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Americans Have Gold Medal Style

September 6, 2008

Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta --- The BMO Nations' Cup title was challenged today by nine top international teams at Spruce Meadows. Team Germany was looking to repeat its victory on the Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) designed course, however the Americans proved to be formidable competitors through to the end.

Two rounds of competition decided the winner of the $350,000 BMO Nations' Cup, the world's richest team jumping event. The title was also decided in front of a record crowd for the BMO Nations' Cup - a total of 63,115 fans turned out to cheer on their favourites.

The Americans had the lead with only one team to go, the defending champion Germans. The final German entry was Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst who had been able to sit out the first round thanks to his team's perfect score. Despite having a fresh horse, it did not help the Germans on this day as Pollmann-Schweckhorst finished with 8 faults, leaving them in a three-way

tie for second place with Canada and the Netherlands.

Presenting the American's with their fist championship cheque since 2002 was Bill Downe, President and Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group. "We enjoyed an exciting day of sport in the BMO Nations' Cup in front of a record crowd of enthusiastic show jumping fans," said Downe. "I am delighted

to present, on behalf of all my colleagues at BMO Financial Group, the winner's cheque to Team U.S."

The Olympic Champions, the Americans have now won two gold medals in as many weeks. "We have a great depth of riders and horses. George has done a fantastic job and our country has fantastic depth in terms of riders," said Lauren Hough of her team Chef d'Equipe, George Morris, after their win.

(See results below.)

Having a better day than his Nations' Cup teammates was young Ben Maher (GBR), winning his first for his first time at Spruce Meadows in today's $75,000 BP Cup. Maher, a Spruce Meadows rookie rode his 8 year-old Belgian Warmblood mare in the speed competition. "It was even a surprise to me that she would jump so well," said an excited Maher after his win.

(See results below.)

Today is the final day of the Spruce Meadows "Masters" Tournament and will feature the $1 Million CN International Grand Prix, set to begin at 1:15 pm.

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

This year Sylvia and Diana are on-site at Spruce Meadows, producing daily episodes for the Equinely-Inclined! podcast. Stay tuned to the E-Notes page for links to each episode as it is produced, as well as interesting information, links and information on a 50th episode 'meet-up' time and location!

BMO Nations' Cup top 6 of 9 teams - 

1-         USA    Chef d'Equipe George Morris

                        Lauren Hough                      Quick Study

                        Todd Minikus                        Pavarotti

                        Richard Spooner                   Cristallo

                        Rich Fellers                           Flexible

 2-         NED   Chef d'Equipe Rob Ehrens

                        Piet Raymakers                     Van Schijndel's
Curtis

                        Leon Thijssen                        Olaf

                        Harrie Smolders                    Walnut de Muze

                        Gerco Schroder                     Eurocommerce
Milano

 2-         CAN   Chef d'Equipe Terrance Millar

                        Jill Henselwood                     Special Ed

                        Jonathan Asselin                   Rayana Chiara

                        Eric Lamaze                          Hickstead

                        Ian Millar                               In Style

 2-         GER    Chef d'Equipe Ulrich Meyer zu Bexten

                        Holger Wulschner                Claussen

                        Thomas Muehlbauer            Asti Spumante 7

                        Markus Ehning                     Plot Bue

                        Alois Polmann-Schweckhorst Lord Luis

 5-         GBR    Chef d'Equipe Michael Mac

                        William Funnell                     Mondriaan

                        Tim Gredley                          Omelli

                        Ben Maher                             Robin Hood W

                        Robert Smith                         Vangelis S

 6-         SWI     Chef d'Equipe Dr. Stephane Montavon

                        Pius Schwizer                        Unique X CH

                        Jane Richard                          Jalla de
Gaverie

                        Daniel Etter                           Peu a Peu

Theo Muff                              Con Spirito R

BP Cup top 10 of 40 entries -

 

1-         Ben Maher                 GBR                Akosie du Wonderland

2-         Jaime Azcarraga       MEX               Forastero        

3-         Richard Spooner       USA                Pako

4-         Ashlee Bond              USA                Cadett 7

5-         Beezie Madden         USA                Prima

6-         Theo Muff                  SUI                  Karonda V.
Schl'Hof CH

7-         Cian O'Connor          IRL                 Splendor

8-         John Anderson          CAN               Gesine 36

9-         Jonathan Asselin       CAN               Rosita Fly

10-       Richard Spooner       USA                Ezrah

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