October 31, 2006 – Toronto, Ontario – The inaugural Jump Canada Hall of Fame Gala and Induction Ceremony has been met with overwhelming response from both corporate and individual sponsors. Sponsor support will ensure that the Hall of Fame Gala and Induction Ceremony held Sunday, November 5, 2006, at the Royal York in Toronto, ON, is a resounding success.

BMO Financial Group, which has a long-standing tradition of sponsoring equestrian show jumping competition since 1977, was the first to step forward as the title sponsor of the event.

CN will be the presenting sponsor of the reception held prior to the dinner and induction ceremony. CN is extremely supportive of show jumping events in North America, presenting the richest grand prix in the world, the $1 million CN International, each September at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, AB, as well as being the title sponsor of the CN World Cup Grand Prix to be held during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON, just three days following the Hall of Fame Gala. During dinner, Henry Equestrian Insurance Brokers Ltd. will sponsor the wine.

Several supporters have stepped forward as presenting sponsors of the awards that will be given to the inaugural inductees in eight categories. Award sponsors include Knightwood Stables and the Guthrie Family, Sam-Son Farm, Torrey Pines Stable Inc., Tournament of Champions, and Jump Canada. The award given to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, which is being inducted in the category of Builder (Organization) is presented in memory of Alfred S. Rogers.

"We are honoured to have the support of so many corporate and personal sponsors," said Mark Samuel, Chair of the Jump Canada Hall of Fame as well as Past Chair of Jump Canada. "In particular, BMO Financial Group jumped on board as title sponsor early on, and now CN has also stepped forward in a major way to host the evening's reception. Our sponsors each represent excellence in their respective fields of endeavor and we welcome their partnership as we recognize the excellence of our human and equine heroes."

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

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. 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.

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.