Latest from Horse & Hound in Spruce-meadows

‘Spruce Meadows Masters had so many perfect endings it was almost like it was following a script,’ says Adam Cromarty

Adam Cromarty — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:32:58 +0000

Commentator Adam Cromarty reflects on a week he will never forget at Spruce Meadows as the stars aligned for British riders

It’s not often you leave a show and wonder if the whole thing had been scripted. Surely the Spruce Meadows Masters couldn’t have had so many perfect endings by chance? The best came together in a venue like no other to celebrate its 50th anniversary and the results echoed around the world.

Friday is the Evening of the Horse. While it features a 1.60m jump-off competition, it also feels like a night of choreographed entertainment as the stadium transitions to being under lights for a fan favourite, the Atco Electric six bar.

Britain’s Joe Stockdale and Czechia rider Vaclav Stenek set a new Spruce Meadows record of 2.13m and if that wasn’t enough in the jubilee year, the last time Joe visited Calgary it was to watch his father, Tim, win this very competition. The fireworks that followed may just have been upstaged! Luckily, they had the band of the Household Cavalry to help.

Spruce Meadows has always had strong ties with Britain – from the initial advice they received from Douglas Bunn, to the names that are included on the trophy collection. Then there’s course-designer Pamela Carruthers, who made quite the impact and is still mentioned to this day.

Yet when it comes to team success, Britain had failed to lift the BMO trophy awarded to the winners of the Nations Cup for 29 years.

Saturday is known as British Day and this year the Duchess of Edinburgh was in attendance.

Eleven teams competed for the BMO Nations Cup. Twists and turns in the story brought about a final chapter in which Donald Whitaker rode through the clock tower carrying some pressure.

When commentating, I love telling a story and building a bit of drama, so the 25,000-strong crowd were more than aware that if Donald jumped clear, Britain would win and if he had a rail, we’d be going to a three-way jump-off.

You could hear a pin drop as Donald navigated the course. The applause as he crossed the finish was rapturous. For Britain to end their drought during the 50th celebrations was momentous.

Unique lines and new questions

The gravity of Sunday’s CPKC International grand prix was echoed when I walked the course. It’s a two-round competition with a jump-off. The round-one track had everything you’d expect. It also had unique lines, like a wide Liverpool on a related bending line to a narrower Liverpool.

A few riders agreed that clear rounds would be sparse. Course-designer Leopoldo Palacios thought he’d get six clears. I walked it with Linda Southern-Heathcott, Spruce Meadows’ president and CEO, and she guessed eight. We ended up with 11.

The second round brought its own challenges but it was world-class sport. After decades of building at the top, Leopoldo is still evolving and creating new questions.

No one would have complained about a double clear, but we must remember that the faults are cumulative in this format and at this level, I’d rather see two jump-off on four faults than eight jump off on a double clear.

The stars had aligned throughout the event, so it was fitting that 10 years after Scott Brash won the same competition to capture the Rolex Grand Slam title, he was back in the winner’s circle and now starts a new journey as the live Grand Slam contender.

It was a week I’ll never forget for so many reasons. I mean at what other show would Matt Sampson be handed a microphone by Michael Bublé for a quick rendition of Take Me Home, Country Roads?

● Too tough or pitched just right – what did you think about the courses set for the grand prix at Spruce Meadows this year? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

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‘A big outlay richly rewarded’: Graham Fletcher on the disparity between prize money in showjumping

Graham Fletcher — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 09:32:47 +0000

Former international showjumper Graham Fletcher, now a highly-respected trainer, as well as a breeder and producer of young horses, shares his views on the disparity between pitiful and mega-money prizes in showjumping

A successful Chepstow Summer International was really encouraging to see. With classes for all, there were two ranking competitions. The first was won by Olli Fletcher with Trevor Breen second, but Trevor came back to claim the grand prix with a masterfully crafted round on Kannoon Blue.

It’s a big outlay for a CSI2* show to put on two ranking classes. But organiser Matt Broome was rewarded with their best international show yet. They even had to turn away some entries, he told me.

The unbelievable cost of travelling horses abroad since Brexit makes it impossible to cover costs unless you have a string capable of winning ranking classes or grands prix. Aiming for young horse classes or producing horses needing experience at 1.30m and 1.35m means some very high bills to pay.

So well done to the likes of Chepstow, Chard and Bolesworth; I’m pleased they got the support they deserve. But it’s not such good news on the national show front.

Firstly, don’t believe that old chestnut that entries at county shows are declining because younger riders dislike jumping on grass. Good going is important, but top five-star shows including the likes of Aachen, Calgary, Rome, Dublin and Hickstead all take place on grass.

No, it’s because travelling and stabling expenses can’t be justified to compete for a £1,000 prize – the same as it was in 1980 and what should be £5,480 today, factoring in inflation.

As we come into autumn, Shrewsbury, Henley, Bucks County and Newbury – shows where our sport has enjoyed tremendous support from riders and crowds alike – have dropped their showjumping. More will follow and we must ask why.

Years ago, I advocated for a British Showjumping committee of three or four riders and ex-riders to work with show organisers who might see hosting showjumping as problematic.

I know it works, having been co-opted onto the Great Yorkshire committee when their jumping lost its former glory and needed a revamp. At this year’s Yorkshire – with its full stands, superb competitions on good ground, a great atmosphere enhanced by excellent course-building and commentary – I felt proud of what we’d achieved.

The only comparable show is the Royal Highland, which Douglas Duffin tells me is likewise fantastic for riders. When I was riding and lived in Yorkshire, we had to travel south for the most lucrative prize money. It’s amazing that our two best national shows are now in the north of England and Scotland.

It would only take another two or three shows like the Yorkshire and Highland to transform the dynamics of the British season. Not only would it showcase the best of our sport to the public, but our up-and-coming riders would have the chance to make a living again.

“The realms of fantasy”

The Brits had a fantastic Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary, winning the Nations Cup for the first time in 29 years ago with Scott Brash at his brilliant best to take the grand prix.

The C$5m (£2.7m) prize fund for the grand prix, watched by a packed crowd of 25,000, made it the richest one-day sporting event in Canadian history. To put it into perspective, the Derby at Epsom is worth £1.5m and the Cheltenham Gold Cup £625,000.

The British press has always been impressed by big purses so I was disappointed to find this remarkable achievement had no television or newspaper coverage.

More should be done or money spent to get the right person to address this in an era when sports need to push themselves to the media.

I rode on two winning Nations Cup teams in Calgary’s earlier days and spent time with its visionary creators Ron and Marg Southern. When they founded Spruce Meadows 50 years ago, you could tell by their enthusiasm and plans that this was always going to be a great show.

But even so, if you’d predicted a prize fund of C$5m for one competition, I’d have said you’re in the realms of fantasy.

● Does prize money – or a lack of it – influence where you compete? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

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‘Sometimes we don’t like to be challenged’: debate surrounds courses set for world’s richest showjumping class

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:30:41 +0000

At Spruce Meadows, Canada, last week the superstars of the showjumping world gathered to contest the sport’s richest ever competition, the $5m (£2.7m) CPKC International presented by Rolex, won this year by Scott Brash riding Hello Jefferson.

Considered one of the premier grands prix on the global circuit, it’s no surprise that it’s one of the toughest to win, with Olympic course-builder Leopoldo Palacios always challenging horses and riders to the max across this three-round contest.

Plenty of healthy discussion often surrounds the size of the obstacles – which can exceed 1.60m in height and range from water ditches to open water and walls – while the technicality of the lines, the natural undulations and time allowed are also brought into play.

But debate intensified following this year’s grand prix when no horse and rider combination managed to jump a double clear.

Faults accumulated in round two of the grand prix

Scott Brash revealed that when he’d walked the course on the morning of the competition, he’d thought it was extremely tough. But from a starting line up of 36 athletes, 11 remained faultless in round one, while a further three jumped clear but with a time-fault apiece. Four failed to complete.

Nothing startling there.

However, in round two, not one of the 12 high-calibre competitors could jump clear over a slightly shortened course of 12 numbered fences – one less than the 13 numbered obstacles in round one.

The last line of Spruce Meadows’ famous double of ditches (10a and b) to the flimsy bicycle vertical on a short four strides, followed by a dog-leg to the final oxer at fence 12 caused the most problems and total faults accumulated in round two ranged from four to 14, with with last year’s winner Martin Fuchs and his experienced partner Leone Jei eliminated after falling at the first fence. Both walked away unscathed.

The two combinations who progressed to the jump-off – victor Scott Brash with Jefferson, who went on to jump clear in round three, and US contender Kyle King riding Kayenne Z – hit one rail apiece in round two. Scott assessed that Hello Jefferson had “misjudged the b element a bit” at the double of oxers-over-ditches where he toppled a pole.

So when does too many faults become a problem? How does it reflect on the sport if horses and riders don’t clear the fences? Or does it add to the spectacle and prestige to make achieving a double clear so elusive?

Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson clear Spruce Meadows’ distinctive water jump. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Spruce Meadows showjumping courses: “We like our comfort zone – that’s not what we have here”

Of course, these kind of discussions are nothing new and in no way limited to Spruce Meadows – Laura Kraut won the recent grand prix at Dublin as the sole rider to jump clear in round one of the competition. Similarly, a small handful of riders at most jump clear each year in the Hickstead Derby.

Steve Guerdat, who finished third in this year’s CPKC International at Spruce Meadows having added a time-fault to his four faults in round two, revealed in the post-competition press conference that he’d been critical of Leopoldo Palacios in the past.

“Around 14 years ago, I complained in the press conference about Leopoldo and that what he was doing was too tough – the show had to change something,” said Steve, the 2012 Olympic champion and past winner of the CPKC International grand prix.

“Thank God Leopoldo didn’t listen to me, because the truth is that as athletes or people, sometimes we don’t like to be challenged. We like our comfort zone. This is not what we have here at Spruce Meadows. So I would say that, thanks to the team at Spruce Meadows, I became a better rider.”

When asked beforehand about the course he designed for Sunday’s CPKC International, Venezuelan course builder Leopoldo Palacios, who has been building at the Spruce Meadows Masters since 1996, said: “I believe and hope the course will be very tough, which is very normal here.

Beezie Madden (USA) and Darry Lou clearing one of the distinctive fences in the CP International at the Spruce Meadows Masters 2019. (Mike Sturk – Spruce Meadows Media Services). (Image credit: MIKE STURK)

“There won’t be too many differences from my usual designs, however I will use some features that I haven’t used before,” he continued. “I will be including two big water jumps – one of them a big Liverpool with two poles as a vertical, which will be followed by a left turn to the other Liverpool. This will be the first time that I’ve used this feature and I believe this is the perfect time to use it. I try to include different features in my designs every year – this helps to keep things interesting.

“As we no longer have the bank, I will use a line [of fences] under the trees, which I think will be very nice.”

Leopoldo Palacios: “Tougher and more demanding than at the Olympics – but welfare is at the forefront of all we do”

“I’ve tried to make a grand prix for the occasion,” Leopoldo summed up. “But I believe the courses here are tougher and more demanding than at the Olympics.”

He also added that: “No other grand prix in the world is like this – the results do the talking.

“Spruce Meadows is one of the most challenging places to come, but it’s also the ethos of Spruce Meadows to always put the welfare of the horse at the forefront of everything that we do.”

The CPKC International grand prix at Spruce Meadows remains one of the pinnacles in showjumping achievements. While not every horse will be suited to the world famous Calgary venue’s unique obstacles, undulations and intense atmosphere, Scott Brash, like countless other highly accomplished and skilful winners before him, has proved that doing your homework is one of the keys to mastering Leopoldo’s mighty challenges.

But are times changing? The debate continues.

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Scott Brash wins world’s richest ever $5m showjumping competition: ‘An amazing day – Jefferson deserved this’

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 06:54:43 +0000

Sealing what has been an astonishingly successful week for British showjumpers in Spruce Meadows, Canada, Scott Brash hit the jackpot, winning the sport’s richest ever $5m (£2.7m) competition with his brilliant partner Hello Jefferson on Sunday (7 September).

“This is an amazing day. Jefferson deserved a big win, so to do it here at the biggest grand prix in the world… I’m just delighted for him, for my owners and my team because they work really hard to support me,” said Scott.

Scott Brash versus Kyle King: the ultimate jump-off

The CPKC International presented by Rolex came down to a two-way jump-off between double Olympic gold medallist Scott and USA rider Kyle King (Kayenne Z).

As first to go in the highly tactical third and final round, ice-cool Scott and 16-year-old Jefferson, owned by Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham and looked after by groom David Honnet, looked better than ever. Clearing every towering obstacle set by course-designer Leopoldo Palacios and pivoting neatly round every turn, they set a superb target, finishing clear in 46.97sec.

Kyle set off with great gusto on the big-striding mare, who he’s only ridden for seven months, and the pair were up on the clock at the half-way point. However an ambitious turn over the wavy Canada planks proved their undoing and they toppled, meaning Scott and Jefferson were crowned champions on a truly remarkable day for the sport of showjumping.

“Yes, we won the Olympic gold medal in Paris last year, but up until now we’d never won that big, historic grand prix that we thought Jefferson was capable of, so to finally get one under his belt is a great, great feeling,” said Scott, who was presented with a cheque totalling $1.65m (£884,000) which was awarded as a one-off prize as part of Spruce Meadoes’ 50th anniversary celebrations.

Scott, who turns 40 this year, was lifting the CPKC International trophy at Spruce Meadows for the third time; Jefferson had his name etched on the silverware alongside stable mates Ursula and Hello Sanctos. It also marked the 10-year anniversary of Scott’s success in the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping and the Scotsman now heads to CHI Geneva, Switzerland, in December as the live contender to continue his Rolex Grand Slam journey once again.

World’s richest showjumping class: no double clears

There were no double clears in this world-famous competition; Kyle and Scott both jumping off after picking up four faults apiece in round two. Scott’s penalties came at the renowned double of ditches under the clock tower.

“Jefferson was absolutely fantastic today. I felt he was a bit unlucky to have the ditches down in the second round, he’d been jumping really well and just misjudged the B element a bit,” he said. “But other than that he was amazing. The jump-off is always tricky – how fast do you go? You want to stay clear, but thankfully it was enough, he jumped phenomenal all day.”

Paying tribute to groom of 10 years, David Honnet, Scott added: “He knows Jefferson inside out and he’s worked with him for so many years. Jefferson has a lot of trust in him, and that’s really important. David was emotional today!”

Read the full report from the CPKC International and the rest of Great Britain’s achievements in Canada this week in Thursday’s issue of Horse & Hound, in the shops Thursday, 11 September.

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Great Britain wins Spruce Meadows Nations Cup for first time in 30 years: ‘The spirit of this team is second to none’

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 06:49:12 +0000

For the first time in nearly 30 years, Great Britain’s showjumpers have triumphed in the BMO Nations Cup at the Spruce Meadows Masters, Canada.

The British quartet of Matt Sampson (Ebolensky), Ben Maher (Enjeu De Grisien), Joe Stockdale riding Ebanking and Donald Whitaker with Millfield Colette were the stand-out performers throughout the two-round competition, jumping three double clears between them.

They thrilled the crowds at this, the venue’s 50th anniversary, topping the leader board on a zero score. Great Britain’s victorious team were joined on the podium by runners-up Germany and third-placed USA, who both finished on a team score of four but were separated by cumulative time.

