CALGARY, ALBERTA–(Marketwired – Sept. 8, 2016) – The 2016 BMO Nations’ Cup Competition – one of the most prestigious team show-jumping events in the world – will feature teams from ten participating nations, competing on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament. The two round competition is designed by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela, and will feature 12 jumping efforts.
Fans attending the event can enjoy free admission to the BMO Fan Centre, which features fun for the whole family including:
- Face painters;
- Interactive games;
- Autograph and photo session with 10-time Olympian and BMO Athlete Ambassador Ian Millar on Friday September 9; and
- Musical entertainment.
| When: | Saturday September 10, 2016 – 2:00 p.m. |
| Where: | 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW |
| Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2J 5G5 | |
| Directions: | Spruce Meadows is located on the southern city limits of Calgary, approximately 30-40 minutes from downtown Calgary and 45 minutes from the Calgary International Airport. Parking is free. |
2016 BMO Nations’ Cup Teams
- Canada – 2006 BMO Nations’ Cup Winner; 2008 Olympic Team Silver Medalist; 2015 Pan Am Games Gold Medalists
- Belgium – 2013 BMO Nations’ Cup Silver Medalist
- France – 1993 and 2011 BMO Nations’ Cup Winner, 2016 Olympic Team Gold Medalist
- Great Britain – 2012 Olympic Team Gold Medalist; 2013 European Champions; 10 BMO Nations’ Cup wins
- Switzerland – Led by 2012 Olympic Champion Steve Guerdat
- United States – 2010 BMO Nations’ Cup Winner, 2004 and 2008 Olympic Team Gold Medalists, 2016 Olympic Team Silver Medalist
- Netherlands – 1981, 1997 and 2009 BMO Nations’ Cup Winners, reigning World and European Champions
- Brazil – 1996, 2000 Olympic Team Silver Medalist
- Germany – 2016 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist, 9 BMO Nations’ Cup wins
- Mexico – 2009 BMO Nations’ Cup Bronze Medalist
The 2016 Canadian Team, led by Chef d’équipe Mark Laskin, includes 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist Eric Lamaze, Canadian Olympians Tiffany Foster and Amy Millar, and Kara Chad.
“BMO has long been a supporter of equestrian sport in Canada, and we’re proud to continue our partnership with Spruce Meadows,” said Susan Brown, Senior Vice President, Alberta & NWT, BMO Bank of Montreal. “The BMO Nations’ Cup highlights some of the world’s leading talent and we’re thrilled to welcome the best in show jumping at this exciting event.”
“The BMO Nations’ Cup has become a premier team event in our sport over the last four decades,” said Spruce Meadows President and CEO, Linda Southern-Heathcott. “Our partnership with BMO Financial Group is something we truly cherish. Together we have worked to bring the very best of international show jumping to these grounds. For our 2016 season we are delighted that Team Canada will look to compete for the BMO Nations’ Cup title against the very best. The roster of teams includes the reigning World, Olympic, Pan American and European Champions.”
About Nations’ Cup
The Nations’ Cup is the only competition in which nations are represented by selected teams. Teams from participating countries may consist of three or four riders, and are led by a Chef d’Equipe. Each member of each team will jump one round over a course of 12 obstacles. The best three scores from each team are added together for a first round total.
The top six teams return in reverse order of standing to jump the identical course in the second round. Again, the three best scores for each team are added to the first round total to determine the ultimate winner. In the case of equality of penalties for first place, the Chef d’Equipe selects a single team member to jump off.
About BMO Financial Group
Established in 1817, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of $692 billion as of July 31, 2016, and over 45,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.
About BMO and the Equestrian Community
As one of the founding sponsor of Spruce Meadows, BMO Financial Group has a long and proud history of supporting equestrian sport in Canada. This is the 40th year that BMO has sponsored the BMO Nations’ Cup at Spruce Meadows, attracting the top international show jumping teams to compete in Canada. In addition, BMO has proudly sponsored Ian Millar, Canadian Equestrian Team member and Olympic record holder, for more than 25 years.
For a tournament schedule visit the Spruce Meadows website at www.sprucemeadows.com.
Michelle Agnelo, BMO Financial Group
(416) 867-3996
[email protected]
Internet: www.bmo.com
Twitter: @BMOmedia
Caroline Grant, Spruce Meadows
(403) 974-4529
[email protected]
