Eric Lamaze and Hickstead Second in Grand Prix of Madrid, Spain

May 23, 2009 – Madrid, Spain – For the second year in a row, Canada’s Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, and Hickstead placed second in the €150,000 Grand Prix of Madrid held Saturday, May 23, at the CSI5* Madrid International Show Jumping Tournament in Spain.

A total of 44 horses attempted the first round track in the feature event at the Spanish show jumping tournament. Lamaze, second into the ring, showed that a clear round was possible by leaving all the rails in place with Hickstead. Seven others followed suit to join Lamaze in the jump-off. First back for the tie-breaking round, the Olympic champions were again clear, stopping the clock in 36.04 seconds. All Lamaze could do was wait as the remaining jump-off contenders took their turn. In the end, it was Laura Kraut of the United States riding Anthem who bettered his time, stopping the clock at 35.61 seconds.

“I was first to go in the jump-off, and Hickstead jumped really well,” said Lamaze of the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion. “It was a really fast jump-off, and Anthem is a fast horse!”

Last year, Lamaze and Hickstead placed second to Jill Henselwood riding Special Ed, who would later be their teammates at the 2008 Olympic Games where Canada claimed the Silver Medal.

Earlier on Saturday, Lamaze placed fifth in a €12,000 speed competition riding Lord du Janlie, a 10-year-old selle francais gelding owned by Tequestrian Farms, LLC.

Lamaze opened the show jumping tournament in Madrid on Thursday by winning two classes and placing second in another. Riding Lord du Janlie, he won the 1.40m speed class followed by a victory in the 1.45m jump-off competition riding Undercontract. In the third and final class on Thursday, Lamaze and Hickstead were second in the €20,000 Altae Banco Privado Trophy.

Lamaze opened his European spring show season in April at CSI4* Antwerpen, Belgium, before competing at CSIO4* Lummen, Belgium, CSIO5* La Baule, France, and CSI5* Madrid, Spain. He will return to Canada to contest the summer tournaments at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, AB, beginning June 10.