Article content material
Canadian Olympic champion and the nation’s most adorned equestrian athlete Eric Lamaze introduced Thursday he’s retiring from showjumping after an illustrious profession.
Article content material
Lamaze has been battling mind most cancers since 2017, however continued to compete till not too long ago.
Article content material
The 53-year-old athlete mentioned the announcement was made with “nice disappointment.”
“There’s part of me that feels actually upset that I’ve been battling most cancers with the hope of using once more, and I’m crushed that that gained’t be the case,” he mentioned.
“I’ve at all times mentioned that I’ll retire below my very own phrases when the time is correct. The scenario with my well being has compelled me to make the choice sooner than I had envisioned, however the silver lining is that I nonetheless have the need to win and may contribute to the Canadian group and the game I like by way of my new function as chef d’equipe.”
Born in Montreal, Lamaze is at the moment based mostly in Wellington, Fla., and Brussels, Belgium, however he has been a well-recognized face in Calgary by way of competitions at Spruce Meadows. His final competitors was final fall on the Spruce Meadows Masters match, the place he anchored the Canadian present leaping group to victory.
On the time, he didn’t know it might be his final aggressive look at what he described as his favorite venue, in keeping with a information launch. Lamaze is the all-time main cash winner on the Calgary venue, with profession earnings topping $6.7 million.
In February, Lamaze was appointed by Equestrian Canada to the place of technical adviser for leaping, which incorporates performing as chef d’equipe for the Canadian group.
“Now I’ve to show my focus to giving my data again to my fellow riders,” he mentioned. “I’ve at all times liked instructing and making ready horses and riders for main championships. I’ll give these riders each alternative I ever had myself and I’ve nice concepts for the long run. I would like each Canadian rider to know that their goals are my goals, too. Once they win, I win.”