The Canadian horse world was rocked by a recent court case involving Canadian Olympic show jumper Eric Lamaze. The case, which began in 2010, ended with a judgement in favor of Iron Horse Farm Inc., owned by the family of show jumper Karina Aziz. The court ruled that Lamaze owed the family almost $575,000 plus court costs for misrepresenting horses they purchased through him in 2007. This judgement marked a significant victory for the Aziz family, who had been embroiled in a legal battle with Lamaze for over a decade.
The Aziz family’s case against Lamaze gained traction when they hired a private investigator to look into the authenticity of doctors‘ letters submitted by Lamaze’s attorney. The letters, which were found to be forgeries, led to the case proceeding in court. The family accused Lamaze of selling them two horses in 2007 that he misrepresented. One horse was claimed to be jumping at a certain level when it had no record, while the other went lame shortly after purchase and was found to have scars from a suspected neurectomy. The family alleged that Lamaze had renamed and re-microchipped the second horse to deceive them.
In a separate legal battle, the Rein family, longtime supporters of Lamaze, expanded their claims against him. They accused Lamaze of deceitfully doubling the prices of several horses they purchased through him, pocketing the price difference. The initial lawsuit was filed by Lorna Guthrie and Jeffrey Brandmaier of Knightwood Stables, who claimed Lamaze inflated the prices of horses they purchased from him. The Rein family joined the lawsuit, alleging that Lamaze had similarly misrepresented the prices of horses they bought from him.
The Rein family’s claims against Lamaze involved multiple horses, including Nikka VD Bisschop, who represented Canada at the Paris Olympics. They accused Lamaze of misrepresenting the prices of the horses they purchased, resulting in significant financial losses for the family. The family sought compensation for damages, court fees, and other costs, and requested a jury trial in Florida to resolve the matter.
Overall, these court cases have shed light on the alleged misconduct of Eric Lamaze in the horse world. The judgements in favor of the Aziz and Rein families highlight the importance of transparency and honesty in horse dealings. The legal battles serve as a cautionary tale for those involved in the equestrian industry and emphasize the need for integrity and ethical practices in all transactions.
