Tampa, FL – March 29, 2007 – The ninth edition of this year’s $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series was held this afternoon at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center during the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Canada’s Eric Lamaze and Narcotique de Muze II, owned by Ashland Stables, were the first to go in the jump-off and set an unbeatable time. Kate Levy (USA) and Vent du Nord were quick enough for second, while Lisa Jacquin (USA) and Obourg finished third.

Today’s course was designed by Robert Ellis of Great Britain and featured 13 numbered obstacles, including a tricky triple combination and a skinny vertical as the last jump, which caught a number of horses. Nine horse-and-rider combinations of the 55 entries advanced to the jump-off, which had two opportunities for inside turns in the covered arena.

The first to go clear in the first round and the first to return for the jump-off was Lamaze. He set a good pace and made both inside turns. The big, ten-year-old, Belgian Warmblood mare by Darco galloped handily around and finished in 41.29 seconds. “I was very quick from one to two, had a nice turn inside at the top of the ring and then again to number one,” Lamaze explained. “She jumped a little right at the second to last jump, the oxer, which I could have been quicker to coming in, but she jumped well.”

It was a solid win for Lamaze, who has notched four top three performances in WEF grand prix competition so far this year. This is his third year with Narcotique de Muze II, who has stepped up and performed well for him every time he asked. “She just started the big classes last year and got some great mileage in Europe,” he noted. “I use her in big classes when I need to. I step her down, and she’s a great speed horse to have. At the million dollar class in Calgary last year, she only had a foot in the water. She has such a good heart, so it’s a great back-up horse.”

Lamaze smiled when he spoke of the striking bay mare, with whom he will show again on Sunday in the World Cup qualifier. “It’s my last chance to qualify for the World Cup final on Sunday; that’s why I’m here. Hopefully, she goes as well,” he said. “I love riding her. She’s got a great temperament and is really a trier. She’s always there.”

UITSLAG 1.50M $25,000 WEF CHALLENGE CUP SERIES ROUND 9 CSI-W

1 $7500 NARCOTIQUE DE MUZE II - ERIC LAMAZE (CAN) 0 - 0 41.290
2 $5500 VENT DU NORD - KATE LEVY (USA) 0 - 0 42.880
3 $3250 OBOURG - LISA JACQUIN (USA) 0 - 0 45.050
4 $2000 APACHE - RICHARD SPOONER (USA) 0 - 4 41.850
5 $1500 GRAF LANDO - ROBERT KRAUT (USA) 0 - 4 44.580
6 $1250 HOT WHEELS - DARRAGH KERINS (IRE) 0 - 4 51.010
7 $1000 OASIS - RODRIGO PESSOA (BRA) 0 - 8 55.340