Eric Lamaze Takes Husky Energy Classic on Opening Day of Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’

The Spruce Meadows Summer Series continues with the ‘Continental’ CSI 5* Tournament, and it was Eric Lamaze (CAN) who took home the first big win of the week in the Husky Energy Classic 1.50m with Check Picobello Z. Second place went to Tiffany Foster (CAN) on Brighton, while Sameh El Dahan (EGY) riding WKD Diva finished third. In the Wipro Cup 1.45m, Ray Texel (USA) rode Baldira to victory.

The Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament runs June 15-19, featuring the Scotiabank Cup 1.55m on Friday, June 17, the Repsol Cup 1.50m on Saturday, June 18, and the highlight competition, the CP Grand Prix, on Sunday, June 19.

In the Husky Energy Cup 1.50m, there were 11 clear rounds and six double clears out of 38 entries that competed over a course designed by Luc Musette of Belgium. Setting the early leading time as the second to go in the ring, Sameh El Dahan and WKD Diva were clear in 42.39 seconds, which would hold up for third place.

Seven horses later, it was Lamaze and Check Picobello Z, a ten-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Cardento x Orlando) owned by Artisan Farms LLC and Torrey Pines Stable, that flew around the jump-off. Coming around the last turn, Lamaze picked up the pace even more with an electric gallop to the final vertical. They brought the winning time down to 39.10 seconds, shaving more than three seconds off of El Dahan’s time.

Lamaze could not sit easy though, knowing that Artisan Farms teammate Tiffany Foster was next in the ring on Brighton.

“Everybody did eight (strides) from one to two, and then six across, and the run to the liverpool (fence) was quite important,” Lamaze recounted. “I saw something really wild, distance-wise, and then I saw something more conservative and I backed up to conservative. He’s not a great turner still, so I had to be cautious around to the double (combination). I didn’t see Sameh go, but I knew Tiffany was after me and that horse is very fast, so I had to step it up. I saw the opportunity at the second to last fence, to take [a stride] out and take a risk. Once that worked out, I thought, ‘Well, why not keep it going? Go for broke!’”

Foster and Brighton made a valiant effort, but were slower in 40.35 seconds for second place.

Fourth place went to Luis Alejandro Plascencia (MEX) and Salamera de la Nutria, who finished in 43.36 seconds. Elizabeth Gingras (CAN) and Avalon 280 were fifth with a time of 45.84 seconds.

Lamaze gave credit to Check Picobello Z for making the effort to keep the last jump up.

“The horse helped me out, to be honest. It’s luck; in the end it just comes down to the effort from the horse,” he said. “We’re going at speed to verticals that probably aren’t meant to be jumped clean. Some of the horses react well (at speed), and some get lost a bit. I love the horse for a lot of reasons, but I always felt that I could never be fast because he’s a little mouthy and needs guidance. I’m so happy.”

Lamaze started with “Pico” three years ago when he was purchased from Ilan Ferder, but an injury last year set the grey gelding back. Starting up in Florida this winter, Lamaze was pleasantly surprised that he picked up where he left off.

“I was so sad last year that he did get hurt. I felt like that if I had the complete year, I would have a 1.60m horse with all the experience,” he remarked. “Now I have a 1.60m horse that is still lacking a bit of experience. It’s a good upcoming horse for me; I like him. When you have a horse that you produce jumping at this level and going fast when you didn’t think [that], it’s a lot of fun. It’s a fun part of the sport.”

Texel Is Fastest with Baldira

Riding out of the 53rd spot in the order of 76 entries, Ray Texel (USA) and Baldira, an 11-year-old Oldenburg mare by Baloubet du Rouet x Carthago, secured the win with a clear round and the fastest time of 63.60 seconds in the Wipro Cup 1.45m.

Texel just slipped past Andrew Ramsay (USA) and Cocq A Doodle, who recorded a time of 63.94 seconds for second place in the speed competition. Third place went to Ian Millar (USA) and Baranus who were clear in 64.96 seconds. Nick Dello Joio (USA) and Contiki were fourth in 65.07 seconds, and Jonathan McCrea (USA) and Special Lux were fifth with a time of 66.13 seconds that resulted in one time fault.

Owner Paul Schockemohle and friend Florian Meyer zu Hartum sent Baldira to Texel just over a year ago. Schockemohle has stayed as an owner, along with a new owner, Katie Harris, one of Texel’s clients.

“I think from my previous results with Fleur, ages ago, I’ve been labeled as good with hot mares,” Texel said with a smile. “It’s a great relationship. The mare and I have now had sufficient time to really get to know each other. We had a nice couple of weeks in Vancouver. She was jumping beautifully. After the week off for her, for me to arrive and have a nice, solid day like this, I couldn’t be happier. We have a great team of people.”

Competing in the Meadows on the Green worked out well for Baldira, said Texel. The open grass field and large, wide jumps give Baldira pause and instead of fighting against her rider, she pays attention and respects the course.

Texel added, “I allow her to carry me and let the jumps be her fight. She’s had enough time with me now to know that ride. The more imposition in front of the horse, for her to fight against, tends to bring her to a better level.”

