BMO Financial Group Jumps Forward to Sponsor Inaugural Jump Canada Hall of Fame Gala and Induction Ceremony

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BMO Financial Group Jumps Forward to Sponsor Inaugural Jump Canada Hall of Fame Gala and Induction Ceremony

Toronto, Ontario – Jump Canada is pleased to announce that BMO Financial Group will be the title sponsor of the inaugural Hall of Fame Gala held Sunday, November 5, 2006, at the Royal York in Toronto, ON.

BMO Financial Group (formerly Bank of Montreal) has a long and proud history of supporting equestrian sport in Canada. Since 1977, it has sponsored the BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup at Spruce Meadows, attracting the top international show jumping teams to compete in Canada. It also sponsored the indoor Nations' Cup tour formerly held at the Washington International Horse Show, the National Horse Show in New York, and Toronto's Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. In addition, BMO Financial Group has also been an athlete sponsor of eight-time Olympian Ian Millar since 1988.

"Given our long-standing commitment to support excellence in equestrian sport, we are very excited to be involved in the launch of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame," said Bill Downe, Chief Operating Officer, BMO Financial Group. "The incredible accomplishments of the athletes and their horses are well-deserving of public acknowledgement, and the Hall of Fame Gala will allow both fans and friends alike an opportunity to pay tribute to those that have made the sport so exciting."

Inaugural inductees into the Jump Canada Hall of Fame will be Jumper Horse - Big Ben (ridden by Ian Millar), Hunter Horse - Just Cruising, Pony - Farnley Soya, Team - The 1968 Olympic Gold Medal Team - James Day riding Canadian Club, James Elder riding The Immigrant, and Tom Gayford riding Big Dee, Rider - Gail Greenough (1986 World Champion), Sponsor - BMO Financial Group (formerly Bank of Montreal), Builder (Organization) - The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and Builder (Individual) - Brigadier-General W. Denis Whitaker D.S.O., C.M., E.D., C.D. (posthumous).

The Jump Canada Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be part of a black-tie dinner and gala held in the Imperial Ballroom of the Royal York Hotel beginning at 6 p.m. Close friends and associates will be on hand to present the Hall of Fame awards to the recipients, making for a very special evening recalling the sport's greatest memories.

Tickets for the Jump Canada Hall of Fame induction ceremony are $200 per person and can purchased individually or in tables of eight or ten. Ticket order forms can be found on the Jump Canada website at http://www.jumpcanada.ca/acrobat/JC_Hall_of_Fame_Ticket_Form.pdf or by contacting Gill Perkins, Equine Canada, at tel: 613 248-3433 ext. 101, or e-mail: gperkins@equinecanada.ca.

Jump Canada is a committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level. Jump Canada is governed by a board of directors, the majority of whom are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit www.jumpcanada.ca.

To contact us: donna@AtlanticRider.com