BROMONT, QC, June 9, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Denis Paradis, Member of Parliament, Brome-Missisquoi, the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ Committee (COJEM), and Equestrian Canada (EC) held a reception on June 8th at Parliament Hill to underscore the importance of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian GamesTM in Bromont, Québec, Canada. The reception was well-attended by a number of Federal Members of Parliament and Senators, the mayor of Bromont, Mrs. Pauline Quinlan, the Secretary-General of the FEI, Sabrina Ibáñez, the FEI Group IV Chair and Bureau member, Mark Samuel of Canada who represents North America, and a delegation of about 30 representatives of several groups and organizations variously involved and in support of the Bromont 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™.
The FEI World Equestrian Games™ are held every four years, in the middle of the Olympic cycle. These Games gather, in one place and over a short period, the championships for the eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), namely jumping, dressage and para-equestrian dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting, and reining. Other than Lexington, Kentucky in 2010, Bromont will be the only location outside of Europe to host the World Equestrian Games™ to date.
The Honourable Member of Parliament, Denis Paradis, arranged the June 8th reception in order to inform and raise continued awareness about the importance of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ to Members of Parliament and Senators. Prior to the Question and Answer period at the House of Commons, Mr. Paradis underscored the economic benefits and the great pride that Canadians can showcase to an international arena of participants and visitors to this prestigious international event. In April the Games' Organizing Committee met with the Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, and provided documents to allow a thorough review and consideration by her Ministry.
The 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ will be the most significant equestrian event ever held in Canada with an estimated 1,200 riders from more than 70 countries, and 500,000 spectators, based on attendance at previous FEI World Equestrian Games™. The potential economic impact for Canada approximates $200 million, with the Province of Quebec being the primary benefactor.
The Board's interim Chairman, Mr Rosaire Houde, welcomed the "warm and enthusiastic reception for this pre-eminent international event". He further stated that "Clearly this is a huge opportunity for Canada to highlight our Equestrian talent and culture on the world stage. The financial impacts of these Games are significant. We are very happy to join the Honorable Denis Paradis and his Parliamentarian colleagues to talk about this exciting opportunity for Canada." For her part, the Mayor of Bromont said she was delighted to feel the very tangible support shown by Canadian Parliamentarians for this major undertaking, both for her city and the region as a whole.
SOURCE FEI World Equestrian Games(TM) - Bromont 2018
Rosaire S. Houde, COJEM Interim Chairman, 514-891-6301
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