Showjumping – Eric Lamaze Opens Up About Health Battle, Legal Challenges, and Tarnished Reputation

Renowned canadian showjumper Eric Lamaze addresses in a press release the hardships he has faced amid serious health struggles, accusations, and legal battles. Lamaze, who has dedicated over three decades to the equestrian world, clarifies his intentions regarding his medical privacy and reflects on the impact of legal disputes and damaging rumors on his career, health, and well-being. As an professional rider who played a significant role in elevating Canada in international equestrian sports, Lamaze reveals in this press release his heartbreak over the lack of support and the sense of betrayal that has left him sidelined from the sport he loves most.

Public Statement: Addressing Health and Integrity Rumors

Eric Lamaze: “To begin, I am truly heartbroken that the community, which I have loved dearly for over 30 years, feels misled regarding my health status or believes I am capable of deception. This was never my intention or the reality. Efforts toward medical privacy were solely to protect the experimental treatment plan and emotional well-being during an extremely challenging, life-or-death time. Unfortunately, vicious rumors questioning the legitimacy of my tumor, among other things, spiraled quickly and far beyond the truth. The accusations, most recently from last August, went unanswered due to my serious health and legal counsel’s advice. I only hope that those who rushed to judgment might understand why enduring such a vulnerable experience publicly was so difficult.”

Confidential Medical Records to Confirm Diagnosis in 2027

Note: Medical records detailing my cancer journey are currently sealed under a confidentiality agreement with my private clinic. These will be made available in 2027.

Reflecting on the Community and Career Impact

“I don’t feel anger but deep sadness over being ostracized from the horse world and seeing my reputation tarnished after a dreamlike career. This treatment deeply hurt me and contributed to a major setback, compounded by my illness, which has left me physically and mentally weakened. Despite my pride in a career that uplifted Canadian show jumping on the world stage, it is devastating to find myself abandoned by the federation I devoted so much to, with no support in the darkest hour of my life.”

Challenging Rumors: Addressing Alleged Legal Misconduct and Misrepresentations

“Rumors and falsehoods led to legal summonses that further sidelined me from my lifelong passion. While I am not perfect, my past symptoms were entirely related to my tumor, not substances. I feel robbed of the chance to ride, compete, and remain near horses due to legal harassment.“

Addressing Allegations in the Iron Horse Farm Inc.-Aziz Family Case

“First, I’d like to comment on the Iron Horse Farm Inc.-Aziz family case, in which I was convicted by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on August 8.”

“I sold a dozen horses to the Aziz family (Iron Horse Farm Inc.), and I’d like to stress that these horses met the standard for which they were sold when they changed hands, as I’ll document later. I’d also like to point out that Karina Frederiks Aziz didn’t have the knowledge or experience to perform at the level she sought (1.40 -1.50m). Along with myself, she called on the services of some fifteen trainers (!), including Henk Noreen, Juan-Carlos Garcia, Ian Millar, Beth Underhill, and Ainsley Vince, who was also assigned by the Aziz family in the interest of horse trade and sales. Having or hiring so many trainers is suspect, to say the least, in our show-jumping milieu.“

“What the Aziz family forgets to mention is that, among other things, several other young horses purchased for Ainsley Vince were successful in reaching Grand Prix level. For example, the horses Top Gun and Cantero were valued at Grand Prix level, and the Azizes received high purchase offers, which they turned down.”

“Others were returned because they were considered “dangerous” or not up to quality, such as Nosco de Blondel, despite accumulating some good results for Karina Frederiks Aziz and Ainsley Vince at the 1.40m level. After they returned Nosco de Blondel, he went on to become individual European reserve champion in young riders (U21) and team bronze medalist at Ebreichsdorf in Austria in 2012 with Petronella Andersson. Perhaps this gelding was not ultimately the desired fit for Aziz, but a medal with a young rider at 1.50m is evidence he was both safe and capable at this level. “

“It should be noted that all the horses I sold to the Aziz family had naturally undergone a meticulous veterinary examination by the buyer’s veterinarian (Iron Horse Farm Inc.) as specified on the invoices and sales contracts issued by Torrey Pines Stable and therefore accepted following this visit.”

“Regarding the horses for which I was ordered to pay $786,000 in compensation:

– I sold Jumping Mouse for $100,000, but he was returned to me on the pretense that he was a dangerous horse. As a young horse, Jumping Mouse was developed with care in France by Kevin Staut and Thimothée Anciaume (riders with exceptional experience in developing horses and wise enough to have noted any potentially dangerous behaviors). Once I took the horse back, I sold him to an amateur rider, Samantha Miles of Vancouver, who showed him for several enjoyable years in the Junior Amateur division without any increased risk or danger to herself. 

