As a Canadian rider, what does the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament mean to you?
I grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and so Spruce Meadows practically on my doorstep. Since my childhood I have admired Spruce Meadows and have dreamed of competing at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to do so for several years now.
The CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament is extraordinary. As a Canadian and a Calgarian, I am very proud of the show, what they have put on, and the community that they have brought together over the years. The CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament is an incredible event and to bring the best show jumping horses and riders to Calgary is something that is incredibly special for me, my family, and many Calgarians.
The CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament is one of the leading shows in the world and has maintained its prestigious status for many years. The week of the ‘Masters’ has become a spectacle, and to be able to compete there is truly amazing. I look forward to it every year and try to plan my year around. I love the ‘Masters’ Tournament, it is my favourite show!
The arena at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament is highly unique; do you have to ride differently there compared to other arenas?
I think Spruce Meadows is making great strides in modernizing its facilities, from the course designs to the materials they use; they keep up with the show jumping trends. The International Ring is a big grass arena, and requires riders to gallop and ensure their horses are responsive and confident.
The jump-offs that take place there are some of the best in the world. Riders can really get their horses going and galloping around the course. When competing at this level, your horse must trust you, be brave, and feel comfortable performing in such an incredible atmosphere.
Can you tell us about how important your team is to your success?
We have an incredible team behind us with great staff who work extremely hard, as well as co-owners and owners. I could go on naming everyone who have helped get both Matt and I get to the point that we are at today. We would definitely not be able to be here without our team’s hard work, dedication, and love for the horses. It sounds cliché but when things go well, it is really not just mine or Matt’s success, it is our whole team’s success.
What qualities do you think a horse and rider need to have to win a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major?
There are only four Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors a year, so to win one takes a lot of planning and you rarely see a new partnership win one. Horse and rider combinations have to have spent enough time together at the highest level of the sport before they are able to win a competition as prestigious as a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major.
A rider needs to know their horse completely and the wider team needs to know the plan and preparations for the Major inside out. Even if everything is perfect, in show jumping we are working with live-animals, so anything can happen. Aside from hard work and dedication over, it takes a bit of luck to win a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major.
Our sport is a lifetime sport and there is a reason for that – it takes a long time to put things together and develop horses so that they reach their best ability. There is so much involved in our sport, so I think that winning a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major needs to be celebrated because it does not happen often during a rider’s career.
Can you tell us about your current string of horses, and do you think any are capable of winning a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major?
I have a really good group of horses at the moment. I’m still developing quite a few, including some younger ones in Europe that we believe have great potential. My best horse right now is Igor GPH, and we have been together for about two years. We’ve competed in some five-star Grands Prix and achieved good results, and have won a few three-star Grands Prix as well.
You never truly know if your horse is capable of winning a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major title until you are in the moment, but Igor GPH definitely has huge potential and I think he would rise to the occasion.
My other horse, Quidamo F, is a bit older. I have had him since he was seven-years-old, so we’ve been together for about seven years now. We’ve competed in the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament twice before, placing in one and unfortunately having a fault in the other. He is definitely capable of winning a Rolex Grand Slam Major but nowadays due to his age, we are selective about which competitions we enter him for. Spruce Meadows suits him perfectly, and he has had incredible results there, so I always plan to jump him at the venue.
I believe both horses are capable of winning a Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major, the real question is whether I can do it! We hope that our younger horses will one day reach this level too. It’s an exciting time, and I feel lucky to have not only the horses I have now, but also the ones coming up for the future.
Your boyfriend, Matt Sampson, is also a top-level show jumper – what have you learned from each other?
We learn something from each other every day! Matt is a fierce competitor and incredibly talented, I could not wish for a better partner. He knows horses so well and is a gifted horseman. We bounce ideas off each other daily, which is incredibly beneficial. It’s wonderful to have someone by your side, going through all the ups and downs with you. In addition, having someone who understands everything without needing words to explain something is truly amazing.
However, it’s not always easy to have your partner compete against you. Sometimes I might have an excellent weekend while Matt doesn’t, or vice versa, which can be tough. Despite this, it is an incredible relationship to have and I’m fortunate to have Matt as a partner in this sport. It can be very emotional at times, and having someone to talk to is invaluable.
The course at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament is often considered one of the toughest in the sport. How do you prepare yourself and your horse for the challenge?
I believe preparation comes from experience in the ring. Spruce Meadows hosts a summer circuit, and those who compete there over the summer tend to do well at the ‘Masters’ Tournament because their horses are familiar with the arena and the fences. If riders can participate in these events, it serves as excellent preparation. Competing at other Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors such as the CHIO Aachen, or at other big grass venues, provides great preparation for competing at Spruce Meadows.
The course built for the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, is one of the most challenging that combinations face all year. Even though the Grand Prix isn’t until the afternoon, the course is usually set up in the morning. It’s quite interesting to watch riders walk it four or five times, analysing the best plan for themselves and their horse – it is something you don’t see often. Walking the course creates a really cool atmosphere with all the riders trying to approach it together, uncertain of what’s to come. It is super exciting, and as I said, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament is one of the best in the world.
Show jumping is one of the only sports in the world where men and women compete against each other – how special is this?
Having been in this sport for so long, it’s easy to forget that it’s unusual for men and women to compete against each other. I believe we give the men a real run for their money. We’re getting stronger each year and are being given more opportunities to progress. I’m incredibly proud to be a female athlete in show jumping and hope to inspire other female riders to do the same. In this sport, when working with horses, we are on an equal playing field which is great.
What does the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping mean to you, and how important do you think it has been for the sport?
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping means everything. Winning a Rolex Grand Slam Major is akin to winning an Olympic medal. It doesn’t happen often, and when it does, rider’s should realise what they have accomplished. I definitely hope to win not just one, but many. Fortunately, we have the time to reach this goal, with many riders in their sixties still competing at the top level, so time is on our side!
