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Eric Lamaze and Al Patterson Awarded Equine Canada Gold Medal Award

February 25, 2009

Ottawa, Ontario --- Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist, Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, and Equine Canada past-president, Al Patterson of Millgrove, ON, were both awarded Equine Canada’s top honour, the Equine Canada Gold Medal Award, for their tremendous achievements for equestrian sport in Canada.

The Equine Canada Gold Medal is only bestowed when the federation’s national Board of Directors feels an individual from the Canadian equestrian community has made a genuinely historic contribution to the sport or to the standing of our country in the community of sporting nations.

Lamaze’s individual gold and team silver medals won at the 2008 Olympic Games speak for themselves, as does the fact that he is the first Canadian to top the modern Federation Equestre International (FEI) Rolex World Rider Rankings. Canadian equestrian enthusiasts were touched by his personal humility as well as his generosity towards his teammates and his incredible horse, Hickstead. Lamaze is an example of unwavering perseverance, and that talent and dedication can triumph over any circumstance.

“It is an honour to be awarded the Equine Canada Gold Medal by my national federation,” said Lamaze. “Over the past four years, I committed myself to competing against the best in the world in order to be the best that I can be. To see my dreams of winning not only the individual gold medal, but also a silver medal with my teammates, come true is simply incredible. It is something that we, as Canadians, can all be proud of.”

Patterson held the position of Equine Canada president from 2005 until elections were held at the 2009 Equine Canada AGM on February 8. A dedicated ambassador for Equine Canada, Patterson’s leadership helped guide the federation to a record number of successes, both nationally and internationally during his tenure. In his role as president, Patterson routinely went above and beyond the required duties; often speaking directly to Equine Canada members at the grassroots level on how the federation could better serve horse owners in Canada.

"It has been one of the greatest honors in my life to have had the opportunity to serve and represent Equine Canada nationally and internationally and that was reward enough,” said Patterson. “But to be given and recognized with Eric, the highest award of the organization, the Gold Medal Award, will be an honour I will cherish the rest of my life."

The 2008 Equine Canada Gold Medal winners were announced at the Equine Canada Annual Awards Gala, on Saturday February 7, 2009, in Ottawa, ON.

About Equine Canada

Equine Canada is a member-based association that represents, promotes and services Canada's equine community and industry. Its core areas of activity involve sport, equine health and welfare, education and safety, governance and marketing, representation and communication. Equine Canada is recognized by Sport Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Coaching Association of Canada as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests in Canada. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca

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