News Releases

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Sept. 10, 2015) - The 2015 BMO Nations' Cup Competition - one of the richest team show-jumping in the world - will feature equestrian teams from 8 participating nations, competing on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Spruce Meadows "Masters" Tournament. The competition course is designed by two-time Olympic course designer, Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela and will feature some 12 jumping efforts.

Fans are invited to attend the event. Admission to the BMO Nations' Cup is free for seniors and children under 12, and $5.00 for adults. In addition, the BMO Fan Centre (free admission) features fun for the whole family, including face painters, caricaturists, interactive games, autograph and photo sessions and musical entertainment.

2015 BMO Nations' Cup Teams

1. Canada - 2006 BMO Nations' Cup Winner; 2008 Olympic Team Silver Medalist; 2015 Pan Am Games Gold Medalists
2. Belgium - 2013 BMO Nations' Cup Silver Medalist
3. France - 1993 and 2011 BMO Nations' Cup Winner
4. Great Britain - 2012 Olympic Team Gold Medalist; 2013 European Champions; 10 BMO Nations' Cup wins
5. Switzerland - Led by 2012 Olympic Champion Steve Guerdat
6. United States - 2010 BMO Nations' Cup Winner, 2004 and 2008 Olympic Team Gold Medalists
7. Netherlands - 1981, 1997 and 2009 BMO Nations' Cup Winners, reigning World and European Champions
8. Brazil - 1996, 2000 Olympic Team Silver Medalist, led by 2004 Olympic Champion Rodrigo Pessoa

The 2015 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 four-time Canadian Show Jumping Champion Yann Candele. Fielding the same team that won the gold medal at the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games, Canada has another victory at the BMO Nations Cup in it's sights.

"BMO is proud to support equestrian sport in Canada, and celebrate the 40^th anniversary of our partnership with Spruce Meadows," said Susan Brown, Senior Vice President, Alberta & NWT, BMO Bank of Montreal. "The BMO Nations' Cup showcases leading international talent and we look forward to welcoming the best in show-jumping at this premier event."

"The BMO Nations' Cup has become a premier team event in our sport over the last four decades," said Spruce Meadows President and CEO, Linda Southern-Heathcott. "Our partnership with BMO Financial Group is something we truly cherish. Together we have worked to bring the very best of international show-jumping to these grounds. For our 40^th Anniversary Season we are delighted that Team Canada will look to defend its BMO Nations' Cup title against the very best. The roster of teams include the reigning World, Olympic, Pan American and European Champions."

About Nations' Cup

The 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 off.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of approximately $672 billion as of July 31, 2015, and more than 47,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

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 39^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.