The action begins on Wednesday July 12 when trucks, trailers and semi-trailers roll onto the field at the National Capital Equestrian Park, situated front and center on Highway #417. Hundreds of thousands of daily commuters crawl past this temporary tented city, specially built for the millions of dollars of horse flesh that are stabled onsite. With over 700 rookie riders, veterans and Olympians including the esteemed Captain Canada, Ian Millar looking to win a piece of the $150,000 in prize money.

The featured event, the $60,000 Kubota Cup ‘Big Ben Memorial’ Grand Prix, starts July 16th, Sunday at 3 pm regardless of sun or rain, where an expected starting field of 25 horse and rider teams will give it their all.

Comprising of 4 Eastern conference qualifiers for the Canadian Grand Prix tour, the Kubota Capital Classic sets the scene. Following the Ottawa qualifier, teams head to the International Bromont competition in Quebec, July 29th (qualifier #2), Collingwood Classic August 20th (Qualifier #3), with the conclusion and the Eastern Championship hosted in Halifax, Nova Scotia October 14th at the Maritime Fall Fair. Winner of the Eastern region takes home the celebrated title of Kubota Cup Eastern Canadian Champion, and a brand new RTV900 Utility Vehicle and along with the top 5 point earners earn a free ride to the Kubota Cup National Finals, hosted in Toronto November 4th.

While we kick off in the east, an old-fashioned horse race is heating up in the Western conference of this national series which has been underway since April 1st.

21 yr old Rookie, Emily George (Calgary, AB) is holding off Olympian Jonathan Asselin (Calgary, AB) by a mere 8 points. A serious threat to the front runners for the West, with only 7 points separating her from Asselin, is defending Western Champion Tamie Phillips (Strathmore, AB). Final Qualifier and the Western Championships will be taking place in Richmond, BC at the Twin Oaks Derby August 14th. Again this division Champion along with the top 5 Western riders will be traveling east to engage in the Kubota Cup National Finals, November 4th at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.

Kitty Bowland, a faithful fan, commented when hearing that John Pearce will be defending his title of Eastern Champion, “Welcome to the real world! This is where men are pitted against women, no holds barred and it all comes down to the best team of horse and rider – strength, beauty or gender can not determine the winner – true grit and real back-bone are all that matters. Bring on the horses!”

The action isn’t confined to the Grand Prix ring. Horse lovers and sport lovers of all ages can enjoy watching and maybe getting themselves ‘caught on camera’, in the week long filming of ‘Along For The Ride’, a 13 part, ½ hour Television series featuring behind the scenes, real life experiences of the equestrian athletes as they plan, train and struggle to overcome daily obstacles before tackling the challenge of the Grand Prix. Once again Along For The Ride will be airing on National TV this fall after experiencing unprecedented success in its first run, where it reached over 1.2 million viewers across Canada. In its second season it is again directed by Gemini Nominee, John Dolin and produced by Generator Films Toronto.

“Along For The Ride’ is a Canadian production about Canadian sport throughout our country, with a little bit of Hollywood glamour. We took a great crew, interviewed fabulous athletes whose loyalty and dedication remain testament to Canadian spirit. Of course it was going to be a hit! It’s Canadian, eh” laughed the creator and Executive Producer, Sandra Fraser. A native of Pembroke Ontario and residing in the village Cobden, 60 km northwest of Ottawa, Sandra is the energy behind the series. Without prior knowledge or education in development and production of TV, the un-expected success of the show, just makes this another sample of Canadian ingenuity and spirit.

The Kubota Cup Canadian Show Jumping Series will be offering over $475,000 in purse money and prizes being offered throughout the national series as it travel coast to coast – 8 Grand Prix – 8 cities – building energy, unity and spirit in Equestrian Show Jumping.