November 3, 2006 – Toronto, Ontario – Anticipation is mounting as 21 Grand Prix equestrian riders arrive in Toronto, ON, to compete in one of the premier events in Canadian Show Jumping, the Kubota Cup National Finals.

The grand finale gets underway Saturday, November 4, 2006, at the Ricoh Centre, hosted at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The riders, who have earned their place at the Royal based on their performances in qualifiers during the regular season, will start with a zero balance for this final Grand Prix event. It all comes down to the last ride of the night in determining who will be the 2006 Kubota Cup National Finals Champion.

Top ranked John Pearce, 46, (Stouffville, ON), arrives in Toronto having enjoyed a sensational season with $350,570 in earnings, putting him at the top of the 2006 list of Canadian money earners. Pearce, two-time Eastern Canada Winner, will be facing for the first time this season, Western Canadian Champion Tamie Phillips, who hails from Alberta.

Phillips is enjoying the best season of her career. As the top ranked rider of the western division, Tamie Phillips, 34 (Strathmore, AB), won over runner-up Jonathan Asselin, 48, (Calgary, AB). Having earned the Kubota Cup Western Canadian Championships for the second year in a row in Richmond, BC, her career has been gaining momentum. Phillips is entering the closing round in Toronto as a top candidate for the Kubota Cup National Finals.

With 21 competitors taking a shot at the National Finals champion title, Saturday night's winner could be anyone on the Kubota Cup Leader Board. Pearce, Ian Millar, Mike Grinyer, Jay Hayes, and Beth Underhill are all seasoned veterans, some riding more than one horse which gives them a larger margin for success. Phillips, Gary Brewster and Karen Cudmore form the western power, but they arrive after a 2,500-mile trip to Toronto, which creates a slight disadvantage. And with a full slate of rookies hot off their winning steaks; Lauren Hunkin, Hayley Alfonso, Sophie Nihon, Elissa Reisman and Emily George, a tough day at the office would not begin to compare to what faces these show jumpers. Bright lights, big jumps, personal pressure; all of this guarantees exciting Canadian Grand Prix Show Jumping!

The Kubota Cup National Finals at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 4.

The Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series is filmed throughout the season and featured on ALONG FOR THE RIDE, a 13 part Television series soon to air on Global National Television. Check your local listings across Canada to verify all show times. www.fortheride.net


For more information, please contact:
Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series
www.kubotacup.ca
613-312-0731 Main Office
613-312-0652 Press Office