Friday: AltaGas Cup
The sun was shining on AltaGas Cup Friday at the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ CSI5*/2*, as 42 horse-and-rider combinations stepped through the iconic Clock Tower and onto the International Ring for the first time this season.
Designed by FEI Course Designer Tom Holden (IRL), the track featured 13 obstacles and 15 jumping efforts, all to be completed within the allotted time of 86 seconds. Riders from around the globe rose to the challenge, with eight athletes representing several nations produced fault-free first rounds to advance to the jump-off.
Gabriel de Matos Machado (BRA) & Legaland Sandro won the AltaGas Cup 1.50-1.55m. (Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk)
Brazil’s Gabriel de Matos Machado and the Irish Sport Horse gelding Legaland Sandro delivered the fastest clear performance in the jump-off, stopping the clock in 43.19 seconds to secure victory in the AltaGas Cup.
AltaGas 1.50-1.55m
1. Gabriel de Matos Machado (BRA) & Legaland Sandro
2. Sameh el Dahan (EGY) & Oscar-A
3. Arturo Parada Vallejo (MEX) & Laretto
4. Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Farrel
5. Robert Whitaker (GBR) & Equine America Vermento
Full results here.
The AltaGas Cup served as the qualifying competition for Sunday’s AKITA Drilling Grand Prix, setting the stage for a thrilling finale of the week.
Donald Whitaker (GBR) and Solenska VD Messidor took the Mark Bluman 1.40m. (Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley)
Saturday: Duncan Ross Cup
The Duncan Ross Cup 1.50m served as Saturday’s feature CSI5* competition on the All Canada Ring at the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’. Designed by FEI Course Designer Tom Holden (IRL), the challenging first-round track featured 12 obstacles and 15 jumping efforts, with athletes required to complete the course within the 75 seconds time allowed.
Of the starting field, six horse/rider combinations produced fault-free rounds and advanced to the jump-off, setting the stage for an exciting race against the clock.
Coming all the way from across the pond, Donald Whitaker (rode for the 2025 BMO Nations’ Cup winning team) of Great Britain delivered a flawless jump-off performance aboard Solensky VD Messidor, stopping the clock in 36.85 seconds to secure the victory.
Second place went to fellow Briton and cousin Robert Whitaker, while Canada’s Amy Millar completed the podium with a strong third-place finish.
Duncan Ross Cup 1.50m
1. Donald Whitaker (GBR) & Solenska VD Messidor
2. Robert Whitaker (GBR) & Equine America Gentlemen VH Heldhof
3. Amy Millar (CAN) & Jagger HX
4. Mark Bluman (COL) & Phelina de Septon
5. John Perez Bohm (COL) & Aztlan
Full results here.
Sunday: AKITA Drilling Grand Prix
The AKITA Drilling Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, provided an exciting finale to the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament on Sunday afternoon. Thirty athletes took on a challenging course designed by FEI Course Designer Tom Holden (IRL), featuring 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts. To earn a place in the jump-off, combinations needed to navigate the track fault-free and within the allotted time of 78 seconds.
The course proved demanding, with only two athletes successfully answering every question posed in the first round. Among them was New Zealand’s Katie Laurie, a familiar face at Spruce Meadows who calls Southern Alberta home, and Egypt’s Sameh El Dahan, a rider well-acquainted with Grand Prix success at the venue.
Laurie was first to return for the jump-off aboard her homebred New Zealand Warmblood, Django II, delivering a composed and clear round in a time of 46.28 seconds. El Dahan appeared poised to challenge for the win, but an unfortunate misstep during a rollback turn resulted in an unexpected separation from WKD Balou Breeze, ending his bid for victory.
With her fault-free jump-off performance, Laurie secured the win and capped off the ‘Continental’ Tournament in memorable fashion.
“If they start jumping here (Spruce Meadows) as a young horse, it makes it easier for them as they get older.” Katie Laurie on the benefits of bringing horses to Spruce Meadows throughout their careers.
AKITA Drilling Grand Prix, presented by Rolex
1. Katie Laurie (NZL) & Django II
2. Sameh El Dahan (EGY) & WKD Balou Breeze
3. Conor Swail (IRL) & Casturano
4. Lucy Davis Kennedy (USA) & Ben 431
5. Sean Jobin (CAN) & Arkuga
Full results here.
Don’t miss next week’s Spruce Meadows ‘National’, presented by Rolex (June 10–14, 2026). With world-class show jumping throughout the week and Saturday’s RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex, there is no shortage of excitement on the schedule.
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