24 SIDELINES MARCH 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
For Powerplay, Eric has the Alltech World Equestrian Games
2014 in Normandy firmly in his sights. “Powerplay is extremely
scopey; he’s a horse that has more scope than you need. He’s
very careful, but also laid-back and super cool. He doesn’t
change from home to the show. He loves showing, he loves
jumping and he delivers.
“With those two plus Quelmec du Gery, I think I have a good
top string,” Eric continued. “Then, we have four new young ones
that are really good, so I’ll be getting to know them more and
determine where they all fit in.”
In addition to training and riding his own horses, Eric also
coaches several students including his London Olympic
teammate, Tiffany Foster, who also rides for Artisan Farms and
Andy Ziegler and his daughter, Caitlin. New to Eric’s program is
17-year-old Mackenzie Edwards of Canada, who is competing in
the junior divisions during her first circuit in Wellington.
It’s not all horses, all the time, for Eric, however. A natural
athlete, the 45-year-old is an avid golfer and also spends time
away from the show circuit by hitting the slopes, preferably in
Courchevel, France. Home renovations are another passion.
He remodels and sells two or three houses each season in
Wellington.
“I spend a lot of time with my friends,” said Eric, of balancing
his personal life with being one of the top-ranked riders in the
world. “For me, I have to find some enjoyment in life and not just
spend 24 hours a day with the horses. We do work hard, but
then you need a break from it as well.”
With an Olympic gold medal already to his credit, Eric can
take all the breaks he needs.
Eric Lamaze and his current top mount, Powerplay,
owned by Artisan Farms LLC.
Photo by Spruce Meadows Media Services
