By Kathy Smith 

Retired Canadian show jumper Eric Lamaze has been suspended from the sport until 2031 after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) imposed a second four-year ban in a human anti-doping case initiated by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). 

The case originated when Lamaze refused to submit to a drug test at the Longines Global Champions Tour Valkenswaard CSI5* event in the Netherlands in 2021. The FEI formally notified him in March 2022 of disciplinary action for violating anti-doping rules. The matter escalated to CAS, during which Lamaze, through his attorney, submitted documents purportedly relating to his brain cancer treatment — documents later ruled as forgeries in a Canadian court. These same documents were also used to excuse him from testifying in a horse sales lawsuit. In response, the FEI imposed an initial four-year suspension starting September 12, 2023. 

CAS later ruled Lamaze guilty of an anti-doping violation and extended his suspension by another four years, from September 12, 2027, to September 11, 2031. In addition to the ban, he was fined approximately $16,400 (15,000 CHF) and ordered to pay around $13,100 (12,000 CHF) toward the FEI’s legal fees, as well as the costs of the arbitration. All of his competitive results between June 5, 2021, and March 30, 2022, were also disqualified. Read the FEI decision HERE.  

Lamaze, an Olympic champion who won individual gold and team silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics aboard Hickstead, officially retired from competition in 2022, citing health concerns. His last FEI appearance was in September 2021, and he announced his retirement on March 31, 2022. He subsequently served as technical advisor for the Canadian show jumping team before stepping down in early 2023. 

Since his retirement, Lamaze has faced multiple lawsuits from creditors, former attorneys, and clients who claim he misrepresented horse sales and pocketed hidden commissions.  

A three-time Olympian, Lamaze previously missed the 1996 and 2000 Olympics due to positive cocaine tests. After revealing in 2019 that he had been battling a brain tumor, he continued competing and winning for several months. His final major competition was leading Canada to victory in the Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows in 2021. 

Now 56, Lamaze will be 63 when his current bans expire. 

with files from CBC.com, Chronicle of the Horse, FEI

Photo: Eric Lamaze competing with Hickstead at the Spruce Meadows Masters in 2011. Credit: Robin Duncan Photography