– The Aziz family then bought Rominka for an additional $150,000 after they returned Jumping Mouse. Once again, the Aziz family opted to return Rominka despite achieving respectable results with both Ainsley Vince and Karina Aziz. However, after an injection by Dr. Cummins of a splint on the left foreleg, Rominka’s soundness faltered. Dr. Cummins was not the usual vet, but one specifically chosen by Greg Aziz. The injection agitated the horse’s leg and worsened the condition, as confirmed by Ainsley Vince’s vet (letter from Dr. William Patterson available).“

“Greg Aziz called me into his office, requesting that I sell the horse and find him another, which I no longer wanted to do. One might ask why Greg Aziz would continue seeking horses from me if these were as “dangerous” as alleged.“

“Without any agreement, Mr. Aziz sent the horse back to me along with an invoice for $250,000. Astonished, I made several regular attempts to contact him, but to no avail. I now had Rominka on my hands, costing me boarding fees. I then sold her Brent & Laura Balisky, but at a lower price, because her value had depreciated due to Karina’s riding, the injection, and overall mismanagement of the splint. Yet with the Baliskys, Rominka continued to obtain good results (I myself was placed at 1.45 m with this mare). “

“Another of their disputes concerned a mare named Peppercorn, who was purchased for $265,000. An examination of the forelegs, the report of which was reportedly forwarded to the court, suspected a probable neurectomy. A clinical exam certificate from Europe states there were no scars on the horse in question. All horses purchased by Iron Horse Farm Inc. had undergone and passed a thorough veterinary examination by a veterinarian of their choice.”

“Peppercorn came from François Mathy, with whom I worked a lot, and to my knowledge, there is no veterinary certificate attesting to any trace of a neurectomy on this horse.”

“It has also been reported that a second microchip was found in the mare’s neck. However, a horse with two microchips would never be accepted in America. It is perhaps conceivable that a second chip could be injected in the event of the first malfunctioning, but to summarize, there was never any doubt about Peppercorn’s identity.“

“Beth Underhill then rode Peppercorn in competition without the slightest problem, knowing that it is ill advised to ride a horse post neurectomy. To verify, sensitivity tests were carried out on the horse, which reacted to small blows on the hoof, which further suggests the horse never underwent a neurectomy.”

“As a result of the ruling, I was ordered to pay $786,000 for Jumping Mouse and Rominka, which were originally purchased for $250,000. This leaves $536,000 in what they claimed to be legal fees (they really went all out!) Yet I never received an account of this prosecution nor any documents concerning this process. Odd, isn’t it? “

“Note: This trial was held in my absence, at a time when I was very weak and suffering from memory problems. I didn’t know the date of the session, and I was not reminded by my lawyer, who then “excused” my absence at this session by producing these (false) attestations of my state of health, which subsequently caused a lot of ink to flow (see below).“

“It’s also important to consider that Karina Frederiks Aziz’s father, Greg Aziz, CEO of National Steel Car, was indicted in the United States by an Alabama court for his part in a much more serious case. This was a multi-million-dollar scam on the Alabama Teachers’ Retirement Fund, for which he was arrested in 2013 as he stepped off his private jet in Chicago. He was charged with ten counts and placed under judicial supervision. He was finally sentenced to pay $21 million and released on 5 years’ probation. All of this can be easily verified and documented by simply googling Greg Aziz.”

“So, I was found guilty of a scam that never existed…by a person convicted by the U.S. justice system!”

• “Regarding my state of health and the forged medical certificates that have been the subject of all this speculation:

I’d like to make it clear that I’m in no way a malingerer. There have been enough witnesses in the horse world—riders, journalists, grooms, dealers, stewards—who have watched me suffer while fighting for my life. I have been plunged into a deep hole, being forced to defend the existence of my tumor while being deprived of the things I love most in this world: horses, show jumping, golf, and precious time with loved ones. “

Responding to Misconceptions and Public Speculation on Health Certificates

“The trial proceeded in my absence, and my lawyer presented false medical certificates without my knowledge, claiming these justified my absence. These attestations were unauthorized and included documents in Dutch, a language my doctor does not speak. I was not reminded of the trial date and was taken aback by my lawyer’s sudden change in attitude, appearing to act in favor of the opposing party.”

“My lawyer’s unapproved production of forged medical certificates has led to damaging misconceptions about my illness. My treatment plan, safeguarded by a confidentiality agreement, will be disclosed in 2027. However, close friends and colleagues who have witnessed my struggle can attest to my integrity and the severity of my condition. I feel betrayed by having to share these deeply personal health details to defend my character publicly.“

“The ordeal has deeply impacted my life, and I require substantial mental health support to move forward. My sincerest thanks go to those who have stood by me emotionally and financially. You know who you are, and I am forever grateful.”

Original press release: Eric Lamaze Breaks His Silence