Karen Leeming has worked from the ground up ‒ literally ‒ at Spruce Meadows, first as a groom for international riders in the 1990s and most recently as a footing expert upgrading a number of the rings and arenas on this hallowed show jumping grounds. Her FootingFirst company, which she co-owns with business partner Lawton Adams, is nearing the end of a major project at the Calgary venue, replacing the traditional sand blend with a more modern silica sand/fibre mix, including two indoor arenas, the new demonstration arena, the International warm-up ring and paths and the All Canada warm-up ring – a massive undertaking.

Spruce Meadows is making significant investments into the sport of show jumping, and into the venue, for its 50th anniversary and beyond. The footing is fundamental to that and an essential part of the first phases of these investments; the All Canada ring and other major improvements are also well underway, or will follow.

Leeming, who was born in the UK, first arrived on the continent when she backpacked to the United States at the age of 20. “I got home for my 21st birthday, worked a season at a show pony yard, saved up some money and came right back out to the US when I was 21 in the winter of 1991/92,” she said. She spent a few weeks travelling and eventually made her way up to Toronto in early 1992 and got a job as a housekeeper/nanny for the Gayfords. “It ended up being brilliant, great fun, because I got the best of everything,” she said, referring to being part of the family and gleaning valuable equestrian knowledge from Tom Gayford. She later groomed for Tom, Mark Hayes and Torchy Millar over the years.

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