Source:  News Release

 

 

Team France Claims Victory in the 2011 BMO Nations’ Cup before Record Crowd
Dramatic competition sees Canada finish in second place

Calgary, AB, September 10, 2011 - Team France has won the $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup today at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament. In front of a record crowd of 79,489, over 10,000 more than last year, Team France jumped in championship form to win one of the richest Nations’ Cup events in the World. Only four jumping faults separated France and Canada, the second place team.

Frank Techar (right), President and Chief Executive Officer, BMO Bank of Montreal, presents the Team France Chef d'Équipe (left) with the BMO Nations' Cup Trophy at the Spruce Meadows “Masters” Tournament in Calgary, AB, on Saturday, September 10, 2011. Photo Credit – Spruce Meadows Media Services

Ten teams started the coveted BMO Nations’ Cup at Spruce Meadows, each with four members selected by their Chef d’Équipe to compete for their country. They battled over a course designed by Olympic course designer, Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela, which featured 15 jumping efforts, more than 500 metres and a time allowance of 75 seconds.


“It was a dream to come to Calgary and to win with three riders is incredible,” said the French Chef d’Equipe, Thierry Pomel.


“This year’s BMO Nations’ Cup at Spruce Meadows was a stellar showing of the best riders and horses from ten countries,” said Frank Techar, President and Chief Executive Officer, BMO Bank of Montreal. Presenting the winning trophy to Chef d’Équipe Thierry Pomel, he remarked, “Team France should be proud of their first place finish in this challenging, world class competition.”


Team Canada’s Silver place finish made for a spectacular day for the home crowd. Ian Millar, Team Canada’s Captain said, “it’s the only time in the competition where it is a team event, which makes it very exciting for us as riders. There was a lot of drama out there since you never knew till the very end where it would all end up.”

 

 

2011 BMO Nations’ Cup Standings

 

1.         France

Thierry Pomel, Chef d’Équipe               

Jerome Hurel, OHM de Ponthual

Marc Delasser, Obiwan de Piliore

Roger-Yves Bost, Ideal de la Loge

 

2.         Canada

Terrance Millar, Chef d’Equipe

Ian Millar, Star Power

 Eric Lamaze, Hickstead

Jonathan Asselin, Showgirl

Tiffany Foster, Southwind VDL

 

3.         Switzerland

Stephane Montavon, Chef d’Equipe

Martin Fuchs, Principal 12

Marc Oertly, Tamira IV

Simone Wettstein, Clipmyhorse Cash and Go

Christina Liebherr, LB Callas Sitte Z