World-class riders and celebrities to gather at 10th Tournament of Champions

Canada's top show jumping riders will make this year's 10th annual Tournament of Champions (Sept. 20 to 23) a spectator's delight.

World Cup champions and Olympians will turn the spotlight on the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave for the richest outdoor show jumping event in eastern Canada.

The four-day event is the primer for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Not since the heady days of the late '80's; the era of Ian Millar and the invincible Big Ben; has Canada been in a power position for medal contention.

Canada didn't qualify to send a team to Athens in 2004, but let's not dwell on the past. Today, it's a different story. Consider Canadian equestrians' performances during the past year alone:

Take Schomberg's Eric Lamaze, 39, who for the first time in his illustrious career has broken into the world's top- 10 list. Not only has he been an instrumental part of the Nation's Cup winning teams in both Spruce Meadows and Wellington Florida, he stood on the podium in Buenos Aires to collect the individual bronze medal at the Pan Am Games this summer. If that weren't enough to stay in the top-10, earlier this month he became only the second Canadian to win the $1million CN International at Spruce Meadows. His top mount, Hickstead, is considered one of the best horses competing in the world today.

Show jumping is one of the few sports where men and women compete equally, and for Canada's Jill Henselwood, that means every grand prix is fair game. Nothing could stop Henselwood and her horse Special Ed at the Pan Am Games where their faultless rounds in every event secured the individual gold medal.

In this sport size doesn't matter. For the diminutive Erynn Ballard, 27, who stands a mere five feet two, and her supersized horse Robin Van Roosendael who towers over her at 18 hands (the average horse at this level is 16.2 hands), they have become a good luck charm for the team. On both occasions that this combination has ridden in Nation's Cup, Spruce Meadows in 2006 and Wellington 2007, the Canadian team was victorious.

You can't talk about show jumping in Canada without uttering the words "Captain Canada," the 60-year-old Ian Millar has been the elder statesman for the sport since the 1970s. He's represented Canada in nine Olympics (including the 1980 alternate games), so Beijing would be his 10th appearance. With his handsome horse InStyle, he has consistently proven to be the anchor the team needs.

In addition to our fabulous human and equine athletes, the Tournament of Champions has raised more than $650,000 to date for charities, including the Children's Wish Foundation. This year the Tournament of Champions will grant its 15th horse wish for these very deserving children with potentially life threatening illnesses.

In keeping with the Tournament's unique and original fund-raising style, the event will kick off with a Celebrity Ride n' Drive that will pit celebrities such as Curt Harnett, Lance Brown, Carlo Rota, Sheila McCarthy and Norman Jewison, with show jumping riders in this timed team event. It's a fast and fun competition using both kinds of horsepower.

This year's Tournament of Champions, known as the "horse show with heart," features the $175,000 John Deere Canada Cup Championship, Next Generation Challenge, Celebrity Ride and Drive, BMO Nesbitt Burns Hunter Classics and the National Jumper Development Series Final. Television coverage has been increased to three prime-time events on TSN airing this fall.

The family event also includes free fun-filled activities at the RE/MAX Family Village Saturday and Sunday, including the DogSmart show, birds of prey demos, a jousting display by Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament, Ken Jen Petting Zoo, The Home Depot Kids Workshop and the popular Boulevard of Champions Craft and Trade Fair.

The Tournament of Champions will continue its tradition of supporting worthwhile charities such as the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, CARD (Community Association for Riding for the Disabled) and, new for this year, the Caledon based Kids and Horses Foundation.

Admission Thursday and Friday is free; Saturday and Sunday is $5 per person or $10 per vehicle.

For more information, visit the tournament Web site at www.tournamentofchampions.ca