Ottawa June 13, 2012 - Equine Canada, together with the Bromont Bid Committee for the 2018 FE,I World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) has received word that Canada is one step closer to hosting this prestigious international equestrian event. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) reports that five countries have been confirmed as bidders and move to Official Candidate status: Rabat (MAR); Bromont (CAN); Budapest (HUN); Vienna (AUT) and Wellington (USA).

"This is great news for Canada and the entire equestrian community," stated Paul Côté, chair of the Bromont Bid Committee. Mike Gallagher, president of Equine Canada, and a member of the committee added, "If successful, this event will create a lasting legacy for our equestrian nation, not to mention world-class facilities for our athletes to train and compete."

The Bromont Equestrian Park, located in south-east of Montreal in the eastern townships, together with the City of Montreal were host to the 1976 summer games. Bromont regularly welcomes prestigious competitions including the FEI International Bromont in Jumping and the VOLVO CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event held this past weekend, the last North American qualifying competition leading up to the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The FEI World Equestrian Games are held every four years, in the middle of the Olympic cycle. The eight FEI disciplines - Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining - are all included on the competition schedule.

"We now enter the second phase of the bid process," advises Mr. Gallagher, "and will be reaching out across the country for input from all of our disciplines, potential partners, organizers and stakeholders as we move forward together as Canadians to bring the World Equestrian Games to our country."

"As a result of hosting this event, we stand to generate millions of dollars in economic spin-offs, not to mention the creation of a world class equestrian centre capable of year-round training and competitions for decades to come."

The Bromont Bid Committee will travel to FEI Headquarters in Lausanne for a special briefing on July 11, along with the four other bidders. The Committee has until December 15, 2012 to submit its official host bid package and will receive a delegation from the FEI for a site inspection between July and then. A decision will be announced in the spring of 2013.

"We must acknowledge and thank the many supporters who have been assisting our committee in this dream," states Mr. Côté. "We could not have made it this far without their help - but going forward, we will be calling upon more government, business and equestrian partners and sponsors to get behind this major event for Canada."

"It's time to give equestrian sports, including all the riders, horses, coaches, owners and supporters, a home-town world class venue and such prestigious event in which participants will shine internationally," enthuses Mr. Côté. "It's time our nation's athletes and horses were welcomed home to the World Equestrian Games."

The following expressions of support have already come forward for the 2018 Bromont Bid from:

City of Bromont

Cirque du Soleil

Rio Tanto Alcan

Canadian Olympic Committee

Canadian Paralympic Committee

Government of Quebec

City and Tourism Montreal

City of Sherbrooke

Fédération équestre du Québec

Tourism Eastern Townships

University of Montreal

Eric Lamaze, elite athlete

Mario Deslauriers, elite athlete

Chester Webber, elite athlete

Montreal Hunt Club

John Maddem

Leopoldo Palacios, FEI course designer

The Bromont Bid Committee for the 2018 WEG will be establishing a web site in order to further communicate with the public as the bid process moves forward. Interested individuals are encouraged to stay-tuned for more information coming on line.