Good Day - We are thrilled to announce the Canadian Nationals for
Competitive Trail Riding, Endurance and Ride and Tie will be held in
Alberta in 2008!

As below:

January 3, 2008 Media Release

Three Long Distance Disciplines,
Canadian National Champions to be Declared

Calgary - Top caliber long distance competitors from across Canada
and the United States are preparing their mounts for the Rocky
Mountain Challenge – 2008 Canadian Nationals to be held in Alberta,
Canada; July 31 – August 4, 2008.

Showcasing the equestrian sports of competitive trail riding,
endurance and ride n' tie, the event is expected to attract over 200
competitors and their horses. The Canadian Nationals are hosted
every two years. Alberta is keenly looking forward to defending
their competitive trail team silver medals from the 2006 Nationals
that were hosted in Quebec and hope to oust Ontario from the top spot
and bring home the gold.

Sandra Nielsen, the 2006 Alberta team Chef d' Equipe, spearheads the
2008 Rocky Mountain Challenge, a non-profit organization formed to
host this event. An enthusiastic rider and organizer of local
competitive trail rides, Nielsen is excited about hosting these eight
prestigious events over a five-day period with courses varying from
25 – 100 miles.

"The RMC is very excited to be hosting AHA, AERC and FEI sanctioned
events as well." Explains Nielsen. "The 100 mile FEI event in
particular, will offer international competitors an opportunity to
qualify for the World's in 2010 which will bring in some of the top
names in CTR, Endurance and Ride & Tie. Yet the event will still
offer amateur riders to try their luck and experience the prestige of
such a high caliber event."

The AHA (Arabian Horse Association) is a cross-entry available to
sweepstakes horses, the AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference) is
the American Endurance sanctioning body and the FEI (Federation
Equestrian Internationale) is the international governing body for
all Olympic equestrian disciplines including endurance.

The Rocky Mountain Challenge organizing committee is anticipating
that the format will encourage families and friends to fill the
stalls of their horse trailers and truly take advantage of all the
offerings.

The Rocky Mountain Challenge will be held at Red Deer River Ranches
located South-West of Sundre, Alberta, July 31- August 4, 2008. This
active cattle ranch established in 1890 boasts towering spruce, aspen
and pine trees in the picturesque foothills between Brown and
Williams creek. A destination resort, Red Deer River Ranches offers
true Canadian wildlife viewing on it and its neighboring 50,000 acres
not to mention the incredible terrain challenge that the trail
committee will be putting together.

This National level equestrian competition will feature eight events
in three long-distance equestrian disciplines including; competitive
trail, endurance and ride n' tie. The event is expected to see over
200 riders participating from across North America with riders from
other countries already making inquiries.

Action:

Calendar of Events: Please be sure to add this exciting event to your
calendar of events in your publication and on your website if you
have one.

Website: www.canadiannationals.org

Volunteers: A volunteer database is being compiled to match
experience with needs. What a fantastic opportunity to come and
participate in a National level event and see the beautiful Alberta
scenery.

Free Copy: We would be happy to offer free copy on the event geared
to your publication or organization. Please specify what issue would
work best as well as deadlines and what angle you would like the
story to take.

We look forward to meeting you at the
Rocky Mountain Challenge – 2008 Canadian Nationals This Summer!

For further information, please contact:

Cyndi Rowat
Public Relations
Ph 403.936.2369
Email: cyndi.rowat@...

Sandra Nielsen
President
Ph 403.637.0245
Email: Sandra.Nielsen@...

Details on the host ranch:
www.reddeerriverranches.com