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Show jumping fan, Janis Netzel of Coquitlam, B.C., practiced with the best in Canada after winning a BMO Financial Group contest that included a riding lesson with eight-time Olympian and show jumping sports legend, Ian Millar.
Netzel was one of 7,332 fans who entered the new contest that was developed by BMO to help celebrate Spruce Meadows’ 30th anniversary. A trip for two to this year’s Spruce Meadows “Masters” tournament held September 7-11 in Calgary was also included in the grand prize.
Netzel, a horse owner and lifelong show jumping fan, took full advantage of practicing her jumping under Millar’s guidance.
“When I was riding as a kid, everyone looked up to Ian Millar, so it is pretty unbelievable that I won a riding lesson with him,” said Netzel. “Ian has so much knowledge to share, and I tried to get as much out of the experience as I possibly could.”
Netzel’s trip to Spruce Meadows coincided with her 32nd birthday, allowing her to celebrate in style. In addition to her riding lesson with Millar, she was awarded two round-trip airfares to Calgary, three nights accommodation at the Homeplace Ranch in Priddis, AB, and two seats in the BMO Skybox during the BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup, Saturday’s featured event at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament. Before the start of the event, she will go into the International Ring for a closer look at the obstacles facing the Nations’ Cup competitors during a guided course walk.
“I have been to Spruce Meadows before, but it was always to sit on the grass as part of the free admission – this is a lot different,” laughed Netzel, who also takes home a 30th anniversary Spruce Meadows jacket and an autographed Fred Stone art poster of Millar and his most famous partner, Big Ben.
Six additional prize packages were also awarded, all including a BMO gift pack, a Spruce Meadows 30th anniversary book and picture frame, and a one-year subscription to Horse Sport magazine.
BMO is the proud sponsor of the prestigious $300,000 BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup held at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament on Saturday, September 10, which brings together the top countries in the world to compete for the most lucrative prize in team show jumping. The BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup will be broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet from 8-10 p.m. on Saturday, September 17.
As the founding sponsor of Spruce Meadows, BMO Financial Group has a long and proud history of supporting equestrian sport in Canada. Since 1977, BMO has sponsored the BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup at Spruce Meadows, attracting the top international show jumping teams to compete in Canada.
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