Ten Things I've Learned From Eric Lamaze
Bretton Chad developed her love for horses at an early age, alongside her sister Kara Chad. As they grew more serious about the sport of show jumping, the girls began to compete on the United States’ West Coast circuit, a flight away from their hometown of Calgary, Alberta.
So it’s little surprise that Bretton continues to take her training and her equestrian career seriously, now training with current World No. 6, Eric Lamaze, since 2015. Based in Wellington, Florida during the winter and in Belgium for the majority of the season, Bretton has reached new heights through her training partnership with the recent 2016 Olympic individual bronze medalist.
Read on to learn exactly what Bretton has incorporated into her riding from Eric that has produced top results at Spruce Meadows and WEF:
1. Confidence:
One of the first things anyone notices about Eric Lamaze is his confidence. Luckily for me, he is very good at teaching this confidence to his students by improving posture and mindset. After watching me compete for the first time, Eric told me that when I’m in an uncomfortable situation, I have the tendency to shrink. He became adamant that when I trotted into the ring I had to make myself grow. It is amazing what a simple change in body posture can do for your confidence and riding.
2. Competitiveness:
Eric is one of the few people I know who often plans to win the first class at a CSI 5* show. Then he actually executes that plan. On multiple occasions he has said to me, “We’re here to compete, not participate.” Eric’s competitive nature and drive to succeed has taught me to be hungry for a result in every major class.
3. Independence:
In my time training with Eric, I quickly learned that I wasn’t going to have my hand held. Sometimes I’d have to figure things out for myself. It is a simple reality that Eric is not going to be ringside at every single class. He is already incredibly busy with his own riding career and business. However, in the times when Eric cannot be ringside, I have learned to be an independent thinker. I have learned that it is important to come up with my own solutions rather that relying on the constant guidance of a trainer.
4. The Basics are Still Important:
Since I started training with Eric, the biggest change in my riding has been to improve my position. Eric has a firm belief that the basics, such as good position, translate directly into stronger and more effective riding at any level.
5. Practice What You Do at the Show:
There is no doubt that good flatwork and exercises are an important part of Eric’s program at home. However, Eric also stresses the importance of jumping a course or two before going to the show. I have found that jumping a course at home helps me feel more prepared and less jittery on the first day of competition.
6. Visualization:
Something Eric tells me to do before entering the ring is to visualize riding the entire course in my head. By carefully imagining how I plan to ride every line and corner, I’ve essentially already ridden the course before entering the ring. Eric also emphasizes that it is important to visualize what I would do if things don’t go exactly to plan. This way, I’ve already exercised a solution to multiple situations that could present themselves on course. This technique makes my reaction to different situations faster and more effective. I’ve found that visualization can also help to settle nerves before a class.
7. The Importance of Building a Team:
Eric surrounds himself with the best team he possible can. His grooms, vet, farrier, and many other support staff are the best in the business, but most importantly, they are passionate about being part of the team. Eric creates an environment where people feel motivated to do their best work, which pushes the entire team towards a common goal. Through witnessing Eric’s team in action, I have learned just how big of a difference having a strong a team can make.
8. Fitness:
Fitness is an important part of Eric’s program for both the horse and rider. He once told me that a rider should be as fit as his or her horse. He likes to say that when he was Number 1 in the world with Hickstead, he was in the best shape of his life.
9. Address Your Fears:
For a long time in my riding career, I struggled with a long gallop to an oxer. Eric recognized this qualm of mine fairly early in my time training with him. Instead of avoiding this fear, Eric made it a frequent feature of my lessons. After a while, jumping an oxer from a long approach became commonplace and the fear completely subsided. Eric’s approach of tackling a fear head-on taught me that in order to overcome my fears or worries in the sport, I have to be upfront and honest with myself about them.
10. Keep Perspective:
Training with one of the best in the sport, and being in the same stable as other world-class riders, is undoubtedly an incredible experience. However, being surrounded by such immense talent and experience can sometimes make my own trials and tribulations seem juvenile. In frustrating times, Eric has reminded me that rough patches are a common aspect of this sport and that every rider, no matter their world ranking, has gone through them. The important part is to keep my focus and thoughts positive.