Canadian Lamaze wins jumping individual gold

Canadian rider Eric Lamaze jumps his horse Hickstead over an obstacle during the individual jumping final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in Hong Kong, China, Aug. 21, 2008.


Canadian rider Eric Lamaze waves to spectators during the victory ceremony of individual jumping final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in Hong Kong, China, Aug. 21, 2008. Eric Lamaze won the gold medal of the event with total penalty of 0 and penalty of 0 in jump-off.


U.S. rider Mclain Ward riding on horse Sapphire kicks off the obstacle during jump-off of the individual jumping final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in Hong Kong, China, Aug21, 2008. Mclain Ward missed a good chance to win bronze medal after his horse kicked off the last obstacle during jump-off for the bronze medal.
Eric Lamaze of Canada, riding HICKSTEAD, won the Individual Jumping gold, holding off a strong challenge from Rolf-Goran Bengtsson of Sweden and his horse NINJA in the last Equestrian event of the Beijing Olympic Games at the Shatin Equestrian Venue on Thursday night.

In the final Round B, Eric Lamaze and Rolf-Goran Bengtsson were tied for first place on zero penalties. They were forced into a jump-off to decide the winner of the Individual Jumping.

Eric Lamaze finished on zero penalties while Rolf-Goran Bengtsson ended on 4 penalties in the jump-off showdown.

Beezie Madden of the United States, riding AUTHENTIC, came third and claimed the bronze medal.

In an interview with reporters after winning the gold, Eric Lamaze said "It will take a while for it to sink in. It's a dream come true. I love Hong Kong. I am going to cheer with friends, and thank everybody."

On winning a silver medal, Swedish rider Bengtsson said "I am very happy with second place.

Bronze medal holder, Beezie Madden said "I'm extremely happy. Our goal was to do well and to defend our gold medal from Athens, which we did as a team."

"I said I would love to have an individual medal, and I got it. Bronze is good," Madden added.

There are a total of six Olympic equestrian gold medals. During the 11-day competitions here, Germans have won three gold medals --Team Eventing, Individual Eventing and Team Dressage.

Defending gold medallist the United States won the Olympic Equestrian Jumping Team gold medal.

Netherlands's Anky van Grunsven won the Olympic Dressage Individual gold.

Eric Lamaze of Canada won the Individual Jumping gold.