Eric Lamaze Wins Opening Round of Canadian Championships at the Royal

Toronto, Ontario -November 8, 2002- The Royal Horse Show celebrated its official opening Friday evening highlighted by the $50,000 Royal Canadian Mint Championship, the first of two rounds used to determine the 2002 Canadian Show Jumping Champion. As the top-placed Canadian in the competition, Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, who finished second in front of the hometown crowd, took the early lead in the Canadian Show Jumping Championship standings. Riding Rosina, an 11-year-old Hannoverian mare owned by Stoney Hill, Lamaze was clear in a time of 68.07 seconds to finish runner-up to international competitor Eric van der Vleuten of the Netherlands who was also clear in a faster time of 66.95 seconds aboard Audi’s Castana.

“I did the job and we’re onto the second phase,” noted Lamaze, 34, who was crowned the Canadian Show Jumping Champion in 1995 and 2000. “I would love to get my hands on that title for a third time! Rosina has had a tremendous year, she’s fresh, and we’re ready to win!”

Finishing third and well-within striking distance of a ninth Canadian Show Jumping Champion title, Ian Millar of Perth, ON, posted a clear round in a time of 69.92 seconds aboard Aftershock, a 10-year-old Canadian Warmblood gelding by El Futuro.

Defending Canadian Champion, Ainsley Vince, 26, of Milton, ON, looked to repeat history after posting a time of 70.34 for fourth position with Catch 22, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood owned by Trinity Farm.

Despite a refusal on course, American rider McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, placed fifth with Galant with a total time of 70.53 seconds.

The second round of the Canadian Show Championships concludes on Saturday with the $30,000 Canadian Championships, Round 2. The competition will be broadcast live on CBC Sports, beginning at 4 p.m.

Celebrate the 80th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the world's largest indoor combined agricultural, horticultural, canine and equestrian event, from November 8 to 17, 2002, National Trade Centre, Exhibition Place. For more information, please visit www.royalfair.org.

$50,000 ‘The Royal Canadian Mint’ Canadian Championship, Round 1