TORONTO, NOVEMBER 9, 2025 Eight-time Olympian Ian Millar is having the best Royal Winter Fair of his 36-year run on the Canadian Equestrian Team, claiming his fourth victory of the week in an illustrious international field. He has been victorious in every major competition with just one remaining.
60-year-old Millar rode Redefin tonight in a speed competition that proved a tough test in the early going. Riding in the unlucky thirteenth position in the order, luck was on his side, and Millar set a blazing pace of 62.92 seconds and no knockdowns. British speedster Nick Skelton gave it a good effort on Le Prestige St. Lois, but came up 0.65 seconds slower and would end in third place.
Knockdowns continued to accumulate for many competitors, but Millar’s teammate, Eric Lamaze, of Schomberg, Ontario, rode Narcotique de Muze to stop the clock at 63.34 seconds, less than half a second off Millar’s pace.
“You’ve got to have some luck on your side”, Millar said, “when you know you’ve got McLain Ward coming behind you”. He was referring to 2004 Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward, of Brewster, New York. But Ward, on Larioso, had a knockdown early on course ending any possibility of beating Millar.
Tonight’s competition ended as a 1-2 finish for Millar and Lamaze, two of Canada’s strongest 2008 Olympic hopefuls. Millar will be looking for his ninth Olympic appearance, which will equal the world record. Lamaze is being hailed as an early favourite for the individual show jumping gold.
With just one international show jumping competition remaining at Canada’s most prestigious indoor show jumping event, this year’s run will go down in history as one of the most successful ever for Canadians. Millar earned his tenth Canadian National Championship, claimed a grand prix victory later the same day, and won Wednesday’s $100,000 World Cup Qualifier, before winning tonight’s speed competition.
Millar is best-known for many great performances around the world, including at the Royal Winter Fair, aboard the great Big Ben. But his feats this week on Redefin and In Style make it his best-ever Royal Winter Fair. Asked why, he said simply, “I guess life begins at 60.”
Lamaze, who is without his top mount this week, still managed to lead the speed phase of the national championship on opening day, riding Narcotique de Muze. On the same mount, he tied for victory last night in a four-bar high jump competition, jumping 1.9 metres to tie with Geir Gulliksen, of Norway.
Tonight’s competition included riders from the U.S., Holland, Great Britain, and Norway.
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