Ottawa's National Capital Show Jumping Tournament Looks Forward to 2011

Nine-time Olympian Ian Millar of Perth, ON, riding Dryden won the $118,000 Angelstone Productions Grand Prix, Presented by Brookstreet, on Saturday, August 21, at the 2010 National Capital Show Jumping Tournament in Ottawa, ON. Photo Credit - Yavuz

October 13, 2010 – Ottawa, Ontario – The CSI2* National Capital Show Jumping Tournament wrapped up its third annual event in August, and is now looking forward to the next edition in 2011.

Held August 11 to 22 at the Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON, the 2010 National Capital Show Jumping Tournament crowned numerous champions throughout its two-week run. With first-class FEI course designers Guilherme Jorge of Brazil and Catsy Cruz of Mexico setting the tracks, competitors enjoyed riding in the Grand Prix field, widely considered to be one of the best grass arenas in North America. The Central Region final for the Jump Canada Young Horse Series was held on the grass grand prix field, giving valuable experience to the up-and-coming superstar horses of the future, while the hunter competitors also had an opportunity to compete on the grass field as the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament was selected to host a $5,000 Jump Canada Hunter Derby.

The grand finale of the 2010 National Capital Show Jumping Tournament was the $118,000 Angelstone Productions Grand Prix, Presented by Brookstreet, held Saturday night, followed by a live performance by renowned Canadian recording artists, Blue Rodeo. Nine-time Olympian Ian Millar of Perth, ON, provided a popular hometown victory immediately followed by the live outdoor concert held on the Grand Prix field in front of 8,566 spectators.

With television coverage of three events, a ‘Rock the Runway’ fashion show produced by Regan Hayes and Vanessa Marino, and free photos available on Flickr from horse show photographer Yavuz, the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament offered much more than a horse show. As a way of recognizing the support it receives from its exhibitors, and the National Capital is pleased to introduce the unique concept of offering free competition photos, available for download at http://www.flickr.com/photos/53978741@N05/.

“We are very excited to keep giving back to the industry that supports us,” said Ainsley Hayes, Event Coordinator of the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament. “Our official photographer, Yavuz, approached us with the idea of giving photos for free, as a thank you to our exhibitors for their support. We are always striving to better our events, and it’s the little things that count.”

Hayes continued, “We were able to introduce an innovative new element to the event with year with the Blue Rodeo concert. When you introduce a new concept into an already established event, there is always a learning curve, but we have benefitted from doing it once and are working hard on improvements for 2011.”

A successful event would not be possible without generous sponsors, and the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament wishes to recognize and thank the following new sponsors who came on board for 2010 including Angelstone Productions, Bullfrog, Case IH, Ellis Don, The Karson Group, Vittoria Trattoria, and Waste Management.

Thank you also to returning sponsors Antares, ATCO, Blackbird, Brookledge, Brookstreet Hotel, Champion Shavings, CompetitiveJumpers.com, Corby Distilleries, CRS, Grand Prix, Greenhawk, Henry Equestrian Insurance, McKee Pownall, Omega Alpha, The Properties Group and Rogers Television for their continued support.

Combining Grand Prix show jumping with a live music concert is the innovative concept of Angelstone Productions, also the Grand Prix’s title sponsor. Organizers are planning to repeat the successful format in 2011, and welcome suggestions for musical acts.

To share your ideas and suggestions for 2011, please contact event coordinator Ainsley Hayes at ainsley@hayesco.ca.

The National Capital Show Jumping Tournament is produced by the Hayes Family. 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 Tournament for the family-run Hayes Co.

For more information on the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments, please visit www.hayesco.ca.