Family Feud at 2007 Royal Horse Show

Toronto, Ontario – The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, celebrating its 85th anniversary, has always been fun for the entire family but at this year's Royal Horse Show held November 2-11 in Toronto, ON, family rivalries will be exposed in the Ricoh Coliseum.

Three famous show jumping families will be competing at this year's Royal Horse Show. While show jumping fans are well acquainted with the names Millar, Whitaker and Raijmakers, the next generation is rising up through the ranks carrying the name of their famous predecessors and continuing the family dynasty.

Eight-time Olympian Ian Millar is known around the world and now his two children, Jonathon, 34, and Amy, 30, are making a name for themselves in show jumping circles. All three members of the Millar show jumping family have ridden on the Canadian Equestrian Team in the past and rivalries are sure to arise on opening weekend of The Royal Horse Show when Ian, Jonathon and Amy Millar go head-to-head for the Canadian Show Jumping Championship title on Friday, November 2, and Saturday, November 3. While the elder Millar has won the national title on nine occasions, more than any other Canadian rider, both of his children will be looking to wear the crown for the first time.

For several decades, the Whitaker brothers, John and Michael, have been mainstays of the British Team, riding alongside each another on numerous Olympic Games and World Championship Teams. This year, Michael Whitaker, a long time fan of the Royal Horse Show, is introducing a new family member to Royal audiences with the debut of his nephew, William, son of Ian Whitaker. The 18-year-old has proven his prowess by winning Individual Gold and Team Bronze Medals at the 2006 European Junior Championship and a Team Gold Medal at this summer's European Young Riders' Championship, and Royal audiences will be watching too see if William can continue the impressive equestrian tradition of the Whitaker family.

Piet Raijmakers is the elder statesmen of the Dutch Show Jumping Team. At the 1992 Olympic Games, Raijmakers claimed Team Gold and Individual Silver Medals riding the incomparable mare, Ratina, and last summer he stood on the podium as a member of Holland's victorious team at the 2006 World Equestrian Games. As Raijmakers, 51, enters the twilight of his career, his 25-year-old son, Piet Jr., is happy to fill his father's shoes, or boots as the case may be.

With three top show jumping families competing at this year's Royal Horse, the legacy passed from generation to generation is more than simply trophies and prize money. It is a family tradition of excelling in a sport that celebrates the horse.

The international show jumping division opens on Tuesday, November 6, with the $30,000 Jolera Gambler's Choice and closes on Saturday, November 10, with the sold-out $75,000 Ricoh Big Ben International Challenge, named in memory of Canada's most famous show jumping horse. In addition to show jumping, the horse sports of eventing, dressage and driving are all on The Royal Horse Show schedule. In total, $745,000 in prize money is offered during the 10-day Royal Horse Show, making it one of the richest equestrian events in the world.

For more information on The Royal Horse Show and The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit www.royalfair.org.

PHOTO CREDIT: Great Britain's Michael Whitaker will be joined by his 18-year-old nephew, William Whitaker, in the international show jumping division at the 2007 Royal Horse Show. Photo Credit - Michelle C. Dunn