The Spruce Meadows grounds were bustling with energy in anticipation of tomorrow’s first FEI 5* competitions on the International Ring. Over 130 horses passed the FEI Veterinary Inspection and are now ready to compete at the Spruce Meadows 50th Anniversary CSIO5* ‘Masters’ tournament.
Competitions kick off Wednesday with the TELUS Cup and Cardel Homes Cup. Thursday’s theme is a “throwback-Thursday”. Both presenting competition sponsors ATCO and CANA are 50 year partners of Spruce Meadows. In the ATCO Cup, the athletes will jump the track from the ‘original’ 1976 ‘Masters’ Grand Prix.
Friday’s WestJet Evening of the Horse kicks off the weekend events at Spruce Meadows. Guests will be treated to the Tourmaline Oil Cup, the non-team athletes’ last chance to qualify for Sunday’s Grand Prix. The sport evening is completed with the ATCO Electric Six Bar and this year the Spruce Meadows Television Team is joined by competition record holder, Jessica Kurten, as one of the commentators.
The BMO Nations’ Cup takes centre stage on Saturday of the ‘Masters’. Eleven teams will compete in hopes of having their names added to the historic trophy.
Sunday is a full day of show jumping. The morning will start with the Suncor Cup, a Table C speed where faults are converted to time, followed by the $5 million CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex—part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Live contender Martin Fuchs (SUI) will be hoping to secure a third consecutive victory in the Grand Prix.
Someone’s excited about the Masters! Team Canada’s chef d’équipe Ian Millar is ready. (Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley)
While some of the world’s best riders and horses compete throughout the week for top honours and the the largest purse for a single sporting event in Canada this year, outside the competition rings, there’s plenty of entertainment and activities for guests of all ages.
Noteworthy highlights include the exciting Blacksmith World Championships, presented by Halo. This captivating farrier competition showcases adeptness in horse forge with welding, shoeing, and forging.
Guests can also look forward to the famous RCMP Musical Ride, performed daily, complete with a performance under the lights on the International Ring during Friday’s WestJet Evening of the Horse.
Diamond Willow Vaulting with their harmonious demonstrations of “gymnastics on horseback” throughout the week and the Spruce Meadows Prairie Dogs Agility Team will perform daily in the Deloitte Ring. Fan favourite Corgi and Dachshund Races are back by popular demand all week long and the Hobby Horse Challenge will take place Saturday and Sunday.
There is a full itinerary of additional entertainment all week long at the ‘Masters’. The Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) Musical Ride; Brown Bear Woman Indigenous Education; Duck Herding Demonstrations; live music on the Scotiabank Stage and a complete suite of shopping in the Equi-Plex, Horizon’s Fine Art Pavilion, and Plazas.
Also included with daily admission (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) for the kids (or kids at heart) is the Kid’s Zone, presented by Lighthouse Custom Homes Inc. feturing the Mini Animal Petting Zoo, face painting, bouncy castles and Pony Rides.
Click HERE for a full list of 5* athletes.
More information on the ‘Masters’ here.
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