CALGARY – It marked the beginning of the “Road to London” for Canada’s equestrian team and attracts more than a half a million showjumping aficionados to the Calgary area each year.
Spruce Meadows is recognized as one of the world’s top showjumping facilities and hosted its first equestrian tournament in 1976. Located deep in the southwest corner of Calgary’s city limits, the sprawling 146-hectare facility – with a striking view of the Rocky Mountains to the west – has the stable capacity for 1,000 horses.
It is a regular haunt of 2008 Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze, who, along with longtime stalwart Ian Millar, Mac Cone and Jill Henselwood, also won silver in the team event.
“It really does have that Olympic feeling and this year the Road to London started here for the Canadians,” said Spruce Meadows vice-president Ian Allison.
“We’ve been fortunate in our history that Canada’s had some really big stars – Ian Millar, Eric Lamaze, Gail Greenough, Mario Deslauriers,” he added.
“We’re not always at the top of the game – just like Britain isn’t always at the top of the game in tennis – but Wimbledon is still a big draw on the global scale and Spruce Meadows is sort of in that ilk.”
There are six major outdoor tournaments and eight indoor tournaments at Spruce Meadows annually. The summer series is the biggest draw and will come to an end with the “Masters” which runs from Sept. 5-9, just a few weeks after the Olympic athletes return home.
The “Masters” is highlighted by the BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup which offers a $350,000 purse and is notable as the “richest team showjumping event in the world” and also by the $1 million CN International. Total purse amounts for the tournament amount to over $2 million.
“You just have to go out to the parking lot and you’ll see licence plates from virtually every state and every province – athletes from 48 nations compete here,” said Allison.
On a year that the centennial of the Calgary Stampede drew more than 1.4 million visitors, Spruce Meadows is continuing to hold its own.
“Whoever thought more people would see showjumping in a year than would see the rodeo in Calgary or the chuckwagon racing?” added Allison, noting that daily attendance as high as 70,000 people is not uncommon.
“It really has become a event.”
Still to come this fall are the “Harvest Classic” from Oct. 18-21 and “Oktoberfest” from Oct. 25-28.
Spruce Meadows hosts about 300 events outside of the showjumping activities, including convention events, trade shows and the annual International Christmas Market.
“Spruce Meadows is different things to different people,” said Allison.
“The horse is always going to be our centre point but I think the grounds are magnificent, and there are the entertainment programs, the international cuisine and the ambience.”
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If You Go:
There are 14 equestrian events each year at Spruce Meadows including three more in 2012 – the Masters from Sept. 5-9, the Harvest Classic (Oct. 18-21) and Oktoberfest (Oct. 25-28).
Reserved seating is available but regular gate admission gives visitors opportunity for rush seating for major events.
Spruce Meadows is located on Highway 22X (Marquis De Lorne Trail) which also known as Spruce Meadows Trail.
There are plenty of hotels located within 10 minutes of the venue.
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