Toronto’s Royal Horse Show Ready for Another Exciting Event

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Toronto’s Royal Horse Show Ready for Another Exciting Event

Toronto, Ontario – When the 84th Royal Horse Show takes place from November 3-12, 2006, as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, ON, fans can expect to see many of their time-honoured favourites as well as several exciting new features.

In what has quickly become a Royal tradition, the Opening Weekend of the Royal Horse Show will feature the Canadian Show Jumping Championship. Held over two days, Friday evening and Saturday afternoon when it is broadcast on CBC Sports, the Canadian Championship sees the best show jumping competitors in the country vying for the coveted title. Jill Henselwood will be back to defend the national title featuring $70,000 in prize money presented by Greenhawk Harness and Equestrian Supplies Inc. and Ariat International Inc.

Just hours after the Canadian Champion has been crowned, more homegrown talent will line-up to take on the $60,000 Kubota Cup Grand Prix on Saturday evening, November 4. Riders from coast to coast have qualified to compete based on their performances in the eastern and western divisions of the Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series.

Sunday will feature the ever-popular, and family friendly, Royal Rodeo. It's 'edge of your seat' action as 50 of Canada's top cowboys and cowgirls compete in bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, and barrel racing events.

Monday and Tuesday evening feature a new event that is a 'Royal First'. For the first time in North America, Indoor Eventing will make its debut at the Royal Horse Show. Sponsored by Don Good Crop Services, the Indoor Eventing Derby will see six well-known Canadian eventing personalities competing in a speed class over natural eventing obstacles, all within the confines of the Ricoh Coliseum.

Tuesday also marks the opening of the International Show Jumping Division with the top Canadian, American and international competitors vying for top honours in a variety of classes. Canada's own Michel Vaillancourt will set the challenging courses in events such as Wednesday's CN World Cup Grand Prix, Thursday's popular National Steel Car Four Bar Challenge, and Friday's Weston Canadian Open.

The harmony of dressage takes center stage on Thursday evening with the FEI World Cup Canadian League Final, presented by Yamana Gold. The top five riders in the nation are invited to compete for the opportunity to be Canada's sole representative at the 2007 World Cup Final in Las Vegas, USA. Always one of the first Royal Horse Show performances to sell-out, the Musical Freestyle performances capture the imagination as horse and rider seemingly dance as one to the music.

For those that cannot get enough dressage, Canadian Olympic Medalist Eva-Maria Pracht will choreograph a Grand Prix Dressage Quadrille, presented by SSG Riding Gloves. Six horses and riders will move in unison to the music, performing a true equine ballet, on Friday evening as well as Saturday afternoon.

Also on Saturday evening, November 11, the Marsh Royal Championship Six-Horse Hitch will mark the culmination of three nights of consecutive competition. The thundering hooves of six harnessed horses are truly an awesome sound, while the beautifully turned-out gentle giants are a sight to behold.

To bring the 84th Royal Horse Show to an end, the featured event on Closing Night, which will also be televised, is the Ricoh 'Big Ben' Challenge, named for the most famous horse in the history of Canadian show jumping. Saturday evening also marks the exciting conclusion of the Carriage Racing Derby, a four-night feature that sees the world's best drivers negotiate a challenging indoor track with teams of four horses. In one of the most heart-pounding displays of bravery, the drivers race against the clock amid pounding music and raucous cheering from the spectators.

The final Sunday, November 12, is a great day to bring the family to the Royal. Dubbed 'SuperDog Sunday', the main attraction is an extended performance by the IAMS SuperDogs. There will also be demonstrations by the Toronto Mounted Unit, the Prince Philip Mounted Games, and driving races to cap off yet another successful Royal Horse Show.

"There is so much happening at the Royal Horse Show this year, with some exciting new additions as well as changes based on exhibitor feedback," notes John Dunlap, the new Chairman of the Royal Horse Show. "We are especially excited about the Indoor Eventing Derby on Monday and Tuesday. This is a concept that was developed in Germany, and having it at the Royal Horse Show will mark the first time that such an endeavour has been undertaken indoors in North America.

"In addition, Canadian show jumping is on a tremendous upswing following the Team's recent victory in Calgary and we look forward to seeing them go head to head with the best competitors from the World Championships at the Royal Horse Show," added Dunlap.

To contact us: donna@AtlanticRider.com