Eric Lamaze was atop the FEI world rankings when they were released Thursday.
He showed why within a few hours. The show-jumping star who won individual gold and led Canada to silver at the 2008 Olympic Summer Games, once again won at Spruce Meadows with Hickstead, taking the
$35,000 D-Line Construction Ltd. Cup at the North American.
Lamaze was last atop the world rankings in February 2009. Maybe feeling the pressure?
“Actually, it takes the pressure off,” Lamaze said. “The rankings are important for some riders because it can allow you to go anywhere and compete, if you are high enough.”
In the jumpoff, Lamaze and Hickstead, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion, were just over three-tenths of a second ahead of France’s Katie Monahan-Prudent, who was on Sassicaia II. American Keri Potter (Rockford I) was third.
Underhill leads way
Canada’a Beth Underhill won the $35,000 Kinnear Financial Cup.
Daniel Michen of Mexico was second with Ragna T, followed by American Karl Cook with Uno De Laubry.
randy.sportak@sunmedia.ca
