March 4, 2009

Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist Eric Lamaze and Equine Canada past-president Al Patterson have been awarded Equine Canada's top honour, the Equine Canada Gold Medal Award, for their achievements for equestrian sport in Canada.

The Equine Canada Gold Medal is bestowed only 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 the country in the community of sporting nations.

Lamaze won individual gold and team silver medals at the 2008 Olympic Games, and 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," Equine Canada said.

"Lamaze is an example of unwavering perseverance, and that talent and dedication can triumph over any circumstance."

Lamaze said it was an honour to be awarded the Equine Canada Gold Medal. "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," Lamaze said. "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 honours 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."