Eric Lamaze wins the ROLEX Grand Prix at Aachen
Only two milliseconds separated the winner and the runner-up. The victory in the ROLEX Grand Prix went to the Canadian rider, Eric Lamaze, who finished clear in 51.62 seconds. The pair is used to achieving major victories: Lamaze won the Olympic gold medal in Hong Kong in 2008 with his 14-year-old KWPN stallion. The 42-year-old lives in Ontario and is currently no. 1 in the world rankings. Lamaze has participated at four World Championships to-date and won silver in The Hague (1994) and bronze in Rome (1998). This is the first time ever that Canada has won the Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen, World Equestrian Festival.
The Swiss rider Pius Schwizer came a close second with his 9-year-old, Carlina. The Carvallo daughter finished the course in 51.86 seconds. Sergio Alvarez-Moya (Spain) came third with the Belgian-bred Heartbreaker son, Action-Breaker after jumping clear in 57.55 seconds. The German rider Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum had bad luck in the jump-off with her 17-year-old Shutterfly. The winning pair of 2005 collected 8 faults, which meant fourth place.
In total 20 riders had qualified for the second round after jumping clear in the first round. The German rider, Daniel Deusser, was particularly unlucky in the second round: His Holsteiner Caballero jumped over the actual stand of the obstacle and touched the flag – which led to him being eliminated. Only four riders qualified for the jump-off.
The Prize of the Federal Minister was awarded to the Swiss rider, Pius Schwizer. This special prize, donated by the German Minister of the Interior, Dr. Thomas de Maizière, is presented to the most successful show jumper of the event.
The Halla Challenge Trophy, donated by Hans Günter Winkler, is presented to the owner of the most successful jumping horse of the event. It was won this year by Hickstead, who is owned by the Ashland Stables and Torrey Pines Stables.
QUOTES
Eric Lamaze: Every rider dreams of winning the Grand Prix of Aachen. Together with winning the Olympic gold medal in 2008, this victory is one of the absolute highlights in my career. I was here many years ago and I have always said that I would like to win here. The best horses and riders in the world compete here. We bought Hickstead just before he was eight. He is now 14 and I think he is the horse of my life. He was always a special horse for me.
Pius Schwizer: Before I rode into the jump-off, Ludger Beerbaum ran after me and said ride as fast as you can with your mare, you can win this here. It was a great honour for me that Ludger Beerbaum ran after me to give me a tip. I definitely didn’t lose out on a victory here, I gained a second one. For me it is an honour to be runner-up to the no. 1 in the world rankings and Olympic Champion.
Sergio Alvarez-Moya: I know that my horse isn’t the fastest, so I rode a safe round. I came to Aachen for the first time four years, and celebrated my 18th birthday here. My brother and I bought Action Breaker when he was a three-year-old. I’ve always been mad about this horse and I have always believed in him. He has achieved very good results over the last six months. He is also used at stud and has already produced some very good 5 and 6-year-old jumping horses. I actually live in Spain, but I spend most of my time near Antwerp in Belgium. I used to train with Albert Voorn, but the dressage rider, Jordi Domingo, and the Spanish national dressage coach Jean Bemelmans, also help me. I look to see what I can learn from the other show jumpers at every show too.