News Releases

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Sept. 8, 2014) - Equestrian teams from eight participating nations are scheduled to compete in the 2014 BMO Nations' Cup, one of the richest team show-jumping events in the world with a cash prize of $300,000. On Saturday, September 13, 2014, Canada's premier show-jumping event, the Spruce Meadows "Masters" Tournament, will host the BMO Nations' Cup competition featuring some 12 jumping efforts set by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela.

Fans are invited to attend and enjoy the event. Admission to the BMO Nations' Cup is $5.00 for adults and free for seniors and children under 12.

The 2014 Canadian Team, led by Chef d'équipe Mark Laskin, includes 10-time Olympian Ian Millar, 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze, Canadian Olympian Tiffany Foster and 20 year-old Ben Asselin.

"Our founding partnership with Spruce Meadows dates back nearly 40 years, and we couldn't be more proud of its evolution," said Robert Hayes, Senior Vice President, Alberta & NWT, BMO Bank of Montreal. "The BMO Nations' Cup has become a significant event both in Canada and internationally. We look forward to carrying on the great tradition and to welcoming the best teams in the world this year."

"The BMO Nations' Cup is a leading international event in our sport," said Linda Southern-Heathcott, President, Spruce Meadows. "For the athletes it's a highlight of the international calendar. We are thrilled to have the medal podium teams represented from the Olympic, World, European and Pan American Games."

About the BMO Nations' Cup

The BMO Nations' Cup is the only competition in which nations are represented by selected teams. Teams from participating countries may consist of three or four riders, and are led by a Chef d'Equipe. Each member of each team will jump one round over a course of 12 obstacles. The best three scores from each team are added together for a first round total.

The top six teams return in reverse order of standing to jump the identical course in the second round. Again, the three best scores for each team are added to the first round total to determine the ultimate winner. In the case of equality of penalties for first place, the Chef d'Equipe selects a single team member to jump.

About BMO Donations

For more than 195 years, BMO Financial Group has believed in community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility in the communities it serves. In 2013, BMO contributed more than $56 million in community donations to charitable, not-for-profit and community based institutions and organizations that help build and sustain resilient, vital and healthy communities.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services organization based in North America. The bank offers a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers. BMO Financial Group had total assets exceeding $586 billion and approximately 47,000 employees at July 31, 2014.

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 38^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 and Olympic record holder, Ian Millar, for more than 25 years.

For a tournament schedule visit the Spruce Meadows website at www.sprucemeadows.com.