The winning Great Britain Nations Cup showjumping team with chef d’equipe Di Lampard. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Great Britain’s Nations Cup showjumping victory after a 30-year hiatus

Great Britain last won the BMO Nations Cup in 1996 when the “Fab Four” of Nick Skelton (Showtime), Geoff Billington (It’s Otto), Michael Whitaker (Two Step) and John Whitaker (Welham) lifted the coveted trophy at the Calgary venue. Since its inauguration in 1977, Great Britain has now triumphed 11 times in the world famous BMO Nations Cup.

This time around, chef d’equipe Di Lampard led the next generation to victory with triple Olympic gold medallist Ben, last night’s record-breaking six bar winner Joe and European silver medal-winning rider Donald all jumping double clears. The contest was taken right to the wire, however, and victory was only sealed as the final rider of the competition, Donald Whitaker with Millfield Colette, brushed off immense pressure to produce yet another foot perfect performance and claim the €150,008 (£130,000) first prize, as well as the towering BMO silverware.

“The spirit of this team is second to none, it’s come together so well this year,” said Di Lampard. “Three members of this team [Donald, Ben and Matt] are the European silver medalists and we’ve been building, building… But to have the win here at Spruce Meadows – I’m so proud of them all.”

The brilliant Millfield Colette earns kisses from Donald Whitaker after jumping double clear for Great Britain in the BMO Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows, Canada. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

There was further British success on the penultimate day of the Spruce Meadows Masters, when Charlie Jones and Capitale 6 won the CSI2* grand prix. The action concludes with Sunday’s CPKC International grand prix presented by Rolex where showjumpers will be competing for the richest prize the sport has ever seen.

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Joe Stockdale smashes high jump record following in his late father’s footsteps: ‘One I won’t forget’

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 08:53:32 +0000

In a poignant evening at the Spruce Meadows Masters, Canada, British showjumper Joe Stockdale followed in the footsteps of his late father Tim Stockdale when winning the ATCO Electric Six Bar competition.

Under the lights on Friday night (5 September), the 25-year-old rider and 11-year-old gelding It’s Confidential soared over a towering final fence set at 2.13m (more than 6ft 11in) to share the spoils with Czech rider Vaclav Stanek riding Quintin.

This was Joe’s first time competing at the Calgary venue; the last time he visited Spruce Meadows was to watch his dad Tim and Fresh Direct K2 clearing 2.03m to win the same world famous high-jump class in 2011.

Joe and Vaclav also made history as they smashed Spruce Meadows’ six-bar record of 2.12m, which was set by Jessica Kurten of Ireland riding Castle Forbes Libertina in 2004.

“Breaking the six bar record at Spruce Meadows and winning the same class as my dad here in Calgary is one I won’t forget,” said Joe Stockdale. “It’s Confidential cleared 2.13m to break the 21-year-old record – a very special night here in Canada.”

Vaclav Stanek and Quintin also clear 2.13m to share the spoils with Joe Stockdale in the ATCO Electric Six Bar at Spruce Meadows, Canada. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Joe Stockdale versus Vaclav Stanek in final round

A field of 12 lined up for this year’s ATCO Electric Six Bar, with each fence raised in height after each round. Seven combinations made it through to the fourth round where Joe, Vaclav and Daniel Deusser (Pepita Van’t Meulenof BR) again jumped clear.

When the German rider elected to withdraw before jumping the final set of four fences, it came down to a duel between Great Britain’s Joe and 30-year-old Vaclav riding 15-year-old Quintin.

Celebrations erupted after both combinations displayed immense skill and bravery to clear the towering line of fences once more, much to the delight of the packed grandstands on this, Spruce Meadows’ 50th anniversary.

Joe punched the air in delight after touching down on It’s Confidential (Conthargos x VDL Cardento 933), who is owned by Ben Carus. This was only their second six bar competition together, having finished third in Falsterbo recently.

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Showjumping stars gather to compete for sport’s richest ever $5m prize: ‘There’s an enormous buzz’

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:48:41 +0000

On Sunday (7 September), the world’s leading showjumping athletes will compete for the sport’s biggest ever prize, the $5m CPKC International, presented by Rolex.

Held as part of the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows Masters tournament in Calgary, Canada, Sunday’s grand prix has had its already substantial prize fund boosted by $2m this year, taking it to a record level to celebrate the venue’s 50th anniversary.

World’s biggest showjumping prize: 98 horses arrive from Europe alone

A record 98 horses landed at Calgary airport from Europe this week ahead of the start of the showjumping action today (3 September). Sunday’s grand prix is also part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, for which Swiss rider Martin Fuchs and his extraordinary horse Leone Jei are the live contenders, as well as the defending champions in the CPKC International. They won it in 2023 and again in 2024.

“This impressive passenger list of horses is testament to the level of excitement there is globally, and within the equine sport world, for the 50th anniversary Spruce Meadows Masters,” said Ian Allison, senior vice president of sport and media services at Spruce Meadows. “The prize money is significant, and record-breaking, creating enormous buzz.”

“Adding to that, the BMO Nations Cup is the sport’s most coveted annual team competition,” he said. “These are just a few of the many ways Spruce Meadows is pulling out all the stops – from the sport to the stunning grounds, incredible entertainment and military offerings.”

“This is going to raise the level of the whole industry”: Tim Gredley

The one-time $5m (£2.7m) prize pot far exceeds anything else offered in the showjumping world and is the largest prize offered by any single-day sporting event in Canada.

British rider Tim Gredley hailed the bumper prize pot a monumental move for the sport.

“It is only going to raise the level of the whole industry,” he told H&H.

Riders representing Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Brazil, Belgium, Netherlands, the USA and Canada will be among those competing in front of the Duchess of Edinburgh, who is the royal patron of Spruce Meadows.

British hopes rest with Scott Brash, competing on the 10th anniversary of his Rolex Grand Slam success with Hello Sanctos in 2015, Sameh El Dahan, Ben Maher, Matt Sampson, Joe Stockdale and Donald Whitaker. Other leading names in action this week include Steve Guerdat, Laura Kraut, Daniel Coyle, Harrie Smolders and the newly crowned European champion Richard Vogel.

Eyes on the prize: Matt Sampson relishes the pressure of a grand prix. (Image credit: Alamy)

“We have introduced a number of exciting new elements at Spruce Meadows this year to celebrate our 50th anniversary,” said Spruce Meadows president and CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott.

“It was important to me, as a former rider and a lifelong advocate for showjumping, to make sure we were doing something extra special for the sport that has always been the lifeblood of Spruce Meadows.

“We have an incredible roster of corporate partners that have enabled us to award more than $200m in prize money since our inception in 1975,” she continued. “That support has extended to this special year, making it possible for us to offer an award that brings us into the realm of many of the biggest sporting prize pots on the globe, with more than $11m [CAD] being awarded across the 2025 tournament season.”

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Adam Cromarty: ‘This year’s Spruce Meadows Masters will set a new bar for our sport’

Adam Cromarty — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 13:31:30 +0000

Adam Cromarty celebrates Spruce Meadows willingness to innovate and improve, bringing equestrian sport to a wider audience than ever before

Can you think of a rider, horse or success that changed the history of the sport? For me, it was when Scott Brash won the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping at Spruce Meadows in 2015.

We often talk about the importance of consistency in our sport and the Grand Slam title is the embodiment of this. For Scott to win three majors in a row seemed almost impossible. It happened during my second year of commentating at the Calgary venue.

Scott and I are both from Scotland and I had watched him climb our national ranks. Now we were 4,000 miles away from home and at a venue that most see only on television.

In front of a capacity crowd, Scott was last to go in round two and as he entered the ring, I announced, “All he has to do is leave the fences up and come home within the time allowed. If he does that, he’ll make history, he’ll win the CP International and claim a €1m [around £867,000] Rolex Grand Slam bonus. No pressure.”

Everyone sat in silent awe until I excitedly announced, “He’s done it!”

This year, Spruce Meadows is celebrating its 50th anniversary. My first visit was in 2013 and it’s no exaggeration to say that there is nothing like it anywhere in the world. Each time you walk through the gates and down the flag-adorned driveway, you can feel the history and the dreams that have been realised.

Although tradition is evident throughout the venue, there is a continual evolution that is often lacking within our sport. I’m sure there were a few raised eyebrows when it was announced that one of the main jumping rings was to be repurposed and become a football (soccer) stadium.

It was a genius move; home team Cavalry FC is a part of the Canadian Premier League and new faces are continually included within the sell-out crowds. Opening in September will be Foxtrot, a year-round restaurant, museum and café that overlooks the International Ring.

A touch of Marvel

This year, during each week of the Summer Series, the entertainment offering was substantial. It no doubt made watching our sport attractive to a new audience.

There were outdoor movie nights as well as a new stage with local and national music artists. The demonstration ring featured everything from corgi racing to the Lord Strathcona Mounted Regiment musical ride.

There were also several sold-out concert nights with acclaimed names such as Grammy award-winning singer Leon Bridges, who also walked the course for the Atco Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

I don’t think any other venue has teamed up with a brand such as Marvel, but with a free comic featuring familiar characters on a Spruce Meadows adventure and collectable posters, younger fans were offered a new way to engage.

I love doing live course walks with Spruce Meadows president and CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott, who represented Canada at the 1996 Olympics. It’s a great opportunity to give fans some pre-competition insight. This summer, we were well protected with some “marvellous” heroes tagging along!

Spruce Meadows president Linda Southern-Heathcott and commentator Adam Cromarty are joined by Marvel heroes. (Image credit: Mette Holm)

“A global jewel”

There’s a reason that so many corporate partners have been supporting the venue for decades, some since its inception. It’s a global jewel in the crown of our sport but also a place that the local community can enjoy year-round. From being a place to take a stroll, to the world-class Christmas market or attending PetFest, there’s always something to enjoy.

The Masters Tournament in September is being talked about worldwide.

In keeping with the 50th celebrations, the CPKC International grand prix will have a prize fund of $5m, in addition to the potential Rolex Grand Slam bonuses. The Nations Cup will feature 10 teams from around the world. We’ll enjoy the usual festivities such as a six-bar under lights, followed by a firework display to a live orchestra.

Any year at the Masters is frankly amazing, but I have a feeling this year will set the bar of how our sport should be presented.

● Which other venues at home and abroad continue to raise the bar? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

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‘I didn’t believe this would be possible’: $3m grand prix won in dramatic fashion

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 13:39:48 +0000

The 2024 running of the world’s toughest grand prix, the $3m (£1.7m) CPKC International presented by Rolex, was won in dramatic fashion by the superb duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei at Spruce Meadows, Canada, on Sunday (8 September).

“It’s a great feeling to be able to secure a second win here,” said Martin, 32, who continues to forge an incredible legacy, becoming only the third competitor after Rodrigo Pessoa (2000 and 2001 on Gandini Lianos) and Scott Brash (2015 and 2016 with Hello Sanctos and Ursula XII) to land back-to-back grands prix in Calgary.

“I honestly didn’t believe after my rail down in the jump-off that it would be possible. Luck was on my side today.”

The Swiss rider was drawn first for a thrilling three-horse showdown, which neatly featured a mare, a gelding and a stallion. Martin thought he’d thrown away his chances in this third and final round when toppling the seemingly straightforward brown oxer at fence four under the shadow of the trees.

“I was upset with myself for not giving Leone Jei the best chance in the jump-off because I over-rode the oxer – I pushed him into the pole because I was thinking already about the leave-out to the vertical after it, instead of allowing him to jump the oxer and use his big stride to get there on five strides. I was mad at myself and it was a huge disappointment because I had two of the best riders in the world coming after me,” he said.

Unexpected faults for class debutant Darragh Kenny

The baton was passed to Ireland’s Darragh Kenny with Heathman Farm’s VDL Cartello but they succumbed to the same fence. The 17-year-old stallion has all the scope but is not the quickest and a surprising two time-faults also appeared as he crossed the line.

Very rarely does the time allowed play a factor in a jump-off but it emerged that renowned course-builder Leopoldo Palacios had cunningly squeezed the maximum time and it proved to be an innovative stroke of genius as the class unfolded.

“This is a very important grand prix, so it needs to be the biggest and most complicated every year,” he said. “I needed to force the last rider not to go slow and have it too easy – that was my thought, and I don’t know if it’s correct, but I thought, ‘This is what’s best for the sport’.”

CPKC International debutant Darragh reflected, “I thought if I can be smart, go quick enough but not take too much risk, that it could work out. I really didn’t expect him to have the third fence down as he was jumping so well.

“I then tried to go as fast as I could, but I was just too slow!”

Another past winner stakes his claim

A hush then descended on the packed stadium for the brilliant combination of Daniel Deusser and Killer Queen VDM, who lifted the title in 2022.

“I knew I had to go clear, but there was no option to go slow because of the short time allowed, so I was under huge pressure,” said the German rider, who remained clear until he felt the 14-year-old mare anticipating the turn left into the famous double of Liverpools, “so I had one stride less than I should have done” and their first pole fell.

With just Martin’s 40.22sec time now to beat, Daniel accelerated home, gambling with a flyer to the final wall – the same fence that Leopoldo used to conclude his tracks at the 2008 Olympics – but it was a risk too far and the pair crashed through it. Agonisingly, the clock stopped in what would have been a winning time of 39.58sec.

“There is a big question mark – what could you have done differently in that moment – but I tried to go fast to the finish line and she just got a bit lost,” Daniel said. “But I’m very proud that my mare jumped three fantastic rounds.”

The fab three pose for a selfie: podium finishers Daniel Deusser, Martin Fuchs and Darragh Kenny have plenty to smile about. (Image credit: Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszk)

Martin Fuchs: “You need to be 100% focused, confident and have a lot of courage to jump these huge fences”

Martin Fuchs, whose Olympic dream unravelled in Paris last month when he lost a stirrup in the individual final, has been on a remarkable comeback trail since, with wins in the Rolex grand prix at Dublin and the Nations Cup of Brussels with Conner Jei. Reunited with the “incredible” 12-year-old son of Baltic VDL, Martin paid tribute to Leone Jei, who has been placed in 12 of the 13 majors he’s contested, including winning the Rolex grand prix at Royal Windsor this year.

“These tracks are so challenging, you really need to be 100% focused, confident and have a lot of courage to jump these huge fences,” he said. “That’s why I love coming here to Spruce Meadows. It’s the hardest place to win and I’m very grateful to have such a wonderful partner who wants to win them as much as I do.”

What a trophy! Martin Fuchs lifts the silverware for winning the CPKC International presented by Rolex at the Spruce Meadows Masters. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Tim Gredley and Medoc De Toxandria produced one of the greatest performances of their lives to finish best of the British contenders. They jumped a tremendous double clear, just succumbing to a time-fault in round one, to finish fifth behind another past winner, Steve Guerdat with Venard De Cerisy, who mirrored Tim’s rounds but in a slightly quicker time for fourth.

News that the competition’s $3m prize-money is set to rocket to a record-breaking $5mfor next year’s 50th anniversary celebrations at Spruce Meadows will send shivers of excitement round these elite riders who will already be planning their strategy to win what will be the sport’s richest ever prize.

But Martin’s first consideration will be his journey on the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, for which he is the new live contender as the circuit moves to his home show of Geneva in December.

Read the full report from the Spruce Meadows Masters tournament in Horse & Hound magazine, in shops Thursday, 12 September.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘The most incredible horse’: Matt Sampson makes emotional tribute after big win

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 16:36:40 +0000

Spruce Meadows in Canada is like a second home to British showjumper Matt Sampson, and he headlines this week’s international showjumping news round-up after landing the venue’s CSI5* grand prix with great partner Daniel.

