August 2, 2013 – Orangeville, Ontario – International show jumping returns to Orangeville, ON, with the CSI2* Orangeville International, presented by Hayes Co., held August 14 to 18 at the Orangeville Agricultural Society (OAS) Event Centre.

Building on the success of its inaugural event in 2012, the CSI2* Orangeville International will see top competitors from across the country, including numerous Olympians, vying for fame, fortune, and all-important world ranking points.

And when you have the best competitors, you need the best course designer to put the athletes, both human and equine, through their paces.  That job goes to renowned course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela, who set the tracks at both the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where Canada captured the Team Silver medal.

Palacios will have his work cut out for him in the three highlight events.  The $25,000 Hayes Co. Open Welcome will be held on Friday, August 16, followed by Saturday’s $10,000 Highland Meadows Modified Grand Prix.  The showcase event is the $50,000 CSI2* Zucarlos Grand Prix, presented by Kubota Canada & Stewart’s Equipment.  Named in memory of the legendary Zucarlos, Jay Hayes’ mount at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, Sunday’s Grand Prix will be the grand finale of the 2013 CSI2* Orangeville International and will be broadcast by Rogers television.

“Kubota Canada is very pleased to once again be partnering with the Hayes family in support of the Orangeville Showing Jumping Tournaments,” said Rob Allison, National Marketing Manager for Kubota Canada.  “Since our partnership first began at the Collingwood Horse Shows, Kubota’s relationship with the Hayes family and elite show jumping events across the country, including the Kubota Cup Show Jumping Series, has grown exponentially and increased our brand’s presence in this very important market.

“Our thinking on partnering in the show jumping world is pretty simple - every horse comes from a farm, and every farm needs a tractor,” continued Allison.  “Over the years, we’ve made many friends in the Canadian equestrian world and none more so than with the Hayes family and their supporters here in Ontario.  Kubota Canada is proud to be a partner in the Orangeville Show Jumping Tournaments, and we wish it and the Hayes family every success for many years to come.”

Sunday will also bring the culmination of the NationWide Auto Warranty 1.20/1.30m Win a Car Series, with a qualifying event on Friday followed by the Series Final on Sunday.  The overall winner in the Series will be presented with a new 2013 Kia vehicle, theirs to keep, compliments of NationWide Auto Warranty.

The Martha W. Jolicoeur Illustrated Properties Leading Lady Rider Award will also be presented to the top female based on total money won, while the Antares Leading Junior/Amateur Rider Award will recognize the top four competitors, whether in jumper or hunter competition, with a $500 Antares gift certificate for the winning rider and $200 each to the second, third and fourth placed competitors.

Prior to the start of Sunday’s Grand Prix, the Iron Horse Parade of Champions will be held in the grand prix ring, with championship coolers by Equitex, the official cooler of the Orangeville Show Jumping Tournaments.  A lead line competition, sponsored by North Point and the Letimonier family, will then take place, featuring the cutest and youngest competitors at the horse show.

While the show jumping athletes will compete on the beautiful, sand-based grass grand prix field, some of the hunter divisions will be held in the sand ring, allowing the others to be held in one large grass arena, giving hunter competition a true showcase at the Orangeville International.  With a new schedule carefully planned by Randy Roy, who will also act as course designer, hunter riders have the flexibility to ship in for the day, or to stay for the entire week of competition.

On Saturday afternoon, the $5,000 Canadian Hunter Derby, presented by the Mitton/Lewtas Family, is sure to attract a large crowd, as horses and riders are judged on their skill and finesse while negotiating natural obstacles on the open grass field.

Florida’s Scott Williamson, who will be judging in Canada later this year at Toronto’s famed Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and Carolyn Vaillancourt of Schomberg, ON, will be presiding over the hunter competition.

Spectators can enjoy the excitement from the ringside ‘Champions Pub’, open to all, where Pommies Dry Cider will be among the beverages served, or from the VIP tent, where tables are still available for purchase.  For even more entertainment, a competitors’ party featuring a lip sync contest will be held on Saturday evening, August 17.

In addition to top sport, the CSI2* Orangeville International offers fun for the whole family.  A Kid’s Zone on Saturday and Sunday will feature face painting, miniature ponies, a bouncy castle, and a talented air brush painter.

The CSI2* Orangeville International features four competition rings - two jumper and two hunter, with all of the amenities of the 84-acre OAS Event Center, including paved parking and permanent washrooms located minutes from downtown Orangeville.

Hayes Co. once again manages the CSI2* Orangeville International.  Having formerly organized show jumping tournaments in Sutton, Collingwood and Ottawa, the Hayes family is celebrating its 29th year by mounting the international show jumping event in its hometown of Orangeville.  Two-time Canadian Olympian Jay Hayes, his wife Shawn, and their three daughters, Lauren, Ainsley and Regan, and son-in-law Johan Letimonier, all call Orangeville home.

“We are so excited to be running this event in our own hometown, and the people of Orangeville are excited, too,” said Ainsley Hayes, Event Coordinator of Hayes Co.  “We are pleased to offer our competitors a beautiful, grass grand prix field in a facility that is very exhibitor friendly.  We give a warm welcome to both our new and returning competitors and, of course, we thank everyone in our ever-expanding family of sponsors.  We couldn’t do it without them!”

Hayes Co. would like to thank all of the sponsors who make the Orangeville International possible through their generous support: Antarés, Best Western Inn & Suites Orangeville, Blackbird, Casillero del Diablo, Cavalier Transportation Services, Champion Shavings, Dutch Masters, Equestrian Factory Outlet, Equitex, Friends of the Tournaments, Glen Echo Nurseries, Hearn Veterinary Services, Henry Equestrian Insurance, Highland Meadows, Highlands National Leasing, Horse Sport, Iron Horse Farm, Kubota Canada, Luke Proulx Farrier Services, Martha W. Jolicoeur/Illustrated Properties, McKee-Pownall, Mill Street, NationWide Auto Warranty, Nobelton Feed Mill, Olive Media, Omega Alpha, Orangeville Citizen, Patrón XO Café, Pommies Dry Cider, Premier Marine, Rock Garden Farms, Rogers TV, Sarkis Equine Design, St. Remy, Stewart’s Equipment, Stonewood Construction Management, the Mitton/Lewtas Family, Thompson, Tooze, McLean &Elkin, and Wentworth Stables.

The CSI2* Orangeville International is pleased to offer a portion of proceeds to the Headwaters Hospital in Orangeville, its charity partner for 2013.

For more information on the Orangeville Show Jumping Tournaments, please visit www.hayesco.ca, e-mail info@hayesco.ca or call Ainsley Hayes at cell (416) 846-8419.