By DIANA ZLOMISLIC -- Toronto Sun
  NEWMARKET -- After the cocaine, the suicide attempt, the arbitration hearing, the lost Games and everything in-between, show jumper Eric Lamaze tried to be a regular guy yesterday.

 Not even a week after being kicked off the Canadian Olympic team for using cocaine, Lamaze competed in the open jumping welcome at the show he helped found -- the third annual Tournament of Champions at Newmarket.

 After finishing second by 5/100ths of a second to Toronto's Mark Samuel on Ballerina, Lamaze, 32, talked about his horses -- he has five entered in this weekend's tournament -- his fiancee, promising show jumper Megan Johnstone, 23, and his next event, the Royal Winter Fair in November.

 As for the events of the past week, "it's past, it's gone," the resident of Schomberg said.

 "The best way to move on is not to talk about it."

 The tournament couldn't offer a more comfortable venue for Lamaze to make his re-entry into competition.

 During Lamaze's run, there wasn't a mouth in the stands uttering anything audible about his being a "disgrace" or a "druggie."

 Jumper Christi McQuaker, whom Lamaze coached for 15 years, was sympathetic toward her former mentor.

 "I've ridden with him for years and he has never been a bad influence on me. If anything, he's the reason I'm where I am today."

 Chris Pratt, one of Canada's top show jumpers who finished third yesterday, was more cautious with his support of Lamaze.

 "I've expressed my concerns about it to him," the Terra Cotta resident said.

 "It has been something that is devastating for all of us. It wasn't just one person. It wasn't single-handedly his problem. Everything that has occurred is going to affect the whole sport and business.

 "It's not exactly the way you want your sport to get coverage -- equestrian and the coke case."

 Jill Henselwood of Ottawa has competed since 1990 with Lamaze on the national team that twice has qualified for the Olympics.

 She said Lamaze's tainted past should be left out of the arena.

 "It has nothing to do with it," she said. "This is a great sport. Nothing is ever perfect."

 The outdoor tournament finishes tomorrow with the $30,000 Grand Prix event.