Eric Lamaze wins in Wellington on Numero Uno daughter Take Off09 february 2009Wellington, Florida – Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON,
earned his second major show jumping victory of the 2009 season by winning
the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup held on Thursday, February 5, in Wellington,
Florida.
The $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup is held each Thursday during the 12-week
FTI Winter Equestrian Festival where the best show jumping athletes in
the world come to compete. Lamaze, who won during week three riding Narcotique
de Muze II, returned to the winner’s circle during week five, this time
riding Take Off a daughter of the well-known Dutch KWPN stallion Numero
Uno.
As only the fourth rider to attempt the shortened jump-off track, Lamaze
took risks to stop the clock in 34.87 seconds. His time would prove to
be unbeatable with American Olympian Lauren Hough coming closest, stopping
the timers in 35.20 seconds riding Quick Study. 2004 Olympic Champion
Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil placed third with a time of 36.44 seconds riding
Rufus.
“She is really competitive, and she is not even a seasoned grand prix
horse yet,” said Lamaze, who collected $9,000 US for the win. “She is
doing great things from her instinct and her talent. She is really careful,
and she jumped amazing!” Back
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