Opening Weekend at The Royal Horse Show

The RCMP Musical Ride, Canadian Show Jumping Championships presented by Greenhawk,
the Kubota Cup National Final and the Ontario Toyota Dealers Royal Rodeo headline an action-packed opening weekend
in the Horse Show at the 86th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Toronto, Ontario – The 2008 Royal Horse Show will open this Friday, November 7th, with an action-packed weekend highlighting the best in Canadian equestrian sport. Held as part of the 86th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, The Royal Horse Show offers over $795,000 in total prize money and runs from November 7 through 16 at the Ricoh Coliseum, Exhibition Place. For the first time ever, all the action from the Coliseum will be web-cast on the internet at www.royalfair.org.
 
Hot off his Olympic silver-medal team performance this summer, returning Canadian Champion Ian Millar will be looking to defend his title in the $100,000 Canadian Show Jumping Championships presented by Greenhawk. The two-phase event takes place the evening of Friday, November 7, and the afternoon of Saturday, November 8. Millar will face stiff competition not only from his Olympic teammate Jill Henselwood, but also from his son, Jonathon and daughter, Amy.
 
Saturday evening will see the $100,000 Kubota Cup National Final host the top 21 riders from the coast-to-coast series. The race is tight with the Western division being led by Lindsay Hitchener and her horse Billy Autumn with 502 points, and the Eastern division led by Yann Candele with Mustique, with 540 points. Last year’s Kubota Cup Champion is Ian Millar though, and you can bet he won’t let his title go without a fight.
 
The pomp and pageantry of the world-renowned RCMP Musical Ride returns to The Royal for four performances only: Friday, November 7th (8:30pm), Saturday, November 8th (3:15pm and 10:15pm) and Sunday, November 9th during the Ontario Toyota Dealers Royal Rodeo. This year’s Rodeo has a new shining star – Robin Williamson of Erin, Ontario – the World Congress Barrel Racing Champion. She is the first from Ontario to hold this prestigious crown and will be bringing her A-game to The Royal.
 
“The Royal is the pinnacle of the Canadian competition season for equestrian sport,” explains John Dunlap, Chairman of the Horse Show. “The level of competition this year is outstanding, starting with opening night. It’s going to be a great ten days of sport in Toronto.”

CBC Television will be broadcasting the final round of the Canadian Show Jumping Championships presented by Greenhawk on Saturday, November 8th from 4:00pm – 6:00pm Eastern. They will also be broadcasting the CN FEI World Cup QualifierTM on Saturday, November 15th from 1:30pm – 3:30pm Eastern.
 
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and The Royal Horse Show run from November 7-16. For schedule and ticket information please visit www.royalfair.org or call 416-263-3400.
 
PHOTO: Ian Millar has the potential to defend two titles over opening weekend at The Royal Horse Show – Canadian Show Jumping Champion and Kubota Cup Champion. Photo credit Michelle C. Dunn.