JC_Sponsor_of_the_Year_08_copy.jpgOttawa, Ontario—Jump Canada is pleased to announce that Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies has been named its 2008 ‘Sponsor of the Year’.

Created in 2005, the ‘Sponsor of the Year’ Award recognizes the significant impact that corporate sponsorship has on the Canadian show jumping sport. 

Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies is the largest retailer of equestrian products in Canada with 19 retail stores, mail order and e-commerce services. They have been in operation for over 20 years and pride themselves in providing quality products combined with excellent customer service to all equestrian disciplines.

From induction to the flourishing company they are now, Greenhawk has continued to be a staple in the equestrian community throughout Canada. Boasting numerous sponsorships at a wide variety of events, their support is essential to the growth of the sport. In show jumping alone, Greenhawk’s contributions extend coast-to-coast and from grass roots to high performance.

One of the most predominant sponsorships being that of the prestigious Canadian Show Jumping Championship held during the Royal Winter Fair. Since 2004, Greenhawk’s involvement has greatly enhanced this dual phase class, which features the best of our Canadian grand prix riders battling for the title.

Increasing their support in 2007 and continuing in 2008, Greenhawk took on full sponsorship of this national championship raising it to the most prize money this class has ever offered at $100,000.

Jump Canada, along with thousands of equestrian enthusiasts across this country, is most grateful for Greenhawk’s vision and for their generous involvement, and it is because of this that Jump Canada has selected Greenhawk to be the 2008 Sponsor of the Year.

“It is our honour to receive this recognition,” said Kelly Nicholls, the vice president of sales and marketing of Greenhawk Inc. “Our steadfast involvement in the equestrian industry gives us a fantastic opportunity to support and further equine sport in Canada.”

“Greenhawk’s sponsorship of the Canadian Championship held at the Royal Horse Show gives us the opportunity to showcase our own best jump riders. This premier class also offers big prize money and attracts television coverage, all assets to our sport,” said Elizabeth Bordeaux, the chair of Jump Canada. “We are very grateful to Greenhawk for their continuing support.”

For its incredible support of the show jumping industry, Jump Canada is proud to honour Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies as the 2008 ‘Sponsor of the Year’. Bordeaux presented the ‘Sponsor of the Year’ Award on behalf of Jump Canada to Louise Casselman, Store Manager of the Ottawa Greenhawk retail outlet, during the Equine Canada National Awards Banquet in Ottawa, ON, on February 7.

In its inaugural year, Kubota Canada Ltd. was named the 2005 Jump Canada Sponsor of the Year 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.