October 12, 2023 
On Monday, October 9, the FEI released a statement summarizing their decision pursuant to an anti-doping case against retired Canadian Olympian Eric Lamaze.
Lamaze was charged with “fabricating medical documents during an on-going Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision.” According to the FEI, by not responding to the charge against him, Lamaze waived a hearing, admitted the violation, and accepted the consequences of the CAS’s ruling.
“Given the absence of any mitigating circumstances, the Athlete shall be subject to a period of Ineligibility of four years (12/09/2023 to 11/09/2027),” the FEI statement reads. “He is furthermore subject to a fine of CHF 15,000 and shall be required to reimburse the FEI its legal costs in pursuing the matter.”
The anti-doping case stems from a June 2021 incident at the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Valkenswaard when Lamaze refused to submit for regular drug screening. That week, he won the grand prix qualifier and took fifth place in the LGCT Grand Prix aboard Fine Lady Five. The FEI issued an anti-doping violation against Lamaze, but did not suspend him from competition, coaching, or training.
Lamaze last competed at Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament CSIO5* in September 2021. He formally retired from the sport in March 2022, citing ongoing health concerns related to brain cancer.
Under the four-year suspension, Lamaze may not take part in, or the organization of, any competition, event or activity under the jurisdiction of the FEI or a national federation. This includes training FEI athletes and horses, both at and outside FEI and national events.
Lamaze, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, and/or the World Anti-Doping Agency currently have 21 days to appeal the suspension to the FEI’s CAS.
Full details of the decision will not be released until the conclusion of the CAS case.
The suspension is the latest development amid ongoing legal issues for the former Olympic champion, as first reported by Horse Sport. Last month, Lamaze was found to have submitted forged medical documents in an ongoing horse sales lawsuit filed by Karina Aziz’s Iron Horse Farm against Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable.