We also celebrate a landmark first LGCT win for Olivier Philippaerts in Sweden. Read on for this week’s highlights of international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: “If I were a horse, I would wish I was Daniel”

British showjumper Matt Sampson is enjoying another stellar season at Spruce Meadows, Canada, winning two CSI5* classes with 11-year-old mare One Whisper, but this week it was the turn of 16-year-old Dutch warmblood stallion Daniel, with whom he triumphed in Sunday’s 1.60m Pan American Cup presented by Rolex. Afterwards, Matt made an emotional tribute to “one of the most incredible horses” he has ever worked with, having teamed up together last year.

“I feel like it meant so much for Daniel to win,” said 34-year-old Matt, who immediately took congratulatory phone calls from his mother Ruth and girlfriend Kara Chad. “He deserves it. If I were a horse, I would wish I was him. He’s one of the most incredible horses I’ve ever had. I feel like, when we don’t win, it’s always my fault, so to win today feels amazing. It’s a dream come true.”

Spruce Meadows results

A dream comes true in Stockholm

After four seconds and two thirds during his career, Belgium showjumper Olivier Philippaerts finally landed his first Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) grand prix in Stockholm, Sweden, with H&M Miro. This victory also came with a ticket to the Super Grand Prix in Riyadh in November. It was also a milestone first podium for runner-up Wilma Hellström for the home side riding the one-eyed Cicci Bjn.

“This is something I’ve dreamed of,” said Olivier, following in the footsteps of his father Ludo and brother Nicola in achieving LGCT success. “I’ve been trying many, many times and finished second a few times but I have been thinking that hopefully one day I can pull it off. To do it in Stockholm, in front of all this crowd, in front of all the people from H&M that support us all the time, is something I’ve dreamed of.

“The most important thing for all of us is to work together – the people that work at home and at the show really work together to achieve these things, so today we are going to really enjoy it.”

Claiming third was Jérôme Guery riding the phenomenal 18-year-old stallion Quel Homme De Hus, back from injury and in the form of his life.

LGCT Stockholm results

Aaron Vale (USA) borrows his wife’s horse Gray’s Inn to win the grand prix. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

International showjumping news: a borrowed horse and a “naughty child”

At the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, the CSI4* Florida Coast Equipment grand prix went to USA rider Aaron Vale, who borrowed Gray’s Inn from his wife Mallory and won.

“I know the horse and see him every day, but she does 95% of the riding,” said Aaron, whose wife has been riding Gray’s Inn since the 10-year-old warmblood gelding was six. “It was her idea, she’s been asking me for a long time, ‘Do you want my horse?’ and I always said no.

“She’s been doing so well with him and knocking on the door. But this week, I didn’t have a horse, so she told me I was showing her horse – and the rest is history.”

Amanda Derbyshire continued her winning ways at the venue with success in the CSI2* grand prix qualifier on Cornwall BH.

“There were a couple of options to leave out, which I was a little unsure of, especially after watching the first rider,” said the US-based British rider, who also picked up placings with Renkum Oriana and new ride Vogue. “Cornwall BH is like my naughty child! It took me five years to win a class on him. He’s 16 now and I’ve had him since he was eight, but he’s been an incredible partner and always tries to leave the jumps up. Now that he’s older, we pick and choose our classes. In the past couple of weeks, he’s placed second, first and now another win. I couldn’t be prouder of him and our team – it takes a big village, and I couldn’t do it without them.”

WEC results

Scott Brash: eight years on since he made showjumping history – and which horse he nearly picked over Hello Sanctos

Becky Murray — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 07:33:54 +0000

“There was certainly something different about the atmosphere,” says Scott Brash, looking back on the day he made history eight years ago when he became the first winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping.

Scott won CHI Geneva in December 2014, CHIO Aachen in May 2015, and all that was left was to secure the win at the Spruce Meadows Masters. And he did just that with Hello Sanctos on 14 September 2015, taking home €1.3 million (then £950,000).

Last month Rolex celebrated the Grand Slam of Showjumping’s 10-year anniversary by hosting a round table event with Rolex testimonee Scott Brash at the Spruce Meadows Masters, where he discussed the highs of winning, what the Grand Slam has done for the sport, why Hello Sanctos was not necessarily his first pick for that historic day, and what the future holds.

Remembering that Sunday morning at Spruce Meadows in 2015, Scott says he arrived at the showground early to check out the course with no one else around, before riding Hello Sanctos in preparation for the grand prix that afternoon.

“I remember working him in and just knowing that he felt really good. I think he was probably the fittest I’ve ever had him in his life,” explains Scott.

“One of the great aspects of my riding style is that the more important the competition is, the more focused I become. I was certainly very focused on that day and totally focused on what was right for Hello Sanctos. I kept his same routine, because at the end of the day, he didn’t know that he was jumping for the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, to him it was just another day and another course, so we just focused on beating the course.”

And what does the atmosphere feel like when someone is on the cusp of winning the sport’s richest prize?

“There was certainly something different about the atmosphere; I remember all the riders standing at gate while I was entering. Although I was very focused, you could see it and sense it,” says Scott.

“When I rode in, you could hear a pin drop. I don’t think there was much difference in the way my fellow competitors acted, but perhaps it was just a matter of respect such as providing me with more space in the warm-up – no one wanted to be in the way, which was appreciated.”

Scott and Hello Sanctos were the only combination to jump clear in the final round that day and Scott remembers feeling “all sorts of emotions”.

“One certainly was relief,” he explains. “However in a weird sense, one was sadness. My team and I had worked towards the goal of achieving the Rolex Grand Slam for such an extensive period, for it to suddenly be completed, it was emotional.

“We have some incredible photographs of that day, as you can imagine, and Hello Sanctos looked a million dollars. It was an amazing day in my career. I remember it so clearly; as an example of just how fit he was, even when we were walking out of the ring, I noticed he had not even broken a sweat, he was in that great a shape.”

But enjoying such highs can also be followed by lows – and added pressure explains Scott.

“After winning team gold at the London 2012 Olympics, and after completing the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, I remember feeling a little low period, questioning what was next – but I think that’s very normal,” he says.

“I actually talked to Bruce Springsteen once about a musician’s career and why things can go wrong sometimes. He said that while performing, one experiences such an adrenaline rush and intense atmosphere, it can be a shock when walking off stage to nothing; there is naturally an experience of a low. I certainly felt this after winning those major events; there was absolute joy and fantastic celebrations afterwards and a couple weeks later, I naturally experienced a low.”

The talent of London 2012 team gold medal-winning Hello Sanctos was unquestionable, but Scott reveals the Quasimodo Van De Molendreef would not have been the first pick for Spruce Meadows that year.

“Hello Sanctos did not like jumping in the arena at CHIO Aachen – not everyone knows that,” explains Scott. “It was the one ring that he felt uncomfortable in. I attended Aachen with him, and while it wasn’t too bad I came out thinking ‘Why did it not go so well?’. I had two down in the grand prix, but it felt like I was riding for my life. I then met Katharina Offel, who rode him when he was younger, and she said, ‘He does not like Aachen does he?’. He had jumped there previously with Katharina and was eliminated. So that joined up the dots for me.

“When I won at CHI Geneva, I had two top horses, Hello Sanctos and Ursula XII. Ursula is made for the likes of Spruce Meadows and Aachen, and if she had been fit, I would have taken her to Spruce Meadows. So, it left me in the position of taking Hello Sanctos or not attending.”

When it comes to personalities, Scott says it was how clever Hello Sanctos was that “set him apart”, and Scott places huge importance on getting to know horses as individuals.

“Hello Jefferson [Scott’s current top horse] has all the attributes that one needs to win a grand prix. He is extremely talented; he is really sharp and strong minded which is great, but he has a busy brain, so he has to come out of the stable a lot more than in comparison to other horses,” he says.

“I have to put a lot of work into him compared with what I did with Hello Sanctos for example. However, Hello Jefferson is more experienced now, I believe as he grows older, he is developing into a better horse. Hello Sanctos, if I’m honest when I first tried him, I didn’t think he had the scope to ever manage Spruce Meadows – that just shows how amazing horses are. When a horse is confident and really trusts a rider, they can succeed and jump fences far bigger than one might think. We had a fantastic partnership and Sanctos really grew into his scope.”

And when it comes to stars of the future, Scott has his eye on a few.

“We are breeding from Ursula XII and a couple of our best mares at the moment, and we have been bringing some mares down to my yard in England from my family in Scotland, to break them in,” he says.

“I have a couple of two-year-old’s currently – and I’ve come away thinking ‘This one could jump Spruce Meadows one day’. This is certainly what I look for when I am trying horses. It could be viewed as a downside as you know the level of horse you need in order to win the big majors, so you can end up being slightly too selective. But Hello Sanctos is the perfect example – it can take time to make a horse, and we had to improve the scope in him from being confident to being experienced.”

Scott to this day remains the sole winner of the Grand Slam title – so can it be won again?

“It can definitely be won again – anything is possible, but everything has to go right on the day. In our sport we are working with a living animal, and sometimes things can go wrong that can be out of our control,” he explains.

“The year after winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, Ursula XII was very close. She was second in CHIO Aachen, we won at Spruce Meadows, and came third in CHI Geneva. I remember thinking that we should have won Geneva – it is one of the rounds that still haunts me for losing by such a small margin. I was last to go with four tenths of a second too slow – I have never been so disappointed coming home from a show.”

Scott says the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping has been “amazing” for the sport.

“It has been a great opportunity for all the riders, and I think it has really improved our sport. The creation of the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping has given us all major goals to aim for during the year. It brings out the best horse and rider combinations, those that are at the top of their game want to be at these majors. We are all very thankful for it,” he says.

“The sport has significant expenses, something a lot of people may not realise, and it can be especially difficult to travel horses around the world. I believe that it is great to be rewarded in that sense for sure. The larger the purse, the higher the interest in the competition from riders and the audience. It attracts the best in the sport. But what I will say, when I was competing for the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, even if there wasn’t a big prize money, I was still desperate to try and make history and to achieve the title.”

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Rolex/Kit Houghton)

Cowboy saloons, Hawaii holidays, and historic wins: John Whitaker’s fondest memories of an outstanding show

(Image credit: Rolex/Kit Houghton)

‘I wanted to change the bit, Dad said just ride better!’ Special horse delivers dream win in $3m grand prix

(Image credit: Rolex/Kit Houghton)

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Cowboy saloons, Hawaii holidays, and historic wins: John Whitaker’s fondest memories of an outstanding show

Becky Murray — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 07:35:05 +0000

Visiting cowboy saloons, trading a trophy for a trip to Hawaii, and becoming a three-time Spruce Meadows grand prix winner – the top Canadian venue holds many fond memories for British showjumping legend John Whitaker.

H&H caught up with John, who turned 68 last month, on site in Calgary during his long-awaited return to the prestigious Masters tournament (6-10 September) for a trip down memory lane.

John first started competing at Spruce Meadows in 1980, and enjoyed success with his Olympic team silver medal-winning Ryan’s Son. But it was John’s 1986 Spruce Meadows’ appearance that remains a significant moment in showjumping history, when he won the grand prix for the first time, with the grey superstar Milton.

“It was brilliant to win. I’d been in previous years with Ryan’s Son and we’d done quite well, so to then come and win it was a special one. It always makes the flight home very nice,” says John.

John went on to win the grand prix twice more; in 1992 on Henderson Gammon and in 1994 with Everest Grannusch. To date only former Olympic champion Nick Skelton has bettered this record, winning four times; in 1985 with Everest St James, 1993 with Everest Dollar Girl, 1998 on Virtual Village Hopes Are High, and 2008 with Arko III.

Six-time Olympian John has also enjoyed much team success at Spruce Meadows, helping Britain to victory in the Nations Cup event on seven occasions – including four on the trot from 1989 to 1992 alongside his brother Michael, and Nick Skelton. But it was 1980 that perhaps delivered the best spoils, when some negotiating from the late British showjumping team manager Ronnie Massarella resulted in a spontaneous holiday for the team.

“We weren’t allowed to take the trophy home because it stays at Spruce Meadows,” explains John. “So when Britain won it for a third time in a row, Ronnie was trying to get something out of it because we couldn’t keep the trophy, so a holiday in Hawaii got suggested. When we won, Ron Southern [Spruce Meadows founder] stood by it and gave us the holiday. It was much better than the trophy!”

A “game-changer” for showjumping

Looking back, John believes Spruce Meadows was a “game-changer” for showjumping, owing to the generous prize money it put on the table. Today the CPKC International grand prix prize pot is one of the richest in the world at $3m (£1.762m).

“The other shows had to up their game prize money-wise, so it changed the sport. It was fantastic in those days to get prize money like that,” he explains, adding that the unique Calgary weather also added some surprises to the mix.

“A couple of times in the morning you’d be walking the course and there would be snow on the ground. One year I remember they cleared the ring with hand shovels, because they didn’t want to damage the ground with machines.”

John adds that Spruce Meadows hasn’t rested on its laurels and continues to develop its world-renowned facilities.

“The place is incredible,” he says. “They keep improving it and making it bigger and better, which seems impossible – but they keep doing it.

“Until this year, I hadn’t been for at least 10 years. And I missed it the years I didn’t come. It’s the way they do things here, the way they look after the crowds and get them in. It’s always a good atmosphere here.”

Recalling more Spruce Meadows history, John says in the early years much work went into promoting the event – and a special after-hours haunt, renowned for its line-dancing, remains a place for riders to visit for some downtime.

“The first time I went to Spruce Meadows they had all the teams dressed in their riding gear in wagons driving us around Calgary promoting the show. They also used to put free buses on from Calgary for spectators, so they really promoted it well and got people coming. And now it’s known throughout the world,” he says.

“It’s definitely one of the standout shows – the prize money, the atmosphere, the place, the organisation. They make it very easy for us to want to come here.

“We’ve had plenty of fun times. We used to always stop at Ranchman’s on the way home, it’s a real cowboy saloon. We haven’t been yet this trip, but I think we have to for old times’ sake. We used to call in nearly every night when we were younger. There was no line dancing for us though – just sampling the beer!”

“It’s good to be back”, says John Whitaker

This year marked John’s return to Spruce Meadows for the first time in more than 15 years – and the British team’s since 2016. The squad of Sameh El Dahan and WKD Toronto, Ben Maher and Exit Remo, Matt Sampson and Equine America Ivanhoe GPH, and John with Equine America Unick Du Francport, hoped to replicate Great Britain’s past success in the Nations Cup event. Another Brit in action at the Masters tournament was Rolex grand slam winner Scott Brash and his World Championships team bronze medal-winning ride and Paris 2024 hopeful Hello Jefferson.

“It’s good to be back, and with the team,” says John. “They’re all good [shows] to win, but this is especially a good one. It’s a good place for Matt, he does well here, Ben’s on flying form, Sameh’s been doing well, and I’ve been doing well.”

Although the Brits didn’t pull off the win, they could hold their heads high finishing fourth, in what was an action-packed and drama-filled Nations Cup competition at Spruce Meadows. The win ultimately went to Ireland, the country’s first Nations Cup victory here since 2001.

