Strong Field Promises an Exciting Competition

Calgary, September 2, 2003 – Seven of the strongest show jumping nations in the world are set to compete in the prestigious BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup at the Spruce Meadows Masters on Saturday, September 2, 2003, in Calgary, AB.

With an increase in prize money that brings the total pot to $250,000, the BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup offers one of the most lucrative prizes in show jumping.

While Canada has yet to win the BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup at the Spruce Meadows Masters, seven-time Olympic veteran Ian Millar would love to add that feather to his cap. Eric Lamaze, Mark Samuel and 20-year-old rookie Keean White, who is making his Canadian Show Jumping Team debut, will join Millar in his quest to capture the elusive title.

The United States will be hard to beat. The defending champions captured the BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup in 2002 after finishing runner-up in 2001. Hot off a gold medal win at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the American contingent is sure to be in top form. Individual silver medallist Chris Kappler and Margie Engle, winner of the individual bronze medal, will be joined by Laura Kraut and the number one ranked female rider in the world, Beezie Madden.

The German Team may prove to be the biggest threat. They, too, are hot off a gold medal victory at the European Championships. Having also won the team gold medal at the last two Olympic Games, Germany’s record in Nations’ Cup competition is impressive. Anchored by Ludger Beerbaum, arguably the most competitive rider in the world, Germany is an odds on favourite to reclaim the title it last held in 1999.

Having won the BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup a record eleven times, Great Britain would love to make that number an even dozen. A crowd favourite, Great Britain will be welcomed back after an absence in 2002. Long-time Olympians Michael Whitaker and Nick Skelton will be joined by Richard Davenport and Robert Smith in their quest for the title last claimed in 1996.

As the current World Champions, France would happily celebrate the tenth anniversary of their last victory in 1993. Both Belgium, anchored by Jos Lansink, and Switzerland, headed by the number one ranked rider in the world, Markus Fuchs, will be looking for their first win in the coveted BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup.

All seven nations are capable of winning on any given day, making the BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup one of the most exciting competitive events in the world of show jumping. The BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup will be broadcasted on CBC beginning at 7 p.m. local time on September 6.

As the founding sponsor of Spruce Meadows, BMO Financial Group has a long and proud history of supporting equestrian sport in Canada. Since 1976, BMO has sponsored the BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup at Spruce Meadows, attracting the top international show jumping teams to compete in Canada.