Langley Spirit of BC honours the $50,000 Sea to Sky Grand Prix as a designated event

Fort Langley, BC –Thunderbird Show Park is delighted to announce that the $50,000 Sea to Sky Grand Prix scheduled for Sunday, August 19, concluding the Fort Langley Summer Classic, has been designated as a Langley Spirit of BC event. The Spirit of BC flags will therefore be flying proudly, and the custom-designed feature fence will be presenting its usual challenge to the world-class field of riders that have already submitted their entries for this exceptional tournament.

Supported by 2010 Legacies Now and the Province of BC, Spirit of BC is a province-wide initiative that promotes community innovation, pride and excellence, and involves British Columbians in the opportunities arising from the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Langley Spirit co-chair David Esworthy said, “It is appropriate that this show jumping competition, the largest in British Columbia, be hosted in Langley, the ‘Horse Capitol of BC.’ The Langley Spirit of BC committee is proud to lend its support to this prestigious event, and our participation is appropriate in that many past, present and future Olympians will be competing.”

The core of the Spirit of BC program is a network of more than 90 Spirit of BC Community Committees representing over 200 communities across the province, helping create opportunities in a number of areas, including sport and recreation, arts and culture, literacy, volunteerism, business, and tourism. A major focus in 2008 will be the Sesquicentennial, with the proclamation of British Columbia as a Crown Colony – an event that took place in Fort Langley itself. A 150th anniversary celebration will be organized through the Spirit of BC Committee, which annually hosts week-long festivities in February in celebration of the province and its unique communities, as well as a countdown to the 2010 Winter Games. (http://www.spiritofbc.com)

The Fort Langley Summer Classic kicks off on Wednesday, August 15, concluding with the $50,000 Sea to Sky Grand Prix, which begins at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 19. Entries received from some of North America’s elite show jumping riders include, Eric Lamaze – fresh from his medal success at the Pan American Games – Kyle King, Jonathan Asselin, U.S. international Rich Fellers, Ireland’s ever-green ex-pat Eddie Macken, and Audra Fleck-Snijders. Thunderbird will also see the welcome return of two of Mexico’s most talented young riders, the brothers Alejandro and Angel Karolyi.

For Jane Tidball, Thunderbird Show Park’s President and Tournament Director, their relationship with the Langley Spirit of BC committee is especially meaningful. “It is always an honour for a Thunderbird event to be recognized in this way. It provides us with the opportunity to embrace and celebrate the spirit of the 2010 Olympics within our community.”

Thunderbird Show Park always offers the perfect occasion for a family day out – horse crazy or not! Car parking is available right by the rail of the Grand Prix ring – the perfect spot for a tailgate picnic and watching all the show jumping action. Or enjoy some delicious offerings from the on-site food and beverage concessions, then walk off the calories on the one-kilometre Show Park trail, or practice your golf skills on the putting course.

Thunderbird also looks forward to welcoming you to their Fort Langley Summer Festival (August 22–26) and also to the indoor International Horse Show, October 3–7, 2007.

For further information about Thunderbird Show Park, and its events and facilities: http://www.thunderbirdshowpark.com

Photo: Spirit of BC Co-Chairmen David Esworthy and Michael Jackstein with Jane Tidball alongside the feature fence