August 5, 2004 – Collingwood, Ontario – The 2004 Collingwood Horse Show is preparing for two weeks of international show jumping competition with the return of the Collingwood Festival held August 11-15 and the Collingwood Classic held August 18-22.

Spectators can look forward to exciting show jumping action taking place at Fisher Field, located close to downtown Collingwood. At the Collingwood Festival, the grand prix riders will receive a warm welcome on Friday during the $10,000 Kubota Canada Open Welcome. Earlier that day, fans will have a sneak peek at the show jumping stars of tomorrow as potential future Olympic athletes are showcased in the Gary Cooper Chev Olds Rising Star Series, held in memory of Matthew Mulligan, while the Canadian Young Horse Jumper Development Series will host classes for Four, Five and Six-Year-Old horses.

On Saturday, the $5,000 Molson Canada Modified Grand Prix will take center stage in the Grand Prix ring followed by a Grooms Class, giving those who play an important role behind the scenes an opportunity to show off their riding skills. Sunday features the $2,500 Junior/Amateur Grand Prix in the morning followed by the Collingwood Festival’s featured event, the $50,000 Collingwood Festival Grand Prix. Course designing honours throughout the week will go to Canada’s own Rick Smith.

The following week, August 18-22, the Collingwood Classic will feature a wide variety of competition. On Thursday, the $5,000 7 and 8-Year-Old Collingwood Classic Championship, unique within the horse industry, will be held for horses just beginning their grand prix careers. Mirroring the Collingwood Festival, Friday will feature the $5,000 Kubota Canada Open Welcome while Saturday again offers a $5,000 Molson Canada Modified Grand Prix. Two weeks of show jumping action culminates on Sunday, August 22, with a $2,500 Junior/Amateur Grand Prix in the morning followed by the $25,000 Scotia Private Client Group Grand Prix, Presented by the Town of Collingwood. Throughout the Collingwood Classic, Hector Loyola of Puerto Rico, one of the youngest FEI course designers in the world, will bring his progressive style to the Grand Prix ring.

The Collingwood Horse Shows are organized by two-time Canadian Olympian Jay Hayes, and his wife, Shawn. All three daughters - Lauren, 24, Ainsley, 22, and Regan, 19, also play vital roles, making the event a true family affair.

“We are really excited about this year’s show,” notes Collingwood Horse Show Manager, Ainsley Hayes. “In addition to welcoming back our long-time supporters, we are also introducing some new sponsors to the Collingwood Horse Show this year including Kubota Canada who will have on-site displays and demonstrations. The show jumping competition will be more exciting than ever with some of the top names in the sport committed, and there are still more entries coming in.”

In addition to show jumping action, the Collingwood Horse Show will also feature numerous vendors in the trade fair and fun family entertainment courtesy of Scooter the Clown and The Master of Magic.

The Collingwood Horse Show expects to attract approximately 800 horses over the two weeks of competition representing such nations as Bermuda, Canada, Colombia, France, and the United States. Admission is free on Wednesdays and Thursdays, while $5 per vehicle will be charged on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sunday, admission will be $10 per vehicle with a portion of the proceeds being donated to Grace Therapeutic Riding.

For more information, please visit www.collingwoodhorseshow.com.