From left to right – Ian Millar, Terry Matthews, Karen Sparks, Ainsley Hayes, Mac Cone and Jay Hayes. Photo Credit - Linda Scott Harris

August 12, 2009 – Ottawa, Ontario – The National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments opened on Wednesday, August 12, bringing international show jumping competition to Ottawa, ON, for the next two weeks.

Running August 12-16 and August 19-23, the biggest names in show jumping will compete at the Nepean National Equestrian Park located at Moodie Drive and the 417 highway. Three-quarters of Canada’s Olympic Silver Medal Team are in attendance including nine-time Olympian Ian Millar of Perth, ON. He is joined by Ottawa native Jill Henselwood and Mac Cone of King City, ON.

“The quality of this competition is what makes it special,” said Millar, 62, who is the Honourary Chair of this year’s National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments and will be competing with his Olympic mount, In Style. “It is also in the community where I live, and I have family that can come out and enjoy the show.”

Henselwood, whose training center is based south of the city in Oxford Mills, ON, echoed Millar’s sentiments.

“Ottawa is my hometown, and I take great pride in jumping here,” said Henselwood, 46. “My students are very excited to be competing here. I also have a lot of family and friends that are coming out to watch.”

Brookstreet hotel owner Terry Matthews attended opening day at the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments. As the partner hotel of the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments, Brookstreet is home to many of the international competitors for two weeks. Brookstreet will host a competitor barbeque as well as a charity golf tournament at The Marshes on Monday, August 17, which is open to the general public. Brookstreet is also the title sponsor of the grand finale, the $75,000 Brookstreet Grand Prix on Sunday, August 23.

“These events ought to be about having fun, and here we are in the national capital with a great event,” said Matthews whose daughter, grand prix competitor Karen Sparks, trains with Millar. “This is turning out to be a great event and I'm delighted to be a part of it. I never get involved with anything short term with Ian, so we’re here long term. He's getting older, so am I, and we're both having fun. We'll make sure that we have a great event, and that it will go on for many years to come.”

The first week of competition will feature the $10,000 Marshes Open Welcome on Friday, August 14, followed by the popular Grooms Class and the JustWorld International Horseless Horse Show, which sees children competing on foot over minituare jumps. Saturday features the $15,000 ATCO Derby while the $25,000 National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments Grand Prix begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 16.

Week two, sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), will feature the $10,000 CompetitiveJumpers.com Open Welcome on Friday, August 21. On Saturday evening, August 22, the $15,000 Modified Grand Prix and a BBQ will be held in support of the United Way City of Ottawa Campaign. The National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments concludes with the $75,000 Brookstreet Grand Prix on Sunday, August 23.

Competition begins each morning at 8 a.m. and is open to the general public. Admission is $5 per person on Thursdays and Fridays, and $10 per person on Saturdays and Sundays, parking included, in support of the United Way City of Ottawa Campaign. Children five and under are admitted free.

Co-Chairs are two-time Canadian Olympian Jay Hayes and his wife, Shawn, while Event Coordinator, Ainsley Hayes, organizes and manages the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments for the family-run Hayes Co.

“The support from the community is strong, and it is the primary reason we brought this event to Ottawa,” said Ainsley Hayes. “The fans are loyal, and are great supporters of show jumping. Local support is vital to the continuation of this world-class event. Without it, we could not bring a show jumping tournament of this caliber to the Ottawa area.”

For more information on the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments, please visit www.hayesco.ca, or call (613) 769-7221.