Canada’s most decorated equestrian, Olympic show jumping individual gold medalist Eric Lamaze, is his country’s new technical advisor for the discipline.
Eric also will serve as chef d’equipe for the squad. He replaces Mark Laskin, who had held the job since 2012 and resigned in November as last year as the role of chef d’equipe was being reviewed. The decision to appoint Eric was made by a hiring panel that included former World Champion Gail Greenough and 10-time Olympian Ian Millar.
Eric Lamaze took gold at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong. (Photo © 2008 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I am excited to help lead the Canadian Show Jumping Team to future success in a new capacity,” said Lamaze, 53, who has battled a brain tumor and is cutting back on his own competitive agenda to give the Canadian team his full attention.
“It’s an honor to be named to this position and not one that I take lightly. I look forward to building on the foundation that Mark Laskin laid and am committed to the success of our athletes, both nationally and internationally. I have a strong vision for the sport in Canada and will not stop until we reach perfection.”
In addition to his Olympic gold, Eric earned silver and bronze Olympic medals; an individual bronze medal from the 2010 World Equestrian Games and four Pan American Games medals, including team gold.
He has won every major grand prix event in the world including Calgary, Canada (2007 and 2011); Geneva, Switzerland (2008); Aachen, Germany (2010); La Baule, France (2011); and Rome, Italy (2011) and reached number one in the world rankings several times over the course of his career.
In 2021, Lamaze was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and awarded the Order of Sport, the highest accolade an athlete can receive from the country.
“I would like to thank Equestrian Canada and the hiring panel for putting their trust in me,” said Lamaze, who is based in Wellington, Fla., and Brussels.
“Fifteen years ago, I made the decision to base myself in Europe where I had the opportunity to compete against the best in the world, week-in and week-out, and learned through experience what it takes to win at the highest level. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise with my fellow Canadian athletes and guide us back to where we belong, which is at the top of the podium.”
Lamaze’s first opportunity to act as chef d’equipe will be during the CSIO4* Winter Equestrian Festival from March 2 to 6, 2022, in Wellington, Fla., highlighted by the $150,000 Nations’ Cup on Saturday, March 5, as his nation looks toward this year’s world championships in Denmark and the Paris 2024 Olympics.