Frantisi Inc. Named Jump Canada ‘Sponsor of the Year’ for 2009

Ottawa, ON – Frantisi Inc. (the Bassin Family) has been named the Jump Canada ‘Sponsor of the Year’ for 2009.

Frantisi Inc. was started in 1977 with a vision to fill a void in the equestrian apparel industry. The idea was to produce a superior quality riding jacket offering customers excellent value. Fit, fashion and function were the driving force behind the design of the first riding jackets, and continues to be their central design focus.

Their close association with many of the world’s leading riders allows them to obtain input to develop products with superior function and durability. Working directly with fabric mills has allowed Frantisi to constantly be at the forefront of both fashion and fabric quality and technology. Grand Prix Riding Jackets are still proudly produced in Canada.

Since the early 1980s, Frantisi Inc. has sponsored the Rider’s Habit medal classes, held at competitions at the national level in Ontario and Quebec. Developed to promote excellence in horsemanship and riding style, the Rider’s Habit medal is available at many levels — pony, childrens, juniors and amateurs — and asks riders to navigate an equitation-style course. The winning rider receives a medal and a gift certificate towards the purchase of any Frantisi products and can be redeemed at any store that is a Frantisi dealer.

Frantisi also supplies all new members of the Canadian Show Jumping Team with a Canadian Team riding jacket.

Jump Canada appreciates Frantisi’s vision and for their generous involvement, and has therefore selected Frantisi Inc. as the Jump Canada ‘Sponsor of the Year’ for 2009.

“Frantisi has been a long-time supporter of equestrian sport, and we are extremely honoured to have been named the Jump Canada ‘Sponsor of the Year’ award,” said Sari Lambert, who is a Frantisi Inc. customer service representative and a member of the Bassin Family. “We have enjoyed our multifaceted involvement in the equestrian industry over the past 30 years, and it is our deepest pleasure to have the opportunity to give back and to support our sport.”

“The Bassins have been such generous supporters of our sport through their companies Frantisi Inc. and Rider’s Habit,” said John Taylor, the chair of Jump Canada. “They have given generously for years without the fanfare and accolade usually afforded a major sponsor. We appreciate their support and friendship to our sport.”

In recognition of their long-time support of the show jumping industry, Jump Canada was proud to announce Frantisi Inc. as the 2009 ‘Sponsor of the Year’ during the Equine Canada National Awards Banquet in Montreal, QC, on February 6.

Created in 2005, the ‘Sponsor of the Year’ Award recognizes the significant impact that corporate sponsorship has on the Canadian show jumping sport. Kubota Canada Ltd. was named the inaugural Jump Canada Sponsor of the Year in 2005 for its substantial contribution as title sponsor of the Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series. In 2006, Canadian National Railway was awarded the Jump Canada Sponsor of the Year due to its significant sponsorship of many important Canadian equestrian competitions and events. BMO Financial Group Sponsors were named as the sponsors of the year for 2007 for their incredible support of the show jumping industry. Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies was named as the 2008 ‘Sponsor of the Year’.