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‘It was a bit wild’: top rider thrills crowds to complete 1.50m jump-off after stirrup detaches mid-round

Becky Murray — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 16:35:23 +0000

A stirrup flying off mid-round might be alarming for some – especially in a 1.50m jump-off – but not for “super competitive” Australian Olympic rider Katie Laurie.

The Spruce Meadows’ Suncor Winning Round provided thrilling entertainment on Saturday (9 September) at the Masters tournament in Calgary as 30 combinations battled it out forthe lion’s share of the $150,000 (£88,700) up for grabs.

The top 10 from the first round came back to jump again, in reverse order, with Olympic champion Ben Maher first to go on nine-year-old gelding Enjeu De Grisien. Ben set the pace with a determined 54.70sec round, that no one could catch – until last-in Katie Laurie and Cera Caruso stepped up.

The pair’s round looked smooth and quick, until a heart-stopping moment when the exuberant 15-year-old chestnut gelding put in a mighty leap, nearly jumping Katie out of the saddle, and her stirrup detached.

Katie rebalanced, and with the crowd behind her, stormed to the finish. Her one-stirrup round was the fastest, stopping the clock on 52.92sec, but a late-falling last pole meant the pair finished sixth.

“It was a bit wild!” said Katie. “I came quite tight to an oxer, and he jumped so high that he launched me and my stirrup fell off.

“I’m not the best no-stirrup rider, but I wasn’t going to give up! We tried. I’m very competitive so I was not going to let that stop me.”

Katie, who was formerly based in England with Michael Bates, then relocated to Calgary, said her top horse Django was injured during the summer so Cera Caruso stepped up to jump 1.60m grands prix.

“He tried his little guts out in the summer, but he’s really competitive at this 1.50m level. He’s so much fun,” she said.

Ben was thrilled to take his second win of the Spruce Meadows Masters tournament, having won the TELUS Cup on the opening day with Exit Remo. Ben said that having made it into the final 10 with Enjeu De Grisien and having to go first, he rode like he had “nothing to lose”.

Ben Maher pictured on Enjeu De Grisien (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“It was incredible,” he said. “Enjeu is a horse I’ve had a couple of years now but he’s still inexperienced, even at nine years old and especially in this kind of arena. But he’s jumped well.

“I was lucky with the format just to get into the second round, I thought I’d misjudged the time a bit and didn’t really have a lot to lose in the jump-off. It’s a big prize money class which gives a little extra incentive, [as do] the big crowds here, so I just went like I had nothing to lose, and I had a little bit of luck with the other riders in the end.”

Ben added that he was “very proud” of Enjeu.

“He has a huge stride so some of the distances early on felt very holding and very waiting. I didn’t really think there was the option to leave out any, but when I jumped the wall I saw a distance from a very long way to the last and I just kind of kept going,” he said.

“It’s a first for him, he’s never experienced that kind of riding, but he did very well for me, and I think that’s probably where I just managed to stay ahead. The original plan was to jump the grand prix but after the way he jumped in this, I thought he deserves some pampering and we’ll get him flown home.

“He’ll probably have a month to six weeks off now, we have a little bit of down time while I have some shows with some other horses coming up, and he’ll start back up in the middle of October.”

‘I wanted to change the bit, Dad said just ride better!’ Special horse delivers dream win in $3m grand prix

Becky Murray — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 10:13:47 +0000

“He’s such a special horse. He gave everything today,” said Martin Fuchs of the 11-year-old stunning grey gelding Leone Jei, who jumped the only triple clear to win the $3m (£1.76m) CPKC International presented by Rolex at the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament in Canada (6-10 September).

Martin, who was on the Swiss team that came sixth at the European Showjumping Championships in Milan with Leone Jei the previous week, also became the live contender for the next leg of the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, at Geneva, which he won in 2019 and 2021.

“It’s one of my biggest dreams to win here,” said Martin. “My father Thomas was here plenty of times and quite a few times he was placed well in the grand prix, but he never managed to win. He always said this is the best show in the world and he pushed me to win one day here, and it’s today. It’s just wonderful.”

The renowned class, which features fences from previous championships including the Tokyo Olympics, is known as one of the most difficult in the world – and Leopoldo Palacios’ technical track delivered on expectations. The first real test of scope was a combination at fence four, a triple bar on a forward two strides to an oxer. The questions continued right to the end with a formidable final line in the first round, a 1.62m vertical then a steady six strides to a triple combination, catching out 10 of the 34 starters. It was then down to the final, and biggest fence on course, an oxer stretching 1.85m wide.

The first round produced only five clears, and the top 12 came back to jump another full second round in reverse order of faults and time. Tiffany Foster and 13-year-old gelding Figaro, and Martin and Leone Jei, left the fences up second time around to go head to head in the jump-off. Silence fell on the famous international arena as Tiffany set off, but when she knocked the second part of the double, it all came down to Martin to deliver the clear, and Leone Jei was happy to oblige, looking eager all the way and stopping the clock on 43.58sec.

“I had a scary moment in the first round where he jumped fantastic up to the Canadian planks, and then he jumped even higher and jumped me out of the saddle and I lost my stirrup and my left rein for a few strides,” said Martin. “Thank God it was a right bending line to the next fence and I could take the reins again and get it back together. But I still didn’t have the stirrup. It’s something I’ve trained on a lot with my father, he’s always said you need to be able to get your foot back in the stirrup without looking down – but I didn’t find the stirrup, and I was looking down – and I thought I hope he doesn’t see this right now.

“After the first round we had a discussion about changing his bit as he was so keen, but my dad told me that we shouldn’t do this and that I should just ride better!

“I was also lucky in the last as I had rub at the vertical where there were a lot of faults. But the rest he jumped beautiful, and in the second round and jump-off, I’m just so happy to have a horse like Leone Jei.”

‘It’s the drug I get out of this job’: falls and drama as Ireland secure historic win

Becky Murray — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 15:18:49 +0000

Team Ireland’s sensational season has continued as they became winners of the Spruce Meadows’ BMO Nations Cup for the first time since 2001.

“The pride to win a Nations Cup is insurmountable to me. It’s the drug that I get out of doing this job,” said Irish chef d’equipe Michael Blake.

It was a turbulent opening for many of the seven teams in the Spruce Meadows’ international arena on Saturday afternoon (9 September), with falls from three different nations – and the surprise loss of defending champions Sweden, who produced the lowest score and failed to make it to the second round.

Ireland came into round two on just one time-penalty, but a man down, after Conor Swail and Calciet EB Z fell at the water. Behind them was Canada on four-faults, with Mario Deslauriers and Emerson having a fence, and Erynn Ballard and Gakhir, Amy Millar and Truman, and Tiffany Foster and Figor, posting superb clear rounds, to the delight of the jubilant home crowd.

In the second round Daniel Coyle produced a convincing clear with the reliable 13-year-old mare Legacy to keep Irish hopes firmly alive, while Denis Lynch added four-faults to the tally when 14-year-old gelding Brooklyn Heights knocked the front bar of the square Rolex oxer three from home. However, Germany was soon knocking at the door with solid fault-free rounds from Richard Vogel and Cepano Baloubet, Kendra Claricia Brinop and In Time, and Hans-Dieter Dreher and Elysium. It was down to Ireland’s anchorman Bertram Allen and the experienced 11-year-old gelding Pacino Amiro to bring home the goods as silence fell across the arena, and the pair kept the pace up and delivered under pressure to seal the deal.

“I felt the pressure, but I had great confidence in my horse. He was jumping very good in the first round, and then even better in the warm-up for the second round, so it was a good feeling and I trusted that I could do it,” said Bertram.

Denis said confidence was high from the off, with plenty of experience behind them. All the Irish combinations bar Conor and Calciet EB Z were part of the team at the World Championships in Herning last year.

“We all had a really good feeling from the beginning of the week. We came with a plan, and without brilliant teammates this doesn’t happen. I remember on Thursday morning before breakfast Bertram said to me, ‘I have a really good feeling, I think we can win this’,” said Denis.

“Michael changed the team somewhat around, which isn’t the easiest thing to do when there’s five or six riders here. He had to make some big calls, and he made them, and they were the right decision. When it comes off, it’s even sweeter. A lot of the times you can do everything right, everything’s great and going perfect but then you touch a pole, and you don’t win. And when you do win, as a team it’s a pretty incredible thing to do for your country – that’s what it’s all about.”

Britain fourth on return to Spruce Meadows

Although Ben Maher and Exit Remo produced a super second-round clear, it wasn’t to be for the Brits with the team of Ben, Matt Sampson and Equine America Ivanhoe GPH, Sameh El Dahan and WKD Toronto, and John Whitaker and Equine America Unick Du Francport, collecting faults across the board to settle for fourth in Britain’s first Spruce Meadows’ Nations Cup appearance in recent years.

Last-minute bit change pays off for top rider in 1.60m Spruce Meadows jump-off

Becky Murray — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 17:26:23 +0000

Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs delivered a masterclass jump-off to win the Spruce Meadows CSI5* 1.60m Tourmaline Oil Cup on Commissar Pezi on Friday evening (8 September) – with a last-minute bit change giving him the edge.

“We try to give him the best home possible, and I think he pays it back,” said Martin about the super talented 10-year-old gelding, whom he won the CHIO Aachen Nations Cup leg with in June.

In the first round over Leopoldo Palacios’ up-to-height track in Spruce Meadows’ international arena, combinations had to exercise some serious precision across the 14 jumping efforts. The short time allowance of 75 seconds added to the pressure, resulting in poles falling for many in the final tasking line featuring a big square oxer, an upright, and another oxer.

Out of 34 starters, only four jumped clear, with the first coming early from Mexico’s Eugenio Garza Perez and Contago (who opted not to return for the jump-off). Martin laid down the next fault-free round, followed by Evelina Tovek and Winnetour De La Hamente Z for Sweden, and home-side rider Mario Deslauriers and Bardolina 2.

In the jump-off, pathfinders Martin and Commissar Pezi were out to do business, whipping round from the first fence back to a vertical and galloping down to a double combination. The nippy gelding opened up round to the next, and following a rollback to the last oxer, they stopped the clock 38.51sec. Evelina Tovek and Winnetour De La Hamente Z made a valiant effort to catch the Swiss pair, and although their round looked quick, they steadied slightly to the last, to finish on 40.30sec and take second. Mario Deslauriers and Bardolina were third.

Martin said he went almost a bit “too fast” in the first round which led to him making a tack adjustment before the jump-off.

“I was not so happy with the riding in my first round, so I made some adjustments and I also changed the bit for the jump-off, and it gave me a much better feeling,” he explained.

“Before I used a hackamore with a snaffle, and in the jump-off I rode him in a double bridle. He was quite strong in the first round and running a little bit with me, and I didn’t have so much control.”

Martin said it was tough deciding on his plan for the jump-off .

“It’s always very nice when there’s not so many riders in the jump-off, but you still don’t really know what you have to do to put enough pressure on the others, without taking as much risk as if there were 12 in it,” he said.

“So I was a little bit nervous to be doing the right thing, but Commissar Pezi jumped so well in both rounds that he really gave me a lot of confidence that I could take risks and go fast, and it turned out perfect.”

Martin, who also won the Spruce Meadows ATCO Cup with Bastille on Thursday (7 September), described Commissar Pezi as a “funny character”, who is “a bit cautious of everything”.

“At first when we got him he was very shy, and didn’t have much personality but now he’s really started to grow. In the past seven-eight months he really became quite a character and a really fun horse to be around,” he said.

“I think he feels at home with us now. He’s finished jumping for the weekend, and in three weeks he’ll do the Nations Cup final in Barcelona.”

Golden TV-spot purchase pays off for Olympic champion ahead of team event

Becky Murray — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 06:08:12 +0000

Ben Maher scored an opening win at the Spruce Meadows Masters on the horse he bought after spotting him on TV at the venue last year – ahead of the Brits’ Nations Cup team appearance.

Olympic champion Ben Maher soared to victory in Calgary, Canada, with Exit Remo in the 1.50m TELUS Cup yesterday (6 September) in the Spruce Meadows international ring. 15 combinations came forward to the jump-off, where Ireland’s Denis Lynch set the pace with a speedy clear on 14-year-old gelding Brooklyn Heights on 40.82sec. But Ben held nothing back to snatch the lead on Exit Remo on 39.98sec. Ben was also fourth with nine-year-old gelding Enjeu De Grisien.

Ben said it was “amazing” to have a victory under his belt at the start of the show – especially as he had not been around to ride Exit Remo last week while he was at the Europeans in Milan with Faltic HB, where the pair finished fourth individually. He credited his groom Kirsty for riding Exit Remo in the days leading up to Spruce Meadows, and said the San Remo gelding felt in “perfect form”.

Exit Remo is no stranger to the big ring at Spruce Meadows, having been third with the Netherlands’ Patrick Lemmen in the Nations Cup event last year. This was the performance that caught Ben’s eye.

“I was at home last year watching and wanting to be here and we were looking for a horse with a bit more experience, and so we bought him just after Spruce Meadows,” said Ben, who co-owns the 14-year-old gelding with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright.

“I thought he was an older, worldly horse, but actually he’s sensitive. He’ll like this today, because it wasn’t as big as some of the competitions are going to get in the week, and he gets confidence from a round like that and he really grows into himself. So he wasn’t quite the horse I thought he was in the beginning, he has that sensitive side, but he’s a very easy horse to handle; he rides in a snaffle, and he makes my life pretty easy.”

The pair have had some notable success this summer, including being part of Britain’s historic victory at the Hickstead Nations Cup, and third at the Brussels Nations Cup leg. Ben will take Exit Remo forward to the team event on Saturday (9 September), in what will be the Brits’ first team Spruce Meadow appearance for years. They will be joined by teammates Sameh El Dahan and WKD Toronto, Matt Sampson and Equine America Ivanhoe GPH, and John Whitaker and Equine America Unick Du Francport.

Asked how it feels to be joining John Whitaker on a team at Spruce Meadows, where John holds legendary status, Ben joked that the 68-year-old “just doesn’t want to give up”.

“I think he might still be here in another 15 years,“ he said. “My son’s only just over a year old and he’ll probably be riding with John Whitaker on a team in years to come.”

Matt Sampson scored another win for the Brits in the Spruce Meadows international arena, following his phenomenal winning streak at the venue last summer, to take victory in the one-round 1.45m Cardel Homes Cup with 13-year-old gelding Fabrice DN, on 61.27sec. He also won the 1.40m Richardson Wealth Cup with 11-year-old gelding Curraghgraigue Obos Flight.

A $1m grand prix, an ‘awe-inspiring’ jump-off and young Brits prepare for glory

Becky Murray — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 16:00:43 +0000

Egyptian showjumper Nayel Nassar scooped the lion’s share of a $1,000,000 prize pot at Spruce Meadows, Jodie Hall McAteer, 23, scored an impressive victory in the Ommen CSI3* grand prix 1.55m grand prix with Kimosa Van Het, plus the European Showjumping Championships for young riders, juniors and children get under way in Gorla Minore, Italy (10-16 July). Read on for a round-up of this week’s international showjumping news and results.

Top prize money on offer at Spruce Meadows

Nayel and the 14-year-old gelding Coronado fended off 34 combinations to win the CSI5* 1.60m ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the Canadian venue during the North American Tour (5–9 July). Nayel and Coronado jumped two clear rounds to take the $330,000 (£193,580) first prize, beating Spain’s Sergie Alvarez Moya and Puma Hs by more than two seconds. Nayel and Sergie were the only riders to jump double clear around Olympic course-designer Santiago Varela’s 1.60m track.

