Lamaze & Hickstead: The people's choice

 It was evident from Eric Lamaze’s emotional news conference while addressing Hickstead’s sudden death that his partner was more than just a horse.

It was equally obvious that when CBCSports.ca asked readers to vote for Canada’s 2011 Athlete of the Year, Canadians felt the same way about the champion stallion as the devastated Lamaze.

Of the more than 20,000 participating in the 12-athlete poll, 56.9 per cent picked the Lamaze-Hickstead tandem as their choice, significantly ahead of world figure skating champion Patrick Chan (11.6 per cent) and shot putter Dylan Armstrong (9.2 per cent).

For those wondering if the overwhelming outcome stemmed from mere sympathy — think again. The news of Hickstead’s death from heart failure (aortic rupture) following an international show jumping event in Verona, Italy in early November not only rocked the equestrian community, but his loss stunned people from across the country.

"Canadians really loved the horse because it was a bit of an unlikely horse," said CBC Sports host Scott Russell. "It was hard to deal with at the beginning but Eric found a way to make it successful in spite of itself. Hickstead always rose to the occasion and I think Canadians appreciated that."

CBC Sports broadcaster Bruce Rainnie, who called Eric Lamaze’s gold-medal win at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, described Hickstead as the "Michael Jordan of show jumping," and one who "seemed to know that knocking fences down was a bad thing."

The No. 1-ranking horse in the world certainly avoided those pesky barriers in 2011.

With Lamaze as his guiding force, Hickstead captured two Grand Prix events in Rome and La Baule, France, along with a victory at Spruce Meadows in July.

He saved his best performance two months later, capturing the prestigious $1 million CN International competition at Spruce Meadows and claiming the sport’s richest event for the second time.

Season of dominance

This season of dominance only reinforced the growing support for Hickstead as the greatest show jumper of all time. All the pieces were in place for the Canadian pair to make another golden run at the London Olympics next summer. What’s left, however, is a time to reflect on how truly exceptional they were together.

"I think the most incredible thing about the duo is that Eric was the best pilot in the world, but he always gave the horse credit for the final effort that required them to be successful, and his recognition of that was a very important thing," said Russell. "He had a very special horse to be in combination with in order to achieve what he did."

When Lamaze’s voice quivered as he uttered the words, "there will not be another Hickstead," he wasn’t just speaking of the near-$4 million in prize money and countless Grand Prix victories. The reality is the Dutch-bred horse saved Lamaze’s career.

The Montreal rider was plagued with controversy early on, banned from both the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 2000 Sidney Games due to positive cocaine tests – a time that also threatened to ruin him personally.

Perfect match

Lamaze was then introduced to Hickstead in 2004, and while he found it difficult to ride him at first, he stayed patient. His tolerance was rewarded.

They began winning two years later, with the ultimate prize awaiting them at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was there that Lamaze and Hickstead captured gold in the individual show jumping event during a memorable jump off with the Swedish rider Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, who was riding Ninja.

Rainnie's description as Hickstead and Lamaze approached the final obstacle was fitting.

"No Canadian show jumper has ever won individual Olympic gold," Rainnie said and then paused.

"Until now!"

Moments later, Lamaze was pointing to his friend, wanting all the adulation bestowed upon him.

The victory cemented them as national superstars, while also placing Hickstead in exclusive historical company of show jumping legend Big Ben and incomparable Kentucky Derby winner Northern Dancer.

"Canadians have a love for horse sports, and for show jumping in particular," said Russell.

"Lamaze and Hickstead mean so much to Canadians because together they represent the most unlikely success story. Written off they rise up to be the greatest - perhaps of all time. They delivered what every fan of the power of sport desires — an Olympic gold medal and a beautiful comeback. They restored a little magic to sport as a whole. That’s what made them extremely special."