Canada Dominates Top of NARG List

The NARG Board remains steadfast in its goal to improve the sport of show jumping. To achieve this, over the last five years NARG has become more involved in the core of the sport – jumping competitions and the rules that govern them. The NARG Top 25 initiative, now in its fourth year, continues to facilitate changes in horse shows throughout North America. Interestingly, the process has also changed perspectives across the board from the NARG Board Members to the top North American organizers at large. A positive influence on the sport, NARG believes this is only the beginning.

The 2013 NARG evaluations were focused primarily on each competition’s jumper aspects and the evaluation standards were revised accordingly. Giving credit for offering large purses as well as FEI classes, NARG implemented a new bonus points system. Shows offering FEI classes received 10 bonus points and shows offering grand prix prize money at $500,000 or above also earned 10 bonus points. These adjustments may have altered the rankings to a degree but the aspects of superb footing, stabling, course design and overall venue are still the most significant factors.

NARG once again thanks the host of volunteers who invest hundreds of hours each year to numerically evaluate the top horse shows in North America.

Canada claimed the first, second and fourth spots this year. The highest marks once again go to Spruce Meadows, a venue that exemplifies excellence. The number two ranking goes to the tremendous Thunderbird Show Park, known as ‘Spruce with a homey feeling’. Jumping way up the ranks, The Royal Winter Fair is the highest ranking indoor event on the list this year. Significant footing investments and other improvements earned this traditional fall fair a well-deserved fourth position on the list. Each of these shows scored 90% or better. True ‘A’ quality sporting events.

The top two American shows on the Top 25 list this year sit third and fifth. Finding the ideal home at Old Salem Farm, the American Gold Cup moved up nine spots to be NARG’s ‘Most Improved’ show of 2013, a score of 90%, and the third position overall. The Alltech National Horse Show, in the fifth position, continues to recreate the old Manhattan magic by producing an exclusive horse show and creating a new tradition in Lexington. The spring shows in Mexico, known as Xalapa, remain on the list and stepping up in 2014, the series is offering increased prize money and a CSIO 4* Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™.

The trend of higher scores is similar to 2012, with eleven events scoring 80% or higher this year. A tremendous step up from the first year when only four scored in that range, this is one indication of the positive results of the initiative. More shows made serious investments and the improvements were apparent. The evaluations reflected these impressive changes.

For the second year, NARG recognized the Specialty Equestrian Events. These are shows that distinctively offer high-level show jumping in the interest of good sport, to help raise money, to offer increased exposure for equestrian sport and attract an audience. Not in the business of ‘cranking out’ horse shows, the Specialty Events are a unique and much-needed change of pace in our competition schedule. Four events made the list this year, with the number one spot awarded to the New Albany Classic, a wonderful one-day affair.

NARG acknowledges the effort required to produce a world-class equestrian competition. With our renewed vision of how horse shows function and a friendly approach, many organizers have considered and embraced the NARG evaluations. These top events are working hard to offer superb competition by putting sport first. As we continue to award the Top 25 Shows each year, NARG’s vision gains clarity. Not only is the quality of competitions improving, but NARG feels that the number of top ranked international riders will invariably increase as top horse shows continue to develop into world class events.

About the North American Riders Group – NARG
The North American Riders Group, NARG, remains steadfast in achieving an essential goal—improving our sport so that once again show jumping in North America will rank among the greatest in the world. It takes teamwork to achieve a goal of this magnitude. Representing the riders, trainers and owners in North America, NARG takes the necessary steps to work openly with show organizers, governing bodies and associations, as collectively we all make up the team that must evolve with the times to see this come to fruition.

With your participation, NARG’s voice becomes incrementally stronger and clearer. To bring change we must be able to speak with a singular voice. Join us. Visit www.narg.org or call 561.386.4525 for more details.