Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Olympians Jay Hayes and Ian Millar are teaming up to revitalize international show jumping sport in the Nation’s Capital. The National Capital Open will take place August 6-10 followed by the Kubota National Tournament from August 13-17, 2008, at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON.

While Millar will act as Honourary Chairman of the Horse Show Committee, Hayes and his family, recognized for producing the Collingwood Horse Show for 21 years, will manage the back-to-back international show jumping tournaments which will attract the world’s best show jumping competitors including Olympic, World Championship and Pan American Games veterans, to Ottawa.

“Not only are we bringing show jumping back to Ottawa, we are also raising the stakes with not just one, but two back-to-back show jumping tournaments held on one of the best jumping fields in North America,” said Hayes. “The people of the Ottawa Valley have always been very supportive of the horse shows held at the Nepean National Equestrian Park and we are hoping that, after the cancellation of the former show jumping tournament, they will return as strong, if not stronger, than ever.”

With two weeks of world-class show jumping in one facility, competitors will have the opportunity to earn double the prize money while the spectators, notoriously loyal in Ottawa, will have two full weeks to watch the sport’s best in action. In addition, the economic impact for the City of Ottawa will be substantial.

The National Capital show jumping tournaments, featuring all hunter and jumper divisions, will be managed by horsemen for horsemen, and the emphasis will be on great footing, convenient scheduling and a fun atmosphere. With the Hayes and Millar families at the helm, a successful show jumping tournament is assured and all sports marketing opportunities will be explored to ensure its longevity.

Brookstreet and Kubota Canada Ltd. were the first sponsors to step forward and support the Ottawa-based initiative. Brookstreet will be the official hotel of the National Capital show jumping tournaments as well as the title sponsor of the first week’s Grand Prix.

“We are delighted to have a premier show jumping event back in Ottawa, and are excited to be the official hotel of the National Capital tournaments,” noted Brookstreet’s owner, Sir Terrence Matthews.

The second week of competition, the Kubota National Tournament is part of the Kubota Cup National Show Jumping Series presented by Kubota Canada Ltd.

“Kubota Canada is enthusiastic about this new event in the City of Ottawa as our nation’s capital is an important stop on our cross-Canada Kubota Cup Series,” said John Gilliland, National Marketing Manager for Kubota Canada, Ltd. “We look forward to working with this experienced team to create a new and dynamic two weeks of show jumping on some of the best footing in all of Canada.”

Acclaimed course designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil, who recently designed at the 2007 World Cup Final and 2007 Pan American Games, will be setting the tracks in the state-of-the-art grass grand prix field, considered to be the best in eastern Canada.

Charity components of the National Capital show jumping tournaments include a charity golf game at The Marshes Golf Club and a charity hockey game partnering with the Ottawa Senators Foundation in support of Roger’s House. A percentage of the proceeds from the gate will also be given to charity.

For more information on the National Capital show jumping tournaments, including sponsorship opportunities and prize lists, please contact Ainsley Hayes at ainsley.hayes@hughes.net.

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