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Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series Deemed a Huge Success in 2005

November 14, 2005

Pembroke, ON --- “This Series has created such excitement that Kubota Canada could not be happier with the results of the inaugural year of the Kubota Cup,” said John Gilliland, National Marketing Manager, Kubota Canada Ltd.

The Series began in western Canada at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon in April. Series Founder and Event Organizer Sandra Fraser said, “The response from the western series was amazing. I was totally un-prepared for the positive support and enthusiasm right from the start. The honesty and spontaneity of the riders support of the series and gratitude to the sponsor was unbelievable!”

The media in the west totally embraced the concept and the focus of the series, which was to bring more professional promotion to the sport of Show Jumping, and to introduce the sport to the general public. Part of that goal was to increase the profile of equestrians (riders) to the well deserved status of 'athlete' in the public eye.

“The impressive viewership numbers, (over 108,000 viewers per episode), for the television series, are telling us we are on the right track in bringing show jumping into the households across Canada,” Gilliland continued. One of the goals of the television series was to develop a greater interest in show jumping among the general public and to introduce viewers to Olympic veterans and rising stars in the sport. 'Along For The Ride' is a 13-part series showcasing participants at each of the eight show venues while highlighting both the differences and the similarities in the challenges faced by both seasoned competitors and rookies in preparing for and competing in Grand Prix show jumping. 'Along For The Ride' began airing Sunday afternoons in early October on Global National Television and on the Prime Network.

“The horse shows themselves were a huge surprise. Their responsibility is to provide a venue for riders to compete on a fair and equal footing, deliver a well organized competition and present it in a professional manner to the public,” explained Fraser. “The horse show's management welcomed the opportunity to gain spectators and accommodated the substantial increases with excellent management.”

The member shows knew that this new and professionally supported national series would enhance their events with increased prize money, a high profile name sponsor, and media exposure on a national scale. According to Fraser more than 586,000 spectators attended the participating shows.

“The spectators embraced the athletes and the sport at the Eastern Championships in Halifax,” said Fraser. The organizers of the Maritime Fall Fair were supportive of the entire series and being a part of it.”

“The National Finals were hosted during the opening ‘Canadian’ week-end at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. The RCMP Musical Ride, the Canadian Show Jumping Championships and the Kubota Cup National Finals all contributed to fantastic spectator entertainment.”

Gilliland said that “the capacity crowd at the 2005 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto showed us that there is growing interest in following this new, nationwide series.”

“The “Royal”, with its ceremony, history and Queen's patronage insignia, brought the first Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series to the appropriate close. Beginning in Manitoba, the heartland of the country, the series spread west and east from the centre of our great country - truly bringing the world of Canadian show jumping together from coast to coast,” said Fraser. She credited the leadership of Kubota Canada Ltd and their financial sponsorship of both sport and athletes for encouraging growth, development and unity.

Fraser anticipates that additional sponsors will want to participate in the Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series next year. Many will have recognized a unique opportunity to build brand awareness throughout the Canadian Horse Industry and beyond.

Amendments are expected to the point system used to determine the Eastern and Western Champions. Fraser said that “a ‘Bonus Award’ system, acknowledging the importance of multi grand Prix wins” would be developed.

'Along For The Ride' will return and feature 39 different riders next year.

“We are now looking forward to the Royal Winter Fair in Brandon next spring (March 27 – April 1, 2006) which begins year two of the Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series," concluded Gilliland.

Kubota Canada Ltd. (www.kubota.ca ) is the leading distributor of compact diesel tractors and construction equipment in Canada through its network of 150 retail outlets. Headquartered in Markham, ON, the company is celebrating 30 years of providing Canadians with “Powerful Solutions For A Compact World.” The company’s interest in Canadian sports led it to sign the multi-year commitment, underlining its commitment to and promotion of Canadian athletes and participating events.

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