The duo competed at the Spruce Meadows Summer Series in 2015, and it was satisfying to return for victory in their first competition. Texel believes he will compete with Baldira in Sunday’s CP Grand Prix, but will make sure he does what is best for her.

“Now that I’ve had more time with her, I hope I’m making more mindful choices in this circuit, how I’ll bring her along before the final week,” he said. “It’s nice to have a win the first day, but I don’t ever allow those victories to impact my decisions as far as the plan for the horse and what is right for her.”

The Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament continues on Friday, June 17, with a full day of competition, including the Friends of the Meadows U25 Cup, Altagas Cup 1.45m, and Scotiabank Cup 1.55m.

For full results and schedule, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Final Results: Husky Energy Classic 1.50m

1 CHECK PICOBELLO Z: 2006 Zangersheide gelding by Cardento x Orlando
ERIC LAMAZE (CAN), Artisan Farms, LLC & Torrey Pines: 0/0/39.10

2 BRIGHTON: 2006 KWPN gelding by Contender II x Quick Star
TIFFANY FOSTER (CAN), Artisan Farms LLC & Torrey Pines Stable: 0/0/40.35

3 WKD DIVA: 2007 Dutch Warmblood mare by Balourado x T Hors La Loi II
SAMEH EL DAHAN (EGY), Joanne Sloan Allen: 0/0/42.39

4 SALAMERA DE LA NUTRIA: 2006 Warmblood mare by Diamant de Semilly x Voltaire
LUIS ALEJANDRO PLASCENCIA (MEX), Luis Gerardo Plascencia: 0/0/43.36

5 AVALON 280: 2006 Westphalian gelding by Arpeggio x Potsdam
ELIZABETH GINGRAS (CAN), Erickson Halina Group Syndicate: 0/0/45.84

6 RUBENS LS LA SILLA: 2006 SLS stallion by Rebozo LS La Silla x Cash
VANESSA MANNIX (CAN), Vanessa Mannix: 0/0/47.36

7 TINO LA CHAPELLE: 2007 Selle Francais gelding by Mylord Carthago x Verdi
JUAN JOSE ZENDEJAS (MEX), Alejandro Zendejas: 0/4/41.07

8 GRAFTON: 2006 Selle Francais gelding by Calvaro x Vondeen
CONOR SWAIL (IRL), Susan & Ariel Grange: 0/4/42.33

9 PARKMORE LUX: 2005 Irish Bred gelding by Lux Z x Cool Corran Cool Diamond
HANNA MAURITZSON (SWE), Ritz Fuente LLC: 0/4/43.56

10 CASSINJA S: 2006 Dutch Sporthorse mare by Carinjo x Cassini I
CHARES JACOBS (USA), CMJ Sporthorse, LLC: 0/4/48.02

11 HH CONRAD: 2005 Holsteiner stallion by Con Air x Locato
QUENTIN JUDGE (USA), Double H Farm: 0/30/72.52

12 BALARINA 3: 2005 Oldenburg mare by Balou de Rouet x Sandro Song
ANTONIO MAURER (MEX), Mario Onate: 1/74.38

Final Results: WIPRO Cup 1.45m

1 BALDIRA: 2005 Oldenburg mare by Baloubet du Rouet x Carthago
RAY TEXEL (USA), Paul Schockemohle & Katie Harris: 0/63.60

2 COCQ A DOODLE: 2007 KWPN mare by Tolan R x Niagara
ANDREW RAMSAY (USA), The Doodle Group: 0/63.94

3 BARANUS: 2003 Oldenburg gelding by Balou de Rouet x Centauer Z
IAN MILLAR (CAN), The Baranus Group: 0/64.96

4 CONTIKI: 2006 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Contendro I x Calido I
NICHOLAS DELLO JOIO (USA), Coker Farm Inc: 0/65.07

5 SPECIAL LUX: 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Lux x Coille Mor Hill
JONATHAN MCCREA (USA), Candy Tribble: 1/66.13

6 CORA 572: 2006 Westphalian mare by Cornet Obolensky x Ramirez
ANDREW RAMSAY (USA), BU Ribbons: 1/67.05

7 HESTER: 2005 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Wandor Van De Mispelaere x Palestro
LUCY DESLAURIERS (USA), Lisa Deslauriers: 1/67.11

8 ATLANTIS T: 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Padinus x Guidam
BRIAN MORTON (CAN), Grafton Farm: 1/67.97

9 RAIA D’HELBY: 2005 Selle Francais mare by Fergar Mail x Papillon Rouge
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT (USA), Adrienne Sternlicht: 1/68.06

10 CAT BALLOU: 2007 Holsteiner gelding by Cassini II x Lacantus
MOLLY ASHE (USA), Louisburg Farm: 1/69.19

11 DAVEAU: 2008 KWPN gelding by Zento x Glennridge
JONATHON MILLAR (CAN), Millar Brooke Farm: 2/70.01

12 CHAPEAU: 2007 Dutch Warmblood stallion by Oklund x Quite Easy 958
ALBERTO MICHAN (MEX), Ilan Ferder & Tal Milstein: 2/70.52

Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services. They may only be used in relation to this press release and with photo credit.