Ottawa, Ontario – Jump Canada is pleased to announce that ten hunter/jumper competitions will receive, in total, over $19,000 from the Competition Venue Development Fund, an innovative project designed to improve the safety at Canadian horse shows.

Initiated in 2003, the Competition Venue Development Fund reimburses show organizers, or geographic groups of competitions, that re-invest in their competition facilities in order to enhance the showing experience and conditions for competitors and their horses.

The 2004 beneficiaries of the Jump Canada Venue Development Fund are:

- Thunderbird Show Park, BC
- Pépinière Spring & St-Lazare Spring Shows, QC
- Classique Internationale de Blainville, QC
- Twin Oaks Derby, BC
- True North Horse Show, AB
- Cornerstone Horse Show, ON
- Teesdale Spring & Summer Tournaments, AB
- Fox Run Jumper Show, ON
- Crescent Stables Spring Fling, BC
- Wildwood Summer Classic, AB

“There were more applications in this second year of the Jump Canada Venue Development program, so the committee had to make some difficult choices," noted Jump Canada Chair Elizabeth Bordeaux. “Once again, it was decided to put the focus on safety, which we feel has to be the number one goal of all competitions. Accordingly, we have awarded funding for projects such as buying safety cups and improving footing.”

For the 2005 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 Competition 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 www.jumpcanada.ca .