Olympic Silver Medalists Eric Lamaze (left) and Ian Millar present a pony to 11-year-old Anna Edwards of Tisdale, SK, on behalf of the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. Photo by Cealy Tetley, www.tetleyphoto.com

October 14, 2009 – Palgrave, Ontario – The Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, held September 23-27 at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON, raised over $40,000 for its charity partner, the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.

In a week highlighted by various fundraising activities to support the Children’s Wish Foundation, the most poignant moment came when 2008 Olympic Silver Medal teammates Eric Lamaze and Ian Millar assisted in the presentation of a pony to 11-year-old Anna Edwards of Tisdale, SK, on behalf of the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.

“It was an honour for me to be a part of this special presentation,” said Olympic Champion Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, who flew in from his European training base in Belgium to take part in the activities. “It is a great privilege for us as riders to be able to give back to the Children’s Wish Foundation. It is a charity that is very close to my heart.”

Anna was accompanied on the trip to the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament by her parents, Joseph and Julia Edwards, as well as her younger sister, Ayla. Her riding outfit and equipment was purchased through the Equestrian Factory Outlet, thanks to Marc Nichol’s generous donation of a $1,000 gift certificate.

Competitors at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, organized by Equestrian Management Group (EMG) of Caledon, ON, got behind the cause by donating their prize money back to the Children’s Wish Foundation. Many children also did their part, participating in a horseless horse show on Saturday which saw all proceeds going to the Children’s Wish Foundation.

Saturday evening’s Children’s Wish ‘Celebration’, featuring dinner and dancing, was sold out weeks in advance and saw lively bidding in the live and silent auctions on numerous items, many of which were donated by vendors in the ‘Unique Boutiques’ shopping area. The evening also featured a draw for a diamond, a charity casino, and a live band.

“The support of the equestrian community for this year’s event made for a spectacular evening,” said Linda Pabst, Co-Chair of the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament’s Children’s Wish Committee. “The smile on Anna’s face when she received her equestrian wish made all the hours of volunteer work worthwhile. The whole evening was an overwhelming success, and our live and silent auctions were fantastic. In total, more than $40,000 was raised for the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada”

The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada works with the community to provide children living with high-risk, life-threatening illnesses with the opportunity to realize their most heartfelt wishes. Celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year, the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada has made 15,000 wishes come true, including the wish of several children to own a horse or pony.

“The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada is pleased and honoured to be associated with the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament,” said Chris Kotsopoulos, CEO of the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. “The Tournament's success will provide much needed funds to help grant the most heartfelt equestrian wishes of children with life threatening illnesses. We also would like to thank the organizers, Equestrian Management Group, as well as the many volunteers and donors who share our vision of providing the experience of laughter, shared joy and treasured memories for our wish children and their families.”

The 2010 Canadian Show Jumping Tournament will be held September 22 to 26. In addition to hosting several equestrian events organized by Equestrian Management Group each year, the Caledon Equestrian Park has been selected as the equestrian venue by the 2015 Pan American Games/Para Pan American Games Bid Corporation.

For more information on the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament and Equestrian Management Group, please visit www.equiman.com.