Canadian showjumper Eric Lamaze has been named as owner of the year for the third year running.
Eric and John Fleischhacker, joint owners of 14-year-old bay stallion Hickstead, were awarded the title by the Jumping Owners Club.
The prize was awarded at a ceremony during the Rolex FEI World Cup qualifier in Switzerland on 11 December. Christian Baillet, chairman of the Jumping Owners Club, and Jean-Noel Bioul of Rolex SA presented the award.
“There is no doubting the extraordinary partnership between Hickstead and Eric Lamaze as seen by them winning this award for the third year in a row,” Mr Baillet said. “This award goes some way to recognising their many outstanding successes and we wish Eric and John many best wishes for continued success in 2011.”
Hickstead and Eric continued their superb form to maintain their position as the most successful horse and rider combination in 2010.
The Jumping Owners Club was formed in 2005 and is an organisation of international owners that aims to increase the popularity of the sport around the world.
The International Owner of the Year Award recognises the most successful owner of each year in the discipline of jumping, based on points obtained for the Rolex Rankings during the calendar year.
Previous winners of this award include John, Pat and Lisa Hales for Arko III in 2004 and 2005, Mrs Serena Hamberg for The Sixth Sense in 2006, Mrs Nancy Clark for Shutterfly in 2007.