Spruce Meadows results

British victory in the Netherlands

Jodie was thrilled to win the feature class at the Ommen CSI3* (5-9 July), staving off competition from home-side rider Michael Greeve and Jacksonville Eurohill, and Ireland’s Harry Allen and Calculatus. The top 12 combinations returned for the jump-off, and it was Jodie who was the first to take a tight line from a big oxer to secure the win.

“I’m on such a fantastic horse. She fights for it in the ring. She is often a bit on the lazy side, but when she is in the ring she wants to do well,” said Jodie, who is based with the Schröder family in Twente, the Netherlands.

“I learn so much and have a great team behind me. I want nothing more than to develop as a rider and ride in championships one day. It is much more practical to go to the competitions from the Netherlands instead of from England. Of course I miss my family, but I will see them soon when I go to Hickstead (26-30 July).”

CSI Ommen results

“An awe-inspiringly fast round”

Another young Brit making waves abroad is Robert Murphy, 23, who beat 24 combinations to head the CSI2* grand prix at Longines Tops International Arena on the 10-year-old Imbeer on 9 July. Robert won with an “awe-inspiringly fast round”, and stopped the clock on 30.31 seconds.

“I am delighted with this win, Imbeer jumped fantastic in this incredible grass arena. These shows at Longines Tops International Arena are brilliant to bring a wide range of horses to with such great facilities,” said Robert.

“Recently I moved to Belgium to base myself with Jos Lansink so we will be coming back for the rest of the summer. The atmosphere is fantastic.”

France’s Pénélope Leprevost was second with Fantasy de la Roque Z, and Brazil’s Marlon Mondolo Zanotelli was third on Electro vd Kromsteeg. Marlon went on to win the CSI4* grand prix the same day on Cornest.

Longines Tops International Arena results

Brits in action in Gorla Minore

This week the European Showjumping Championships for young riders, juniors and children get under way in Gorla Minore, Italy, and Britain is fielding a team in each section.

Junior squad:

Lauren Caroline and 12-year-old gelding Gait L, owned by Lee CarolineSophie Evans and 11-year-old gelding CSIO Beln, owned by ESM EquestrianTabitha Kyle and 15-year-old mare Desterly, owned by TJ Hall LtdNoora von Bulow and 10-hear-old gelding Interstar B, owned by her mother Sharifa Al-HomaiziMaisy Williams and 15-year-old gelding Devil VD To Jo Pe Hoeve, owned by her father Guy Williams

Young rider squad:

Oliver Fletcher and 10-year-old gelding IV Willem, owned by Alison Walton and Graham FletcherNicole Lockhead Anderson and 13-year-old bay gelding Chatondo, owned by Thomas WilliamsSandy Mclean and 12-year-old gelding Gino F, owned by Marjory McNaughton and SandyClaudia Moore and 11-year-old mare Hardesther, owned by her mother Katrina MooreRed Morgan and 12-year-old grey gelding Golia, owned by Didy Morgan

Children squad:

Darcy Breen, from West Sussex, with the 10-year-old chestnut mare Kunis, owned by Lea PopelyEmily Gulliver and 8-year-old mare Fleur De Nuit 8, owned by Ben GulliverSienna Lanni and 10-year-old chestnut gelding Bermudez BDA, owned by Jill WilliamsRuby Payne and 12-year-old mare Whitesparke Pepper, owned by Russell PayneSula von Bülow and 14-year-old grey mare Dabelle, owned by her mother Sharifa Al-Homaizi

‘Not a dry eye in the house’: British teenager wins her first grand prix and wildfires threaten five-star jumping

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 16:44:59 +0000

To win an international grand prix at the age of 18 is an amazing achievement, but to do so when you’re still new to the sport is even more remarkable, so hats off to British teenager Keira Stoute for an understandably emotional victory in Cannes at the weekend.

Meanwhile, wildfires threatened to halt proceedings at the five-star Continental tournament at Spruce Meadows, Canada, but there was certainly no stopping British rider Matt Sampson who, with two wins already under his belt, looks well on his way to matching his streak of 17 victories at the venue last summer. Read on for this week’s round-up of international showjumping news and results.

Pony Clubber steps up for emotional grand prix victory

The CSI2* grand prix at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Cannes, France, resulted in an emotional victory for 18-year-old Keira Stoute with a new ride of barely four months, the 12-year-old Cassini Gold gelding KI Guru. Five combinations jumped clear in round one, three of whom were flying the British flag, but Keira won with the quickest double clear in 41.45sec, over four seconds faster than runner-up Genene Burnett for South Africa riding Vanda Phantom, with fellow Brit Tess Carmichael third riding Luke Lemon. Joe Clayton posted the fastest time but with faults on the great mare Belinda.

Keira is only just stepping up to CSI2* grands prix, having only jumped internationally for the first time two years ago, and the teenager comes from a Pony Club background so is still relatively new to the sport of showjumping.

“We are all absolutely delighted,” Keira’s trainer Tom Plaster told H&H of her win on the Riviera. “What Keira has achieved with her level of experience is amazing.

“She rode the jump-off absolutely to plan. It was only her second ranking class and to go in there, do all the turns and win by four seconds is fantastic. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house – it was a very proud moment for Keira’s parents, Richard and Sarah, her sister Lauren and myself, and for the whole team at Keysoe. Keira’s got a really strong team behind her.

“She deserves it though – she really puts the work in and we train hard every day.”

Tom describes Guru as a “lovely, gentle horse, really kind”.

“He’s a great teacher for Keira, he helps her along the way, but Keira puts the work in too,” he explained. “She makes sure she keeps it all together. He’s a big horse, so it’s amazing for an 18-year-old with her level of experience to manoeuvre him round and she does so very well. All her training paid off to guide him round in Cannes.”

According to Tom, he and Keira are now “back to the drawing board” and hoping for some more good results this year.

“She’s showjumping full time now and she and I are out there training every day,” said Tom, who began working with Keira five months ago.

Kiera Stoute and KI Guru in action en route to winning the CSI2* grand prix at the LGCT of Cannes (Image credit: Stefano Grasso)

“At the moment we’re just concentrating on what we’re doing but her aim is to go all the way to the top. Short-term we’re aiming for young riders and under-25 competitions, to represent her country, that would be the main goal.”

Keira added: “I’m absolutely delighted to have won my first two-star grand prix world ranking class. I couldn’t have asked Guru to give me more than he did. He’s an exceptional horse with the biggest heart who just wants to deliver his best for you every time. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my head coach, Tom Plaster who really helps me develop as an athlete every day. I would also like to thank Gerry Mullins for his intense monthly boot camps and Cian O’Connor for his coaching and support on my journey to be the best I can be.”

Allen scores a ‘perfect ending’

Belgium-based British showjumper Millie Allen landed the CSI2* grand prix at CSI2* Peelbergen, the Netherlands, riding the nine-year-old Odarco Van D’Abelendreef. She described the win as a “perfect ending” after she also posted a 1.40m win with new mare Homey and her other horses all jumped well at the show.

“I was over the moon with Odarco and it was a really good day because nearly all the horses jumped clear that day in their finals,” Millie told H&H. “So to top it off with Odarco winning the grand prix was the perfect ending. He did everything he needed to do, and went fast.

“He’s quite a big horse. But he really listens to me, and he’s good at turning.

“Homey is a speedy little horse – pretty small but she has a massive stride,” she added. “I have a nice string at the moment and we’ve been slowly working away so it was nice to show what they’re made of.”

Fantastic 14-way jump-off for Rolex grand prix

An electric 14-combination jump-off for the Rolex grand prix of La Baule, France, resulted in a hard-fought win for Nicola Philippaerts of Belgium riding the 13-year-old mare Katanga VH Dingeshof. He had an anxious wait as final rider Jens Fredricson of Sweden rocketed home from final draw to come close to Nicola’s leading time, but stopped the clock just 0.3sec slower.

“It’s my first five-star win on Katanga and she really deserves it,” said Nicola. “She has often been very close to winning in major grands prix and she gave her all today. I am very proud of her. I saw the round by Henrik von Eckermann [the leader at the time, eventual third on Iliana] and I knew it would be hard because I don’t always have complete control over her. Then, when Jens set off, I was a bit stressed because we’ve known each other for a long time, we’re friends and I must confess that I was very happy when I saw the timer stop.”

Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z NOP win the CSI5* LGCT grand prix of Cannes (Image credit: creditUnknown)

‘I may as well throw the kitchen sink at it’

Dutch showjumper Maikel van der Vleuten triumphed in the CSI5* Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of Cannes with his Olympic medallist Beauville Z NOP. He was last to go and stopped the clock 0.5sec quicker than Belgium’s Pieter Devos on Mom’s Toupie De La Roque, with Michael Duffy third with Cinca 3.

“I made a plan with my father [Eric van der Vleuten] and it’s a fantastic feeling when it works out that well,” said Maikel, who also heads the LGCT overall standings. “My family was here today as well as the owner of Beauville, Marta Ortega Pérez with her husband, so it was a fantastic moment for me today.”

Pieter Devos paid tribute to the winner: “I’m super, super happy of course, but it was so close it also feels a bit bitter. Maikel is one of the best, so I knew he was very dangerous to me and I thought OK, I do my round and hopefully he goes a bit slower or has one down – but he didn’t because he’s the best.”

Ireland’s Michael Duffy added: “When there were 13 clears I said ‘I’m not going to leave it behind me, I may as well throw the kitchen sink at it and see what happens’. She jumped great, she jumped amazing – and she deserved it as well.”

Matthew Sampson and Lord of London © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Wildfires fail to halt Spruce Meadows’ five-star tournament

The final day of the Spruce Meadows Continental tournament presented by Rolex looked under threat when winds brought smoke from the Alberta wildfires. Immediate attention was “brought to the situation in consultation sport federation guidelines, the FEI veterinary commission, health experts and data analysis of both the air quality index and air particulate concentration. The data, and the experts, agreed that competition could continue with no additional health risks to either human or equine athlete.”

Although the FEI does not have a formal poor air quality guideline, the government of Canada (AQHI), Sport Canada (NF) and Equine Canada have guidelines in place for this type of environmental factor and the competition was determined with the OC, veterinary commission and the FEI officials that it could be given the green light.

Gamble bows to the judges at Spruce Meadows with Conor Swail in the saddle (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The Spruce Meadows grand prix was won by Colombian rider John Perez riding Gigi-Carmen, while Conor Swail of Ireland won the CSI2* equivalent on Gamble and Great Britain’s Matt Sampson kicked off what could be another successful summer at the venue, adding two wins to his tally with Lord Of London and MGH Candy Girl. Could he beat his record run of 17 wins from last year?

Adam Cromarty: ‘The most difficult news I have ever had to deliver’

Adam Cromarty — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 15:07:57 +0000

While Adam Cromarty prefers to ad-lib his commentary, he made an exception for the very sad news he had to share while working at Spruce Meadows Masters

Every year as the outdoor season draws to a close, I head to Canada for the always memorable Spruce Meadows Masters tournament, the final Major of the summer.

I still look back with excitement when I recall announcing Scott Brash as the winner of the Rolex Grand Slam in 2015, a day in history which no other rider has yet managed to replicate.

The year before that saw sunshine turn to snow, and over 200 people with true Calgarian spirit hand-shovelled over 1ft in snow off the entire international ring and helped restore essential services to allow the competition to continue.

This year brought a mixture of memories and emotions as seven of the world’s top-10 riders rode through the iconic clock tower. It was on the second day that we heard the heartbreaking news that Her Majesty The Queen had died.

Pageantry is a key element of the Masters with the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and 50 members of the Household Cavalry band all in attendance. Very quickly, the Spruce Meadows team had to help facilitate the immediate return trip of these serving soldiers who now had pressing ceremonial duties to perform.

Whether I am on television or commentating, I rarely script anything. I find ad-libbing provides a much more natural delivery. However, when it came to breaking the news of The Queen’s death, I made an exception. As competition paused, it was the most difficult few paragraphs I have ever had to deliver.

A commonwealth stadium fell silent, and although my commentary position is far from the stands, I was told of the tears and hugs shared by an audience who appreciated Her Majesty as a monarch, but also as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who shared their love of the horse.

The Queen has always had a place in the hearts of those at Spruce Meadows. Her visit there in 1990 is still widely talked about with much fondness. The venue co-founder, Marg Southern, was Her Majesty’s lady-in-waiting, and the Queen Elizabeth II Cup still features as a focal point in the summer series.

“What our sport is all about”

A standout campaign grew to a climax for Britain’s Matt Sampson. After grafting his way through the national grades, it’s fantastic to see his talent and ambitions realised. Just two years ago, he was struggling to get into shows in Europe. Since June, he has won 20 FEI competitions; he and his partner Kara Chad work tremendously hard and I couldn’t be happier for them.

The CP International grand prix, won this year by Daniel Deusser and Killer Queen VDM, is the toughest competition in the world. The athletes know what to expect and if you’re a showjumping purist, then it has all the ingredients to make your taste buds tingle. It’s also the richest day in our sport with $3m on offer, with Rolex Grand Slam bonuses on top.

The time allowed is always a factor, and when added with the unique fence material, mostly purchased from Olympics and championships, and the course design by Leopoldo Palacios, you better walk the track twice and make sure you’ve had a good breakfast!

After two rounds, we were left with three double clears. Coming into the final round, a jump-off against the clock, I couldn’t resist saying, “It’s time to play, who wants to be a millionaire!” It’s cheesy, but unless Jeremy Clarkson leaves the ITV show and a few others step aside, it’s the only time I’ll get to use that line.

I mentioned when Daniel entered the ring, “all” he had to do was jump clear – no pressure. As he came down to the last, a delicate vertical, I whispered to a sold-out stadium, “Jump this for a million dollars,” and luckily, he did.

This horsemanship, drama and excitement is what our sport is all about.

This exclusive column is also available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 29 September

The toughest grand prix track in the world: fancy jumping this bicycle or a bendy wall?

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 17:20:00 +0000

The tracks for the annual CP International grand prix presented by Rolex at Spruce Meadows, Canada, are widely acknowledged to be the toughest in the world and, with $3million in prize-money on offer, it’s no wonder an elite field of showjumpers flock from across the globe to take on the immense challenge. Past winners over these unique showjumping fences include Eddie Macken (Boomerang), John Whitaker with Milton, and Eric Lamaze riding Hickstead.

Regular course-designer Leopoldo Palacios is the master of design, setting three tough but fair tracks to whittle down the 40 contenders. The top 12 riders progress to the full-length second round, before a shortened jump-off course for any combinations who manage to jump double clear – and those are few and far between.

This year’s tremendous competition was won by Daniel Deusser riding Killer Queen VDM after a three-way jump-off, while the previous year’s victor, Steve Guerdat with Venard De Cerisy, achieved another double clear this time.

The dimensions of the showjumping fences are breathtaking, with verticals towering to 1.70m (5ft7in) and spreads stretching to 2.10m (just under 6ft11in). But the tight time allowed is always a huge factor, especially in the vast expanse of the Calgary turf, and there are plenty of decisions to be made on stride options along the way.

Venezuelan course-designer Leopoldo Palacios explains: “I never like to build courses that don’t balance, so if I include a long distance, I will also include a short distance, and then a normal distance. In this way, the course will appeal to all of the horses and riders,” he says.

