Sports

Eric Lamaze mourns loss of mentor, Eddie Creed

August 20, 2015   ·   0 Comments

Edmond “Eddie” Creed, mentor to 2008 Canadian Olympic Show Jumping Champion Eric Lamaze, died last Wednesday at the age of 94.
Lamaze credited Mr. Creed with giving him his start in show jumping. Lamaze had been working for various professionals before striking out to start his own business at only 19 years of age. Mr. Creed, who had an old polo barn on his property in Schomberg, rented 10 stalls to Lamaze in exchange for low rent and on the condition that he restore the barn. Working out of Mr. Creed’s property, Lamaze built his Torrey Pines Stable from nothing into one of Canada’s most preeminent show jumping training facilities.
In the early days of the business, Lamaze took in horses for training, including race horses off the track, and resold them as hunter and jumper prospects. Having witnessed Lamaze’s drive and determination to succeed in the sport, Mr. Creed purchased Cagney to be Lamaze’s first grand prix horse. The Irish Sport Horse gelding would carry Lamaze to his Canadian Equestrian Team debut at the 1993 Washington International Horse Show.
“I had been at Eddie’s place for several years, and he had seen the business grow,” explained Lamaze. “I was always looking for a horse for myself, and I came across Cagney. Eddie purchased him for me, and Cagney became my first solid grand prix horse.”
Lamaze and Cagney went on to have an incredible career together, representing Canada at back-to-back World Equestrian Games in 1994 and 1998. The pair also competed at the 1995 World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, and the 1998 World Cup Final in Helsinki, Finland.
Over the years, Mr. Creed and Lamaze formed a formidable friendship. Mr. Creed treated Lamaze as a member of his family, often referring to him as a son. He continued to own several horses for Lamaze, including Espresso Thyme, Gotier Manciais and Why Not.
“Eddie Creed played a huge role in my career and was instrumental in helping me to achieve success in this sport,” said Lamaze, 47. “I would not be where I am today without his support.”
Following Canada’s victory at the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games July 23, Lamaze visited Mr. Creed. The two shared a sentimental moment when Lamaze placed his team gold medal around Creed’s neck, a poignant reminder of the success the two had enjoyed together over the years.
“Eddie was a mentor and, most importantly, a close friend whose faith and belief in me throughout my career has been immeasurable,” said Lamaze. “I will miss him greatly.”
Craig Collins, managing partner of Equestrian Management Group, had fond memories of Mr. Creed.
“Eddie and I went back many, many, many decades,” he remarked. “He was one of the finest men I ever met.”
“When Eddie said, ‘It’s a deal,’ or, ‘You’re good to go,’ you were 100 per cent sure,” Collins added. “Wonderful guy. Genius in business.”
“He was a really important guy in my life,” he added.
Mr. Creed died peacefully at home surrounded by his family, including his wife of 67 years, Edie.

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