With the grow tarps finally off the International Ring revealing an emerald stadium of grass, Spruce Meadows is fully underway with tournament preparation to welcome the world for the 2018 Spruce Meadows Summer Series. Athlete entry for the 2018 Summer Series Tournaments has now closed and the Spruce Meadows Organizing Committee is thrilled to announce that once again the events are fully subscribed.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the entry we have received for this year’s Summer Series,” say Spruce Meadows president and CEO, Linda Southern-Heathcott. “The athletes have choices, literally hundreds of choices, on the world show jumping calendar. The fact that they select Spruce Meadows is something organizers, fans and our community can all be proud of. We are committed to continuing to organize events of the highest quality for the athletes, fans and our corporate partners, all of whom support in an unparalleled manner.”
Spruce Meadows will welcome over 1,000 horses and 500 riders representing 20 different nations -and 6 continents- over the four weeks of the Summer Series. Stars of the sport and fan favourites such as Eric Lamaze (CAN), Kent Farrington (USA), Richard Spooner (USA), Conor Swail (IRL) and Tiffany Foster (CAN) will compete for International Ring supremacy and over $4 million in prize money. With the World Equestrian Games taking place later this year, the world’s best will be competing at the top of their game in preparation, and in hopes of possible team selection come the fall. Fans will be treated to the best in international show jumping this summer at Spruce Meadows.
The Spruce Meadows ‘National’, presented by Rolex launches the Summer Series beginning June 6 thru June 10 with something for everyone. Along with top international sport, the weekend will feature family fun, shopping and entertainment. There will be a variety of shopping, with over 40 different vendors, entertainment, family activities including pony rides and face painters, the Fire Fit Regional Competition and the Spruce Meadows Salute to First Responders.
The Summer Series continues through until July 8, 2018. First the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ (June 13 – 17) and ‘Pan American’ presented by Rolex (June 26 – July 1) take the action to the magnificent Meadows on the Green for our international athletes for two weeks.
On Sunday, July 1st, Spruce Meadows will once again have an extensive Canada Day program on including sport, family fun and entertainment such as face painting and pony rides, the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) Mounted Troop Musical Ride and to wrap up the day a performance by the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra – all of which is complimentary.
The early summer offering of sport rounds out with the Spruce Meadows ‘North American’, presented by Rolex featuring Spruce Meadows’ Salute to the military, the emotional Feu de Joie, on both Saturday and Sunday. Competitions highlights include the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Sun Life Financial Derby.
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