Visually, too, the jumps are spectacular, with many brought in from previous championships and Olympic Games. Horses are expected to sail over everything from a train to a bicycle, past swans and over a vast open water, as well as the venue’s notorious double of Liverpools. The technicality of this year’s track had been increased significantly due to the high calibre of entries.

Here we walk you through just some of the key challenges seen in this year’s CP International presented by Rolex at Spruce Meadows.

CP International grand prix: round one

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Horses and riders faced two sizeable oxers to start with, followed by this light and airy windmill fence at three (above), before a turn back to the striking Beijing wall (below).

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Competitors were then encouraged to open up for the vast water jump at fence five, which unusually featured a bendy serpentine wall on take-off.

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We then went from one extreme to the other – continuing the line across the arena straight from the water jump, horses and riders then had to negotiate a vertical-vertical-oxer treble combination (pictured below). Traditionally all the elements of doubles and trebles are built out of the same materials and colours, but the Spruce Meadows team have been experimenting with different colour combinations and these Tokyo-inspired obstacles were red and white, followed by blue and white, then orange and white for a really dazzling effect. Plenty of riders came unstuck here.

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Round the bend, horses were met with a vertical over a huge dry ditch – filled with gravel – at fence seven (pictured below). Horses’ eyes are naturally drawn down to the ground at fences like this, which makes it easy for them to tap out the top rail.

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After a colourful double at 8a and b, with an unusually short one stride (just 7.60m), slightly uphill, between the vertical and a 1.70m wide oxer out, it was on towards the in-gate and Spruce Meadows’ iconic clock tower for a skinny vertical at fence nine (below). The white gate at the base of the fence draws the horse’s eye down again, and the top rail fell many times here.

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Fence 10, a triple bar, was relatively straightforward, off a bend (see below), but let’s not forget the dimensions here – it stretched a mind-blowing 1.90m wide.

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The designers then built for eight strides to an elaborate fence 11, encouraging riders to use this stretch to make up time, however they needed to think ahead to a very short four-stride distance (“really it’s just three strides” said the design team – and one combination did clear it in three) to the 1.60m skinny planks at fence 12 (below).

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Then it was a left turn to the mammoth CP oxer at fence 13, 1.53m high and 1.85m wide (pictured below), with the delicate 1.65m Rolex vertical, the tallest fence on course, to finish.

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CP International grand prix: round two

Coming early on this slightly shortened track for round two was this Rolex oxer with “pinstripe” poles (see below) – these horizontally striped poles are far more difficult to jump as horses find them harder to see and they can create an optical illusion.

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Riders are not fans of the world famous bicycle fence (pictured top), but it does tend to jump well. The approach this year was on either six or seven strides and although “not huge” this year at only 1.64m, it was heading straight towards the crowd so there was plenty to distract the horses.

Round the corner, was a fence rarely seen in grand prix competitions, an oxer-oxer one-stride double and it was constructed of red bricks and poles (see below), which horses also find hard to see.

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The Tower Bridge fence at seven (pictured below, complete with “River Thames”) was made famous at the London 2012 Olympics and it stood 1.59m high for round two of the CP International.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Many horses would run a mile at the sight of these swans (below) – one of a handful of fences brought in from the recent World Showjumping Championships in Denmark – but the double, sited 8m apart, was barely given a second glance by these top class equine athletes.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

After another triple bar, this time 1.59m high and a breathtaking 2.10m wide (pictured above) – “one of the widest I’ve ever seen set on a course” said the design team – came the renowned double of Liverpool verticals at fence 10a and b (below), at which horses always tend to back off slightly, but it jumped pretty well this year.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The final Canadian Pacific train oxer featured in many riders’ selfies as they walked the course – it was truly gigantic. H&H’s showjumping editor Jennifer Donald tried and failed to reach between the two top rails (pictured below) which stood 1.95m apart.

(Image credit: Tiffany Van Halle)

The final fence in the jump-off was so tall it looked as though it was leftover from the six-bar competition – a staggering 1.70m high.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

After seeing these fences up close, we certainly have a new found respect for every horse and rider that lines up for the CP International!

Getting started in showjumping course design

Leopoldo gave the following advice for any aspiring course-designers wishing to follow in his footsteps.

“You have to love horses,” he says. “You need to have passion and not be driven by money, as this is not a job for money. You can absolutely survive and I have a good life; but this job is all about loving the horses and having passion for the sport.

“Finally, you need to build the very best courses that you can, and make the riders compete against one another and not against you and your course.”

You may also be interested to read…

(Image credit: Jennifer Donald)

18 of the spookiest showjumping fences — would your horse go near any of these?

‘She’s the queen of overachieving’: 1.55m track proves too easy for spectacular mare

(Image credit: Jennifer Donald)

Venue honours British rider for incredible streak of 17 wins

(Image credit: Jennifer Donald)

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

‘She’s the queen of overachieving’: 1.55m track proves too easy for spectacular mare

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 07:26:37 +0000

“Who lowered the poles?” the spectacular mare Crusador Z seems to ask her Canadian rider Brian Morton as they soar effortlessly above the wings in the 1.55m PwC Cup showjumping competition at Spruce Meadows, Calgary, earlier this year.

This lovely grey 13-year-old daughter of Chacco-Blue always catches the eye in the ring and you’d be right in thinking she is finding this substantial track far beneath her capabilities as she’s proved to be something of a high-jump specialist in recent times.

She and Brian have now won the ATCO-sponsored six-bar class at her home venue of Spruce Meadows two years running, clearing a final vertical which towered to 1.95m (nearly 6ft5in) in this year’s event (pictured below).

“She’s the queen of over-achieving,” says Brian of the Spruce Meadows-owned mare: “She’s a wonderful horse for this [the six-bar].”

The extravagant grey mare, with scope to burn, dazzled with her athleticism over the imposing line of ever-increasing verticals under the spotlights. Also clearing the fences in the fourth and final jump-off to join Brian and Crusador Z in the winner’s circle were Jens Fredricson of Sweden riding Diarado’s Rose Elith and Kyle King (USA) with Coffee To Go.

“Last year we were figuring out how to do this class and we were a bit nervous,” reveals Brian. “This year I was very confident – I laid a system down and stuck with it and she jumped beautifully today.”

The in-form pair also won the three-star grand prix at Spruce Meadows in June.

Crusador Z’s sire Chacco-Blue has produced plenty more big-jumping offspring, including of course Ben Maher’s Olympic gold medal-winning partner Explosion W, and another who boasts the distinctive Superman jumping style is the chestnut gelding Chalou, who has jumped to great success with his Italian rider Emanuele Gaudiano.

Venue honours British rider for incredible streak of 17 wins

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 14:03:05 +0000

British showjumper Matt Sampson has made a huge impression since his move to North America, not least at Spruce Meadows in Canada, where he racked up an astonishing 17 wins this summer.

On Saturday (10 September) at the CSIO5* Masters Tournament, shortly after his latest victory in the Suncor Winning Round riding the great mare Ebolensky, show organisers presented Matt with some impressive silverware and a cooler rug as he was awarded the title of Spruce Meadows’ Xerox rider of the year.

“It’s an amazing venue to be at, so to win in the five-star here is every rider’s life ambition,” said Matt, who racked up $430,000 in prize-money from his 17 wins.

The 32-year-old’s first visit to the winner’s circle during the summer series came in early June with the 10-year-old Irish sport horse Curraghgraigue Obos Flight. Since then, he has ridden Evora BJX, Fabrice DN, new mare Elisa BJX and the 13-year-old Ebolensky to success in the show’s international classes, including a landmark first five-star grand prix victory.

Adding a winning hat-trick at the CSI3* at Vancouver in June stretches Matt Sampson’s list of international accomplishments in the past three months alone to 20.

“I’ve just had such an amazing year,” Matt told H&H.

Spruce Meadows president and CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott acknowledged his achievements in front of a packed house on the penultimate day of the season. “I don’t know that we’ve ever had an athlete who’s won 17 events at Spruce Meadows in one year,” she said.

Matt Sampson: ‘A life-long ambition’

Organisers and spectators alike have been charmed by this fierce competitor with his “contagious smile”, and he received rapturous applause for his winning performance in Saturday’s class on the 13-year-old mare Ebolensky, who he co-owns with the Evison family.

Drawn late in the 10-way decider, the pair soared into the lead in 58.14sec. But no class is over until Kent Farrington has jumped and with the advantage of last draw, the US rider and the buzzy chestnut Creedance pulled off a heart-stopping inside turn that Matt had spotted but had elected wouldn’t suit his mare.

The short-cut handed Kent a 3sec advantage but, as the crowd roared him home, the final oxer fell and victory went to Matt Sampson, who had finished second to Kent earlier in the week.

“I got my own back!” he said. “Ebolensky is an amazing horse, so careful. That ring is massive and the way they built the jump-off course, there were about 16 strides between fences! I’m lucky she has such a big stride and I can trust her to go at that speed to clear the fences. She really covers the ground. A lot of the time in a jump-off like that you have to slow down when you get to the fence because you’ve picked up so much speed, but with her I can put her in a rhythm and she stays in it.

“It’s not often Creedance or Kent has a fence down so we got lucky – but I’ll take it!”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Matt first jumped at Spruce Meadows in Calgary last year and returned for this year’s summer series.

“I’ve been lucky enough to win two five-star grands prix [one of which resulted in a rare dead-heat] with two different horses,” said Matt. “The horses just grow here and the facilities are the best in the world, so I’m just very grateful to be able to ride here.”

Matt contested Sunday’s CP International presented by Rolex, won by Daniel Deusser with Killer Queen VDM, with Fabrice DN, but unfortunately came unstuck at the difficult treble combination which came just a few strides after the open water in round one. It was the Luis Alejandro Plascencia-owned 12-year-old Fabrice DN who took Matt to his first five-star grand prix victory in the RBC grand prix of Canada in June.

“That was a life-long ambition, it’s what every rider strives to achieve,” said Matt.

You can read the full report from the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament in this week’s magazine, in the shops Thursday 15 September.

‘Incredible’ mare helps rider secure first leg of Rolex Grand Slam

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 15:01:30 +0000

“She just an incredible horse,” said German showjumper Daniel Deusser of his ever-obliging 12-year-old mare Killer Queen VDM after the duo achieved one of the hardest feats in the sport, jumping a triple clear to win the $3million CP International presented by Rolex at the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament in Canada, on Sunday (11 September).

Daniel also became the live contender for the next leg of the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, at Geneva in December.

“She was unbelievable to jump three clear rounds. Usually if you jump just two clear rounds, you’ve won already,” said Daniel. “But I’m able to enjoy this feeling now.”

This blue-riband event is one of the toughest classes in the world. Leopoldo Palacios’ formidable, technical tracks tower far higher than the average five-star grand prix and the Venezuelan doesn’t make any allowances for time-wasters. The stakes are raised even higher as the top 12 from the 40 starters jump a full second round before any riders on double clears – and they come few and far between in this contest – jump off against the clock.

Swiss rider Steve Guerdat lifted the prize last year as the sole double clear and was back in the mix this year as one of three jump-off contenders, lining up against Hickstead’s King George V Gold Cup winner Gilles Thomas of Belgium on Aretino 13 and the German hero.

With pressure and expectation pulsating round the arena, Steve opened proceedings with the tail-swishing 13-year-old gelding Venard De Cerisy. The pair skipped round until tapping out the first element of the double of swans – one of a handful of fences to have been bought in from the recent Herning World Championships – but they were quick and a 41.7sec four-fault round still applied the pressure to his rivals.

When the hotshot 24-year-old Belgian toppled two fences, it all came down to Daniel and this exquisite mare, who triumphed in last year’s Aachen grand prix. Daniel admitted he felt “pretty nervous” walking in beneath Spruce Meadows’ iconic clock tower, but this forward-thinking mare soared over every obstacle with a clean flick of her heels and the historic title was theirs.

“It’s a class I’ve followed since I was small,” he said. “I watched it on TV and I still have VHS cassettes at home that show the grand prix here. I’ve watched it over and over again, but I could never imagine being here. So to win the CP International presented by Rolex here in Spruce Meadows is a fantastic feeling.”

“She will definitely have a big dinner tonight and some carrots and sweets,” he added of the 12-year-old mare by Eldorado VD Zeshoek out of the legendary For Pleasure mare Derly Chin De Muze.

“At the beginning of the season, I set myself the goal to come here with her as I’d never been here before for the Grand Slam. She’s done well in these big grass rings. I think she enjoyed it.”

Daniel Deusser will now continue his journey once again towards the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping.

You can read the full report from the Spruce Meadows Masters in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound, in the shops Thursday 15 September.

‘A week after I started riding, I decided to become a showjumper’: meet young rider preparing for one of world’s toughest classes

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 17:28:29 +0000

On Sunday (11 September) one of the toughest showjumping classes in the world, the CP International presented by Rolex, takes place at the CSIO Spruce Meadows Masters, Calgary, in Canada.

The competition boasts one of the sport’s richest prize-funds ($3,000,000), as well as acting as one of the four legs of the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, so it’s no wonder that an elite field of top showjumpers have descended on the historic venue this week.

One key competitor is young German showjumper Gerrit Nieberg, the current live contender for the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping following his spectacular win at CHIO Aachen with Ben 431. This will be the 29-year-old rider’s first visit to Spruce Meadows.

“The Rolex Grand Slam is so traditional and unique,” says Gerrit, adding what a “real privilege” it is to be the live contender. “In our sport, there are so many shows each year and the Rolex Grand Slam is definitely a highlight as it consists of four of the best events. Everyone would love to be a winner at one of the Rolex Grand Slam events. It is viewed as a really important initiative among us riders and within the sport.

“It has always been a dream of mine [to be a live contender] and I have always looked up to the other riders who have achieved this. After my victory in the Rolex Grand Prix [in Aachen] it took a week or so to sink in that I am the live contender!”

Gerrit Nieberg: working hard to ‘achieve this dream’

Becoming the new live contender for the Grand Slam has also opened up a wealth of opportunities for Gerrit – after Spruce Meadows, he hopes to continue his bid in Geneva in December.

“This was something that I had not originally planned for because, due to my previous world ranking, I would not have been able to get into these shows,” says Gerrit, who is currently ranked 80th. “Now that I have a chance to compete at these shows, I want to do my best and give everything to continue this momentum.”

Gerrit is the son of double Olympic gold medallist Lars Nieberg, but only started riding when he was 13.

“Before this and growing up, I was more interested in other sports like soccer,” he says. “However, I did grow up with horses because of my parents, so there were always horses around and I decided to give it a go one day.

“My love for showjumping developed quickly and one week after starting to ride, I decided I wanted to become a professional showjumper. From that moment on, I was working and training hard every day to achieve this dream.

“My dad was the person who inspired me most when I was young due to all his experience and success. My dream has always been to be as good as he was, and still is, and maybe even a bit better one day! I still really look up to him in terms of who he is and how much he works each and every day. Although he is not showing competitively anymore, he is still riding every day at home. His motivation and support for everything that I do is unbelievable and very inspiring.”

Top horse Ben 431: ‘He is always fighting for you’

Spectators at the London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour will have seen Gerrit Nieberg in action with his top horse, the Aachen-winning 11-year-old Ben 431 (Sylvain x Quincy Jones), who he describes as “really over-motivated”.

“Occasionally, it can be quite difficult to handle him and keep him calm, but that is also a really positive thing because it means he is always fighting for you and trying to do his best at times,” he says. “He is tireless – for example after three rounds at CHIO Aachen, he was not tired and would have been able to do another one or two rounds. After the victory at Aachen, he also understood that he had done something special. There were lots of media commitments and so he received lots of attention – even more than before. Now he is always looking out of his window for more attention, so I think he feels like a superstar!”

