for show jumping. He and Hickstead continued to win many major competitions. In 2010, they won at the Aachen World Equestrian Festival and the Spruce Meadows Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

The year 2011 was also fantastic for the pair. They won several big grand prix events, including those in Rome and La Baule. They also won the Spruce Meadows Queen Elizabeth II Cup again and the $1 million CN International Grand Prix.

Later Career: 2012–2023

Sadly, Hickstead passed away in 2011. After this, Eric Lamaze continued his career with new horses. For the 2012 London Olympics, he rode a mare named Derly Chin De Muze.

In July 2016, Eric was again chosen for Canada's Olympic team. He was a key leader for the team. This time, he rode a horse named Fine Lady 5. The Canadian team competed in a close jump-off for the bronze medal, which Germany won. Later, Eric and Fine Lady 5 won a bronze medal in the individual jumping event. They were very close to winning another gold!

Eric faced some health challenges during these years. In 2021, he decided not to join the Canadian Olympic team for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He wanted to focus on his health. On March 31, 2022, Eric announced he was retiring from competing. He said he wanted to focus on his health. He planned to stay involved in the sport as the Canadian show jumping team's coach, or "chef d'équipe."

Eric said, "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."

In November 2023, the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) banned Eric Lamaze from competing until September 11, 2027.

International Championship Results

Results
Year	Event	Horse	Placing	Notes
1994	World Equestrian Games	Cagney	7th	Team
			28th	Individual
1995	World Cup Final	Cagney	18th
1996	World Cup Final	Rio Grande	RET
1998	World Cup Final	Cagney	23rd
1998	World Equestrian Games	Cagney	10th	Team
			53rd	Individual
1999	Pan American Games	Kahlua		Team
			10th	Individual
2002	World Equestrian Games	Raphael	10th	Team
			69th	Individual
2003	Pan American Games	Rosalinde	5th	Team
			18th	Individual
2005	World Cup Final	Tempete v/h Lindehof	16th
2006	World Equestrian Games	Hickstead	13th	Team
			27th	Individual
2007	Pan American Games	Hickstead		Team
				Individual
2008	Olympic Games	Hickstead		Team
				Individual
2010	World Equestrian Games	Hickstead	5th	Team
				Individual
2011	World Cup Final	Hickstead
2011	Pan American Games	Coriana van Klapscheut	4th	Team
			11th	Individual
2012	World Cup Final	Coriana van Klapscheut	12th
2012	Olympic Games	Derly Chin de Muze	5th	Team
			29th	Individual
2014	World Equestrian Games	Zigali P S	8th	Team
			34th	Individual
2015	Pan American Games	Coco Bongo		Team
			22nd	Individual
2016	Olympic Games	Fine Lady 5	4th	Team
				Individual
2018	World Equestrian Games	Chacco Kid	10th	Team
			58th	Individual
EL = Eliminated; RET = Retired; WD = Withdrew

See also

In Spanish: Eric Lamaze para niños

• Canada at the 2008 Summer Olympics