18 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Jennifer Ward
A former equitation phenomenon,
B.C. born, Tiffany Foster won both
the Jump Canada and CET Medal
in 2001 at Toronto’s famed Royal
Agricultural Winter Fair training
with Brent and Laura Balisky.
In 2006, she moved east to the
show jumping barn of Olympic
Champion Eric Lamaze where she
is now head trainer of his Torrey
Pines Stable.
Under Eric’s tutelage, Tiffany
quickly excelled through the ranks,
making her Nations’ Cup debut
at the 2011 Spruce Meadows
“Masters”
tournament riding
Southwind VDL, helping Canada
earn a second place fnish. She
was subsequently named to the
victorious Canadian Team that
competed in the 2011 CSIO2*
Buenos Aires, Argentina, riding
Victor.
This year, Tiffany rode on
Nations’ Cup teams in Wellington,
Florida; Lummen, Belgium; and
Linz, Austria, all aboard Victor. As
a result of their success, Tiffany
and Victor were named to the Canadian Show Jumping Team for
the 2012 London Olympic Games where they were members of
Canada’s ffth placed team. Unfortunately Tiffany’s Olympic dream
ended prematurely when Victor was disqualifed in a controversial
decision under the FEI hypersensitivity protocol. Although
understandably devastated, Tiffany overcame the setback by
again competing on Nations’ Cup teams in Calgary, Canada,
and Gijon and Barcelona, Spain. With her mega-watt smile and
positive attitude, 28-year-old Tiffany has her sights focused frmly
on her bright future.
How did you begin your riding career?
I began my riding career as a working student for Brent and
Laura Balisky at Thunderbird Training Center in Langley, B.C. I
rode sales hunters and equitation horses for them until I was 21. I
started riding jumpers with Eric Lamaze in 2006.
What do you consider your biggest riding accomplishment?
I would consider being named to the 2012 Canadian Olympic
show jumping team my biggest accomplishment. I am especially
proud that I earned my berth on the team on Victor, a horse that
I started as a young horse in the 1.30m jumpers and brought him
all the way to the top international level.
What are your plans for the future in the horse world?
I intend to be in the horse world for a long time! I have had a bit
of bad luck lately; but I think it will just make me stronger. I would
like to continue competing in Europe and continue to improve. I
would like to see my Rolex ranking climb and I would really like to
Tiffany Foster and her mega-watt smile
Photo by Spruce Meadows Media Services
Tiffany and Victor
Photo by Parker/Russell – The Book LLC 2012
e
Canadian Connection
be a strong force for the Canadian Team. I have wonderful support
from the Ziegler family who own all of my horses and incredible
support from Eric, so there’s really nothing stopping me!
What is your favorite thing to do when not riding?
I really enjoy home renovation and interior decorating so I do a
few investment houses with Eric every year, which is really fun. It’s
a creative outlet that is completely separate from what I do all day
long with the horses.
What is your favorite movie?
Don’t laugh, but my favorite movie is “A Knight’s Tale.” I don’t
know why but I just love it!!
What’s the most delicious thing you know how to cook?
I can cook a lot of things, actually. I make a mean sheppard’s
pie!
You were in a number of commercials as a child. Do you ever
think you will get back into acting?
I really enjoyed the little bit of acting that I did. I don’t see how I
would have the time to ever get back into it; but if the opportunity
ever presented itself, I’m sure I would give it a try!
Who are your heroes?
My hero is Eric. He is just a genius with horses and has such
amazing instinct with everything he does. I feel very lucky to have
him and to have been able to gain from his experience over the
past few years.
Canada’s Show Jumping Sweetheart