Canadian Olympic champion Eric Lamaze has retired from showjumping competition ©Getty Images

Olympic gold medal-winning Canadian showjumper Eric Lamaze has announced his retirement from the sport to focus on his health.

Lamaze, who won gold at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, has been battling brain cancer since 2017. 

The Montreal native, just like any horse lover, cannot leave the sport completely and will remain with the Canadian showjumping team acting as Chef d'Equipe. 

"It's with great sadness that I am making this decision," Lamaze announced on his Torrey Pines stable website.

"There's a part of me that feels really upset that I've been battling cancer with the hope of riding again and I'm crushed that that won't be the case. 

"I've always said that I will retire under my own terms when the time is right. 

"The situation with my health has forced me to make the decision earlier than I had envisioned, but the silver lining is that I still have the will to win and can contribute to the Canadian team and the sport I love through my new role as Chef d'Equipe."

Canada's most decorated equestrian athlete carries numerous victories from the past few years ©Getty Images
Canada's most decorated equestrian athlete carries numerous victories from the past few years ©Getty Images

Lamaze, who began at the Grand Prix level in 1991, also earned team jumping silver at Beijing 2008 and individual bronze at Rio 2016.

The 53-year-old helped Canada win gold at the 2015 Pan American Games in team jumping. 

Lamaze and his stallion Hickstead - who died from an "acute aortic rupture" during a competition in 2011 - were inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020-2021, and he also received the Order of Sport, Canada's highest sporting award. 

Before taking a step back from competition, he last represented Canada at his favourite venue Spruce Meadows in Calgary, where he took the Canadian showjumping team to victory in the BMO Nations' Cup in September 2021. 

Eric Lamaze of Canada rides his mare Fine Lady 5 during the Jumping Individual and Team Qualifier competition at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Rio ©Getty Images
Eric Lamaze of Canada rides his mare Fine Lady 5 during the Jumping Individual and Team Qualifier competition at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Rio ©Getty Images

"Now I have to turn my focus to giving my knowledge back to my fellow riders," he said. 

"I’ve always loved teaching and preparing horses and riders for major championships.

"I will give these riders every opportunity I ever had myself and I have great ideas for the future.  

"I want every Canadian rider to know that their dreams are my dreams, too.  

"When they win, I win."

Fans will no longer have the joy and enthusiasm of watching Lamaze taking the reins, but will hope to see the Canadian showjumping team gallop to victory under the guidance of Lamaze.

Lamaze guided the Canadian team to second place at the FEI Jumping Nations Cup in Mexico last month.