Eric Lamaze is no stranger to the International Arena at Spruce Meadows, and as he laid claim to the ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup for the third year in a row on Thursday afternoon, he dipped his head and smiled to the crowd with the easy familiarity of a person enjoying the comfort of his favorite place.
Canada’s Lamaze won the 2013, 2014, and now 2015 edition of the $34,00 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup 1.50m at the Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary, Canada, taking victory with Artisan Farm’s Fine Lady 5 for two of those years.
The 12-year-old Hannoverian mare (Forsyth x Drosselklang II) showed her talent for speed among a large jumpoff field of 17 riders. They held off a very close challenge from fellow Canadian Lisa Carlsen with World’s Judgement, who lit around the course at a flat out galloping clip, but ultimately finished in 39.88 seconds to Lamaze’s 39.70.
“In the jumpoff, with so many riders you had to really go very fast,” Lamaze commented. “I thought the conditions were fantastic for that – the footing feels great.”
Samuel Parot of Chile also rode a fast round to finish 3rd with Couscous Van Orti, and Guy Williams was 4th with Caspar De Muze. There were 10 double clears in total in the very competitive class.
The Spruce Meadows Masters continues through the weekend, with prize money ascending towards Sunday’s $1.5 Million Rolex Grand Prix, the third leg of the Rolex Grand Slam.
See full results of the $34,00 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup 1.50m at this link.