Gerrit is quick to credit his team for his success.

“My team is hugely important – it’s not just me and Ben,” says Gerrit, who is based at the stables of former German showjumper Hendrik Snoek, who owns most of his horses. “We are in the ring together for 80 seconds but there is so much work that goes on behind the scenes. The whole team play a key role in enabling us to have success in those 80 seconds in the ring. Often everyone only talks about the rider and the horse, but there is so much more to it. All the others are just as, or even more, important. They are the true unsung heroes.

“Success is what keeps me motivated,” he adds. “It is important to have a goal. I absolutely love riding, but I don’t know whether I could do it without the element of competition, the shows and something to work towards. I am working as hard as ever to enjoy more moments like this.”

Gerrit Nieberg is joined at Spruce Meadows by a host of other top riders including Peder Fredricson, Henrik von Eckermann, Martin Fuchs, Scott Brash, Steve Guerdat, Kent Farrington, Daniel Deusser and Harrie Smolders.

All the tracks will be designed as always by course-builder Leopoldo Palacios, who has earned a great reputation for setting challenging yet fair tests for the world’s best horses and riders.

Horse & Hound will be bringing you all the action from the Spruce Meadows Masters tournament, both online and in next week’s magazine, in the shops on Thursday, 15 September.

A ‘big pony with a big heart’, a historic dead heat and a rider without a stirrup – who won showjumping ribbons this week?

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 05 Sep 2022 17:01:28 +0000

The summer season is reaching a crescendo across the Atlantic, with a string of top level shows in Canada and USA at the moment with showjumping results coming thick and fast, but there’s plenty of action in Europe too. This week we saw a rare tie for top honours in a five-star grand prix, a rider having to improvise with a fast plan B after losing a stirrup in a jump-off, an oversized pony finding the winning formula and the return of Ben Maher’s World Championship star Faltic HB in a nail-biting jump-off.

Here is your weekly round-up of international sporting action from the world of showjumping over the past few days, as well as this week’s showjumping results.

Who needs two stirrups anyway?

In the final CSI5* class at the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) of Rome at the Circus Maximus, Christian Ahlmann and the stallion Solid Gold Z (pictured below) triumphed – despite the rider losing a stirrup en route and having to improvise during his jump-off round. Christian executed a miraculous rollback after his foot slipped out of the stirrup at the third fence from home.

“I had to do one or two extra strides than I planned,” said the German rider, who still bolted home 0.91sec faster than runner-up Malin Baryard-Johnsson of Sweden riding the brilliantly named Harley Davidson in a six-way jump-off. “He is an unbelievable horse, an unbelievable fighter and I’m so pleased everyone can see how special he is.”

Showjumping results from the 1.50m jump-off class at the LGCT Rome

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

A historic dead heat and incredible winning streak for Matt Sampson

Very rarely will a top-level grand prix result in a dead heat, but at the Continental CSI5*/2* tournament at Spruce Meadows, Canada, Ireland’s Paul O’Shea and British rider Matt Sampson shared the spoils after both riders stopped the clock on exactly 38sec in Sunday’s Friends of the Meadows grand prix presented by Rolex (pictured below). A field of 20 combinations representing eight nations tackled Anthony D’Ambrosio’s track with seven making it through to the jump-off. Riding Imerald Van’t Voorhof, Paul set the lightning-quick target for Matt to chase and he and the great mare Ebolensky flew off in hot pursuit, posting the exact same time. This was the first time in Spruce Meadows history that there were two winners of a five-star grand prix.

“We love Spruce Meadows, to be able to jump in the big grass fields before next week [CSIO5* Masters tournament] and have this result builds confidence,” said Matt. Paul added: “This is a big grand prix in itself, I’m very happy to be here and to have this opportunity ahead of next week.”

This win was the icing on the cake for a jubilant Matt, who is enjoying an incredible winning streak, having also claimed victory this week in the 1.45m CSI2* grand prix with Rachel Evison’s Curraghgraigue Obos Flight, a 1.40m on Evora BJX and Thursday’s 1.50m class riding Fabrice DN, with several other placings too. Well done Matt!

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Spruce Meadows Continental tournament showjumping results

The secret to one “quirky” multi-winning horse? A ‘support human’

US showjumper Kristen Vanderveen landed the speed stakes at the Hampton Classic Horse Show on a big-striding horse with “a quirky personality”, Bull Run’s Prince of Peace.

“It’s great to be back at the Hampton Classic,” she said. “My plan was actually to go all-out on my second horse, Faustino, but today it paid off to stay a little conservative. Prince of Peace is also a really fast horse, so I didn’t have to go all-out with him.”

“He’s quite the character,” she said of the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding. “He’s taken me a bit of time to figure out. He’s got a quirky personality, so he’s a little special in the barn. He always likes to have his groom with him; we call it ‘needing his support human.’ But he’s won many classes over the years and been great. He’s done speed classes and grands prix, and it’s nice to have a horse that I can use in both divisions.”

Hampton Classic results

Faltic HB is back!

One of the heroes of Great Britain’s bronze medal-winning squad from last month’s World Showjumping Championships, Ben Maher’s ride Faltic HB, was back in action this week, competing at the LGCT of Rome. Ben and the Oakingham Stud’s stallion blitzed round clear in 43.35sec to finish a very close second to victor Christian Kukuk riding the impressive stallion Mumbai in Saturday’s grand prix. The victorious German rider picked up one of the last remaining golden tickets to this year’s prestigious LGCT Super Grand Prix at the Prague Playoffs in November.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Taking third after a thrilling 12-way jump-off was Marlon Zanotelli riding Like A Diamond Van Het Schaeck, just ahead of world champion Henrik von Eckermann with his potential superstar mare Iliana. The recent LGCT London winner, Pieter Devos and Mom’s Toupie De La Roque finished fifth while another Brit, Jodie Hall McAteer rode another brilliant double clear with Salt’N Peppa (H&H‘s Spotlight star in this week’s magazine, in the shops 8 September) to finish seventh.

“This means everything to me,” said Christian, who is based at the stables of Ludger Beerbaum. “I have put enormous effort into this sport and all the horses, especially Mumbai, over the past 10 years since I started at Ludger’s and I always dream about winning one of these LGCT grands prix.

“I just realised that the breeder of Mumbai is here and it is her birthday – I think the day was just made for us. My groom has always said ‘I want to win one of these grands prix and I want to be in Prague for the Super Grand Prix’ and I said ‘I will try my best’. Today it worked out – it means a lot to us.”

Ben Maher has closed in on leader Christian Ahlmann in the championship standings; now just six points separate the two contenders as they head to the next round in New York this month before the final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October.

LGCT grand prix of Rome results

“Big pony with a big heart” jumps to victory

At the 2022 Hampton Classic Horse Show at Bridgehampton, NY, Amanda Derbyshire triumphed in Friday’s CSI2* grand prix qualifier riding Gochman Sport Horse LLC’s Wonder If (main image above).

“I’ve had ‘Juicy’ since the start of Florida this year,” said Amanda of the 10-year-old British-bred Cevin Z mare, formerly produced by Emma McGlynn. “She’s the most awesome horse. She’s literally a big pony with a really big heart. She’s been nothing but perfect since we got her and is the nicest, friendliest horse. Every time you go into the ring, you know she’s going to try for you, and it’s such a good feeling to have. Even though she’s little and doesn’t have the biggest stride, she makes up for it by being really fast and economical over the jumps. The owner, Becky, was also here to watch today, and it’s just amazing. She’s my biggest supporter, and I will always be grateful to her.”

Sunday’s $410,000 Hampton Classic five-star grand prix was won by Karl Cook with Kalinka Van’t Zorgvliet.

Showjumping results from Hampton Classic

“What a horse”

At the CSI3* Bemer Riders Tour at Lier, Belgium, Great Britain’s Robert Whitaker was in the money, claiming a victory in Friday’s 1.50m grand prix qualifier riding Caroline Blatchford’s 13-year-old Evert after a quality field of 13 jumped off against the clock.

“What a horse,” said Robert, who went on to finish 10th to Frenchman Mathieu Billot (Darling De L’Angevine) in the 1.55m feature class and also finished in the money at the show with Vermento.

Showjumping results from CSI3* Lier

London Knights win GCL of Rome

The duo of Mike Kawai and Sam Hutton helped GCL team London Knights to their first podium of the season at the Rome leg on Saturday (3 September).

“This feeling is actually amazing because I have always wanted to be on top of the podium in the GCL and to win the class feels incredible – we finally did it!” said Mike, who is trained by Jan Tops and rode Goldwin, a former mount of Laura Kraut, in Rome.

Sam, who was riding the London stallion Oak Grove’s Laith at only their second show together, added: “We really stuck together as a team. Abdel Said was there helping us and it was a great feeling. We are going to be fighting for a top-four finish that is for sure. When I walked it I thought it was quite a difficult course, and everyone was jumping it really well early on but I think it was the pressure of the teams that got to everyone.”

Berlin Eagles have now taken the lead in the GCL Championship with just two stages to go.

GCL results from Rome

Auction purchase is proving profitable

Israeli showjumper Daniel Bluman took top honours in the $74,000 Hampton Classic CSI2* grand prix riding Cachemire De Braize.

“Cache has been with us for about three years,” said Daniel of the 10-year-old Selle Français gelding. “He came out of an auction a few years ago, and I’ve been working with him since. He’s got a lot of talent, and he’s definitely fast. He’s had almost 10 international wins. He’s a very good horse, very competitive, and has his own way of going.

“[Course designer] Alan Wade of course did a good job, but we don’t expect anything less from him. It was a difficult track for the two-star level, but Cachemire is a five-star horse. He’s done a lot of four-star grands prix, so he’s really at a level where he has experience and scope to spare. He gave me a really, really nice first round, then was great for the second. I knew I had to lay it out in the second round because I had some fast riders coming, and Karl Cook had already had a good jump-off. I just focused on my plan, and it worked out.”

Hampton Classic results

Ebanking at Adam Botham yard, Chimenys near Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire in the UK on the 25th April 2022 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Botham’s quick-fire treble in Rome

Fresh from success at the London leg of the LGCT, Adam Botham rode Barbara Hester’s Harvey to victory in Friday’s CSI2* two-phase at the LGCT in Rome. Warwickshire-based Adam quickly made it a winning double, jumping Barbara’s great stallion Ebanking (pictured above) to victory in the 1.40m equivalent, then the duo returned the next morning to take the red ribbons for the speed class by an incredible margin of nearly 2sec.

Another British rider who finished in the ribbons in London, Izac Ketteridge, chased home Adam and Harvey in the opening two-phase to finish second riding Z7 Caretina and then followed up with a victory double in both Saturday’s 1.30m speed class and Sunday’s jump-off class riding Carron Nicol’s impressive 11-year-old Galerius.

Ireland’s Shane Breen was another victor in Italy’s capital this week, winning the opening CSI5* two-phase with Z7 Ipswich.

LGCT Rome showjumping results

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

‘It’s been a difficult year – but I’m excited’: meet Egyptian-turned-British showjumper Sameh El Dahan

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 13:02:41 +0000

Showjumper Sameh El Dahan is one of leading names on the international showjumping circuit, who was until recently competing under the flag of his native Egypt.

However, having switched nationalities to ride for Great Britain, he says he is now ready for new adventures, as he tells H&H showjumping editor Jennifer Donald on this week’s episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast.

“I’m excited! It has been a difficult year for me, with lots of things, lots of changes, but it’s a new adventure and I’m happy to have already started competing for Great Britain and I’ve had some very good results under the flag,” he says.

“These are new beginnings for me and the future is bright I hope.”

Sameh, 36, has been based in Co. Antrim in Northern Ireland with showjumper Joanne Sloan-Allen for well over a decade, but grew up and learnt to ride in Cairo.

“My family tells the story that I fell in love with horses – I just love all animals by nature,” says Sameh, who was five when he first sat on a horse. “So I think that’s one of the reasons I chose to do showjumping, rather than what I studied, which is medicine.

“I was lucky as a young kid because the trainer I started with was a military general and it was four years of working on your position, flatwork, your heels and toes, your body, your neck, your head, your hands, looking where you’re going. But I think this was the platform for where I am today.”

Sameh also took time to reflect on one of his greatest successes, winning the grand prix at Spruce Meadows in 2018, part of the Rolex Grand Slam of showjumping, with the wonderful chestnut mare Suma’s Zorro.

“It’s an amazing venue to jump at – you watch Spruce as a young rider and say ‘I would just love to jump there’; winning that grand prix is on every rider’s checklist,” he says. “When it happened for me, I don’t know if there are words to describe the feeling. My heart was pounding and my whole body was shivering when I finished that last jump and looked up at the screen.

“Zorro fought for me for three rounds. So when I saw I was in first place, I don’t think I’ve ever felt happier.”

Hear more from Sameh El Dahan as he talks about the horses he’s most excited about riding next year and when he hopes to be eligible for British showjumping teams in episode 80 of The Horse & Hound Podcast — listen here or search “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your favourite podcast app.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

How a strange premonition led to a $1million victory

“I woke up this morning with a strange feeling that you need to compete at Spruce Meadows and that you

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

‘She jumped a five-bar gate when she was six months old’ — meet the Irish-bred mare who won the ‘world’s toughest grand prix’

‘Fourteen years ago a little chestnut filly was born who believed nothing was impossible and luckily three months later fate

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Four Brits, five Olympic champions, the world number one and a 66-year-old legend: meet the €1.25m Super Grand Prix riders

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After a 60-year wait, Egyptian riders are off to the Olympics

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‘Nobody would have put a penny on us winning a grand prix’ – Steve Guerdat reveals the secret to Spruce Meadows victory

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 20:00:52 +0000

Just a week after claiming team gold at the European Showjumping Championships, Swiss sensation Steve Guerdat is now bidding for glory in the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping after winning the world-famous 1.70m CP International at Spruce Meadows, Canada, on Sunday, 12 September.

The 2012 Olympic champion described jumping the only double clear on the 12-year-old Venard De Cerisy to lift the coveted silverware as “one of the best days of my career”.

“I’ve walked past the winners’ wall at Calgary 100 times and thought, ‘I’m not going to quit riding until my name is on there’,” revealed Steve after winning the historic sporting event, landed in the past by the likes of Eric Lamaze and Hickstead, John Whitaker with Milton and Ian Millar on Big Ben.

“Venard jumped here two years ago and always feels great in this arena. He felt amazing from day one and gave me an unbelievable feeling in every round. So I didn’t really mind what the course would be – if I rode well, Venard was going to be on my side and that’s exactly what happened. We had a good first round, a much better second round and the way he was feeling he could have gone for a third. So I’m so proud of him today. It’s a big reward for him and his owners.”

The CP International presented by Rolex is an illustrious addition to the pair’s list of five-star successes, but they endured a rocky start to their jumping career after Steve Guerdat bought the French-bred gelding as a seven-year-old.

“If you’d seen our first two years together, nobody would have put a penny on us winning a grand prix like this,” said Steve. “I couldn’t make him jump well at home and things only got better when I started training him over the Derby fences I have. He loved that and it’s changed him completely – he’s more happy to jump, easier to ride and at home, I rarely jump him other than those natural fences. He’s been unbelievable these past three years and he’s won a number of five-star grands prix. He’s given me so much, which is why I’m so happy for him to go in the history books today.”

