News Releases

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Sept. 8, 2012) -

Editors Note: Three photos for this release will be available on the Canadian Press picture wire via Marketwire.

Team Germany won the 2012 BMO Nations' Cup today at the Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament. In front of a record crowd of 80,961 Team Germany jumped in championship form to win one of the richest Nations' Cup events in the world, with total prize money of $300,000.

Nine teams started the coveted BMO Nations' Cup at Spruce Meadows, each with four members selected by their Chef D'Equipe to compete for their country. They battled over a course designed by Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela, which featured 15 jumping efforts, more than 560 metres and a time allowed of 84 seconds.

"This was my first time here at Spruce Meadows and it is amazing. Not only one ring, but four rings that are so beautiful," said Philipp Weishaupt from Team Germany. "It's quite different from Europe, not easier and not harder, just different. It takes special horses to win here."

"This was our 35^th year sponsoring the BMO Nations' Cup at Spruce Meadows and it couldn't have been more exciting. The performance of both the riders and horses from the nine countries was world class," said Frank Techar, President and Chief Executive Officer, Personal and Commercial Banking Canada, BMO Financial Group.

Presenting the winning trophy to Chef D'Equipe Sonke Sonksen, Frank Techar remarked, "Germany is to be congratulated for putting on a magnificent show in this year's team show-jumping event."

Team Germany, the reigning World and Nations Cup Top League Champions came to Spruce Meadows following a very disappointing team result at the London Olympics. Germany put on a great show, winning their seventh BMO Nations' Cup.

2012 BMO Nations' Cup Standings

1. Germany

Chef D'Equipe: Sonke Sonksen

Christian Ahlmann

Hans Dieter Dreher

Daniel Deuβer

Philipp Weishaupt

2. Ireland

Chef D'Equipe: Robert Splaine

Andrew Bourns

Shane Sweetnam

Shane Breen

Jennifer Crooks

3. Netherlands

Chef D'Equipe: Sven Harmsen

Harrie Smolders

Jur Vrieling

Jeroen Dubbeldam

Leon Thijssen

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $542 billion as at July 31, 2012, and more than 46,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.

About BMO and the Equestrian Community:

As the founding sponsor of Spruce Meadows, BMO Financial Group has a long and proud history of supporting equestrian sport in Canada. This is the 35^th year that BMO has sponsored the BMO Nations' Cup at Spruce Meadows, attracting the top international show jumping teams to compete in Canada. In addition, BMO has proudly sponsored Canadian Equestrian Team member, Ian Millar for over 23 years.

For a complete list of results and tournament schedule visit the Spruce Meadows website at www.sprucemeadows.com.

To view the photos associated with this release, please visit the following links:

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20120908-BMO-Nations-Cup0018.jpg

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20120908-BMO-Nations-Cup0028.jpg

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20120908-BMO-Nations-Cup0038.jpg