Jump Canada Awards Venue Development Fund

Ottawa, Ontario—Jump Canada has distributed a total of $30,000 to six hunter/jumper competitions through the Jump Canada Venue Development Fund, an innovative project designed to improve the safety at Canadian horse shows.

Initiated in 2003, the Venue Development Fund reimburses show organizers or geographic groups of competitions that re-invest in their competition facilities to enhance the showing experience and conditions for competitors and their horses. Jump Canada subsidizes projects such as footing upgrades, show ring fencing and permanent improvements to show grounds by partnering with provincial organizations and competition organizers.

The 2008 beneficiaries of the Jump Canada Venue Development Fund are:

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– National Capital Show Jumping Tournament, Ottawa, ON

– Pepiniere and St. Lazare Horse Shows, St. Lazare, QC

– Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, Brandon, MB

– Thunderbird Show Park, Langley, B.C.

– Annapolis Valley Exhibition Hunter Jumper Show, Lawrencetown NS

– Manitoba Hunter Jumper Association, Birds Hill Park, Oakbank, MB

“The emphasis of the venue development funding has been on safety issues like jump cups and footing,” said Jump Canada Chair, John Taylor. “This year, we expanded the program somewhat and were able to fund projects designed to improve the overall quality of the shows such as building natural obstacles like a bank, for instance.”

For the 2009 season, horse show organizers are invited to submit requests for project funding they feel will enhance the quality, safety, and level of competition at their venues. The changes must directly benefit all competitors and the results must have lasting benefits that will enhance the competition in future years. The Venue Development Fund will reimburse only for funds expended by the recipients. For more information on the Competition Venue Development Fund as well as application forms, please visit the Jump Canada Venue Development section of the Equine Canada website. The application deadline for 2009 funding is November 30.