MEDIA ADVISORY - BMO Welcomes Top Equestrian Teams to Compete at 2017 BMO Nations' Cup at Spruce Meadows

• Top International Equestrian teams to compete
• 2017 Canadian Team includes Ian Millar, Mario Deslauriers, Keean White and 2016 Olympic medalist Eric Lamaze
• Team Switzerland back to defend its title following a thrilling Jump Off last year against previous champions Team Brazil
• Families can enjoy free activities at the BMO Fan Centre and fun activities throughout the event

CALGARY, Sept. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - The 2017 BMO Nations' Cup Competition – one of the most prestigious team show-jumping events in the world – will feature teams from ten participating nations at the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament. The two-round competition is designed by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela, and will feature 12 jumping efforts.

Fans attending the event can enjoy free admission to the BMO Fan Centre, which features fun for the whole family, including:

• Face painters;
• Interactive games;
• Musical entertainment; and
• Autograph and photo session with all participating BMO Nations' Cup teams, including 10-time Olympian and BMO Athlete Ambassador Ian Millar, on Friday, September 8, at 1:00 p.m.

2017 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; 2016 Olympic Team Gold Medalist
4. Italy – First Time BMO Nations' Cup Contenders, Led by World Number 4 Ranked Rider Lorenzo De Luca
5. Switzerland – 2016 BMO Nations' Cup Champions, Led by 2012 Olympic Champion and 2016 FEI World Cup Champion Steve Guerdat
6. United States – 2010 BMO Nations' Cup Winner, 2004 and 2008 Olympic Team Gold Medalists, 2016 Olympic Team Silver Medalist
7. Brazil – 2015 BMO Nations' Cup Winner, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Team Silver Medalist
8. Germany – 2016 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist, 9 BMO Nations' Cup wins

The 2017 Canadian Team, led by Chef d'équipe Mark Laskin, includes Keean White, Mario Deslauriers, 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist Eric Lamaze and Canadian Olympian Ian Millar.

"This is a historic year for BMO as we celebrate our 200^th year in business," said Susan Brown, Senior Vice President, Alberta & NWT, BMO Bank of Montreal. "BMO has long been a supporter of equestrian sport in Canada, and we're proud to continue our partnership with Spruce Meadows and welcome the best in show jumping to our province."

"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 2017 season we are delighted that Team Canada will look to compete for the BMO Nations' Cup title against the very best. The roster of teams includes the reigning World, Olympic, Pan American and European Champions."

About BMO 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, and currently marking its 200th year of operations, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of $709 billion as of July 31, 2017, and more than 45,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial 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 one of the founding sponsor of Spruce Meadows, BMO Financial Group has a long and proud history of supporting equestrian sport in Canada. This is the 41^st 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 Ian Millar, Canadian Equestrian Team member and Olympic record holder, for more than 25 years.

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

SOURCE BMO Financial Group

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