Since failing to make the individual final of the Tokyo Olympics with just one fence down in the qualifier and going on to help the team finish fifth, Steve has targeted the “strong, powerful and brave” gelding for Calgary.

“The only way to make up for Tokyo was to win this class,” revealed Steve, who also admitted to suffering from terrible nerves, despite his ice cool exterior.

“I’m nervous even jumping a 1.45m class at a two-star show, so you can imagine how nervous I am jumping here!” he said.

US riders Kent Farrington (Gazelle), whose only fault came at the water in round one, and 2009 winner McLain Ward on Kasper Van Het Hellehof took second and third respectively in the CP International.

British contender and two-time victor in Spruce Meadows, Scott Brash, finished sixth on Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham’s Hello Vincent, picking up four faults in each of his two beautifully executed rounds.

Steve Guerdat has been committed to winning the Rolex Grand Slam since its inception in 2013 – the only rider to compete in each of the Majors during this time – and the next leg takes place in Aachen this week.

“I’ve been lucky enough to win Geneva a couple of times, but Calgary and Aachen have been missing; I’ve won one now and I’m going to be able to aim for the second one very soon,” he said. “This is what drives us as riders.”

Long-jumping water dogs and beautiful tributes: eight things you’ll only find at Spruce Meadows

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 11:24:08 +0000

Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada, showcases some of the best in equestrian sport, with the world’s richest grand prix prize.

But as well as superstar riders and horses, and top showjumping action, there are some things you’ll see nowhere else..

1. This enormous vertical, marking the record set in the Atco Electric six-bar in 2004 of 2.12m cleared by Ireland’s Jessica Kurten on Castle Forbes Libertina

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

2. This beautiful sculpture in tribute to Eric Lamaze’s superstar ride Hickstead. Love always

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3. Just a dog, doing the long jump into a swimming pool. No biggie

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4. Signs apparently pointing to European countries

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5. …and if you follow the sign to Holland, you’ll find giant clogs, in which you can stand to have your picture taken. Amazing

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6. Glad to hear it!

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7. A signpost giving the distances to the other grands prix associated with the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

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8. And finally, you won’t just see these sockets at Spruce Meadows but we couldn’t resist — what are they so worried about?

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Don’t miss the full report from the 2019 Spruce Meadows Masters in this week’s edition of Horse & Hound magazine, out 12 September.

Eric Lamaze’s groom on comebacks, tricky horses, stress and the Olympics

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 11:24:15 +0000

Olympic gold medallist Eric Lamaze returned to his native Canada last week for the prestigious Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary, where his groom Kaytlyn Brown (pictured) gave an exclusive insight into life on the road with one of the greatest showjumpers in the world.

Eric, who has been undergoing treatment for a brain tumour, took some time out from the sport after last year’s CSIO Spruce Meadows Masters but returned to competition earlier this year.

“My absolute highlight was to see Eric back in the ring — it’s unbelievable what he can do,” says Kaytlyn. “It wasn’t just a highlight for me, it was the highlight for all of the team. It was very difficult for all of us when he stopped showing. After everything that happened, to come to Spruce Meadows for the Summer Series and win two five-star classes back to back, we couldn’t have asked for any more than that.”

At last week’s show, Kaytlyn was looking after three of Eric’s horses, 14-year-old Coco Bongo; his dual-winner at the show, Chacco Kid, and the 16-year-old mare Fine Lady 5, with whom Eric finished fifth in the renowned CP International grand prix — the sport’s richest class.

“All three horses have very different personalities,” says Kaytlyn.

“Coco Bongo is very easy going and nothing seems to bother him. He’s very simple to take care of and has very low stress levels — I’d say he’s pretty cool. You can literally do anything with him – he’s so easy to have around all the time.

“Chacco Kid is the sweetest thing I’ve ever met — I’ve never met a horse that understands humans like he does. He always wants someone’s attention and he always has something in his mouth — he will literally try to eat anything. When Eric is around his stress levels go up and he gets quite anxious because he always wants to please, and he knows that Eric expects a lot of him.”

Of Fine Lady 5, Kaytlyn says she is “the most complicated out of the three”.

“She’s the only mare that we have,” says Kaytlyn. “She’s very sensitive and is bothered by everything, particularly music and anything loud — it drives her crazy. If it’s loud and she’s in the horse box, she’ll dig and roll around and generally cause a huge scene. She’s my absolute favourite, though and we’ll never have another one like her — she’s so willing to please all the time. When I look at her, I know I’ll never have another relationship with a horse quite like this one, she’s unbelievable.”

As every international showjumping groom will know, a huge part of the job is spent travelling the global circuit.

“We’re only in Canada for five weeks of the year during the Summer Series,” explains Kaytlyn. “We’re then in Florida, USA, from December through April, and the rest of the time we’re in Europe. It’s more exciting to be in Europe, as you’re at a new place every week, and every European location is always beautiful.”

Pressure comes at every show, but none more so than a Rolex Grand Slam Major on home soil.

“The week before the show starts, the stress levels at home are high,” says Kaytlyn. “We’re doing absolutely everything we can to prepare to come here, as we know it’s a long hard week for Eric and the horses. The horses came from Europe, so they had to endure a long flight, and our aim is for them to be the best that they can be and on top form, as soon as they arrive here. For sure, it’s stressful – coming here for the Masters isn’t the same as coming here for the Summer Series, as there’s a clear end goal at the end of this week.”

Article continued below…

(Image credit: Tara Hamilton Photography)

How high would you dare to jump without a saddle or bridle?

Holly Coetzee is certainly a showjumper with a difference...

(Image credit: Tara Hamilton Photography)

In the Lamaze stables, preparations are already beginning for greatest event of all, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“We’re still a while away and it’s a long process, but we’re starting to discuss which of the horses we believe have the potential to perform at the Games, and which types of classes we need them to jump to ensure they’re ready,” says Kaytlyn. “We need to consider what time of the day we need to jump them, and if they need to jump more night classes, and we also must factor in the weather, as Tokyo could be very hot.”

Don’t miss the full report from the Spruce Meadows Masters in this week’s Horse & Hound, out Thursday 12 September.

‘It feels amazing’: top rider wins prestigious grand prix again 14 years on

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 11:25:10 +0000

Top US rider Beezie Madden said it felt “amazing” to win the CP “international” grand prix presented by Rolex at Spruce Meadows – 14 years since her name was last engraved on the trophy.

Beezie rode the distinctive chestnut stallion Darry Lou to a stylish clear in the first round yesterday (8 September). The combination were one of only eight to answer all course-designers Leopoldo Palacios and Peter Grant’s tough questions – then clocked up a single time fault in the second round.

This was enough to win the tough class, with Australian rider Rowan Willis on Blue Movie finishing second on four faults and Austria’s Max Kuhner on Chardonnay 79 in third on five.

“It feels amazing,” said Beezie, who had already notched up one win this week on Darry Lou, in the Tourmaline Oil Cup on Friday (6 September).

“It’s an honour to be here and any win is fantastic – but this one is pretty special; the second round was a real bear.”

Beezie said she had asked, when walking the course, whether the designers had even planned a jump-off.

“They said we might be jumping off on eight faults, that filled me with confidence!” she said.

“When you walk this course, it always looks so difficult; Leopold is brave but he knows what he’s doing and I thought it made for an amazing event.”

Beezie described the 11-year-old stallion as a “pleasure to ride”.

“If anything goes wrong, it’s my fault as he does exactly what I tell him,” she added.

The win makes Beezie the “live contender” for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping; should she win the grand prix in Geneva in December, she will bank a €500,000 bonus, with €1m on offer should she win three of the associated grands prix in a row, as Scott Brash did in 2015.

Rowan said his 13-year-old mare, who was bred in Britain by Sue Welch out of Nick Skelton’s former top ride Showtime, was “fantastic”.

“The rail was my fault; I was really happy with her,” he said.

Continues below…

‘I dedicate my life to this’: top rider aims for sport’s richest prize

The Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping offers €1m to any rider who wins three of the associated grands prix in

Beezie Madden still leads World Cup jumping final; Whitakers progress to Sunday’s last leg

The US rider repeats her first place from yesterday tonight in Paris, while Michael and Robert Whitaker both make the

“She managed to jump the last difficult line – I couldn’t have asked any more of her.”

And while Max said of the course that he “wouldn’t built that at home, but ok!”, he added that he was very pleased with his 12-year-old stallion, who was jumping at Spruce Meadows for the first time, and had won Atco Electric six bar on Friday.

“I’m pretty impressed with him – and this is a fantastic venue,” he said.

Don’t miss this week’s Horse & Hound magazine for a full report from the Spruce Meadows Masters, out 12 September.

How a strange premonition led to a $1million victory

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 16:25:23 +0000

“I woke up this morning with a strange feeling that you need to compete at Spruce Meadows and that you are going to win…” so said Irish horsewoman Joanne Sloan Allen one summer morning over a cup of coffee.

She was talking to Egyptian rider Sameh El Dahan, who rides her brilliant little chestnut mare Suma’s Zorro, and this premonition was to set them on a path to winning the world’s richest grand prix, the CP International at Spruce Meadows in Canada.

Joanne and Sameh had originally decided to focus on the World Equestrian Games (WEG) at Tryon, USA, this year so the $3million competition at the start of September hadn’t been in their calendar — but the wheels were soon put in motion.

“My first reaction was that it would be very difficult logistically to make this happen and that it wouldn’t be possible,” said Sameh. “However, Joanne was adamant that Zorro and I were going to win in Spruce and that she would support me all the way, so of course I couldn’t say no!

“I am always positive and hope that I will get a good result when I am competing, but it did feel a little far fetched at the time that we would win one of the biggest Rolex Majors. But I thought to myself, we will go and we will give it our best shot.

“My horse is incredible, my support team is amazing, so I knew that if everything went perfectly on the day I would be in with a chance, and luckily for us everything went according to plan.”

The premonition ended up netting them a cool $1million as Sameh and Zorro soared to victory in the feature class, one of the toughest showjumping competitions in the world. Victory means the Egyptian rider is now the live contender in the Rolex Grand Slam, with the next leg taking place in Geneva in December.

“Winning was the most fantastic feeling, I have been working towards this my whole life, since I was a little kid,” said Sameh, who studied medicine at university before deciding to pursue a career in equestrian sport.

Continued below…

CALGARY, AB - SEPTEMBER 9: Sameh El Dahan of Egypt riding Suma's Zorro winds in the individual jumping equestrian on the final day of the Masters tournament at Spruce Meadows on September 9, 2018 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Sameh placed first with a jump-off time of 42.210 seconds and 0 faults. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) (Image credit: Future)

‘She jumped a five-bar gate when she was six months old’ — meet the Irish-bred mare who won the ‘world’s toughest grand prix’

‘Fourteen years ago a little chestnut filly was born who believed nothing was impossible and luckily three months later fate

(Image credit: Future)

“This grand prix [the CP International presented by Rolex] is one of the biggest on the circuit and it’s one that all riders want to win. To have my name on the board alongside the world’s most legendary riders like Eric Lamaze, Nick Skelton and the Whitakers is just a dream come true.

“I always feel that everything happens for a reason, and for whatever reason Joanne had this strange feeling, she was quite right!”

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos make history VIDEO

Hannah Lemieux — Sun, 13 Sep 2015 23:40:47 +0000

World number one Scott Brash went to Spruce Meadows in Canada with one goal in mind, to make showjumping history by becoming the first person to win the Rolex Grand Slam today (Sunday, 13 September). The packed grandstands watched with euphoria as he did exactly that.

Riding the popular Hello Sanctos, the ultra cool-headed Scottish rider produced a flawless performance in the the CP International grand prix, the third and final leg of the grand slam, to collect the whooping €1.3million (£950,000) total prize fund – which included the €1million grand slam bonus. Following his wins in Geneva and Aachen, Scott just needed to take part today in order to collect €500,000 (£370,000).

Scott rode the solo clear in the final round to take the honours, fending off Belgium’s Pieter Devos and Dylano who came agonisingly close and picked up just one time fault to leave him in runner-up spot. Brazil’s Pedro Veniss continued what has been a successful show for his home country, after yesterday’s Nations Cup triumph, by occupying the third podium position.

“When you target something for so long and then come here and achieve that dream, it’s incredible,” said Scott. “It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’ve had more media attention than ever before.

“Words cannot describe this feeling, I’m so lucky to be working with a horse like Sanctos, he felt like he could do another round today. To win at Geneva, Aachen and then here on three different horses would be an achievement but to do it on the same horse is incredible,” he added of the 13-year-old son of Quasimodo who is owned by Lord and Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham.

Course-designer Venezuelan Leopoldo Palacios presented the riders with two tough but well-built tracks. The first round included a rarely seen treble of uprights following the water jump which saw 24 combinations fault in total, including both Michael Whitaker (Cassionato) and nephew William (Fandango).

The top 12, which included 10 clear rounds and two one-time faulters, went into the second round. Scott produced the fastest first-round clear which meant he was last to go in the final round. His solo clear resulted in no jump-off.

Scott Brash warms up for big day with a win at Spruce Meadows

Hannah Lemieux — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 22:54:35 +0000

Scott Brash, who tomorrow will bid to make showjumping history, warmed-up perfectly for the big day by topping the Suncor Energy Cup on Hello Forever today at Spruce Meadows (12 September).

Hello Sanctos’ stablemate, the nine-year-old Forever who is also owned by Lord and Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham, pulled out all the stops for the world number one rider. The pair set an unbeatable time of 40.73 seconds in the second round to take home the €41,580 (£30,500) prize fund.

“He’s been a little inconsistent this year and in the past has been afraid of the big grass arenas,” said Scott of the relatively inexperienced son of For Pleasure. “He’s always preferred smaller sand arenas, so I wanted to bring him here to get him used to the grass – he’s going to be a really good horse for me in the future.”

The Brits made it a one-two in this class with Guy Williams finishing runner-up behind Scott on his double Hickstead Speed Derby victor Casper De Muze.

All eyes will be on Scott and 13-year-old Sanctos tomorrow (13 September) as they attempt a feat yet to be done by any showjumper. The pair will be hoping to claim the Rolex Grand Slam and collect the €1million (£720,000) bonus.

“It’s been busy with all the media, but the amount of people who have messaged me to say good luck has been amazing,” said Scott ahead of his performance on Sunday. “I was keen to get Sanctos in the ring earlier in the week, as he can be spooky, and it was nice to get a double clear with him.

“There is a small percentage chance of anyone winning the grand slam so it would be a great achievement. I’ll stay calm on the day, walk the course early and take Sanctos out for a hack in the morning to make sure he feels okay and warm his muscles up,” he added.

28 things you need to know about Spruce Meadows

Hannah Lemieux — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 14:00:55 +0000

To celebrate Spruce Meadows’ 40th birthday, here’s what you need to know about the impressive Canadian venue:

Spruce Meadows is recognised as one of the most versatile event locations in the world and is located south of Calgary
It is owned by the Southern family, who purchased the plot in 1971
The venue’s official opening took place on 13 April 1975
Jumping at the venue ranges from amateur and youth shows to the international $1million grand prix taking place this Sunday (13 September) — where Scott Brash hopes to become the first rider to take the showjumping Rolex Grand Slam with Hello Sanctos.
Approx 500,000 spectators now visit Spruce Meadows each year
Prize-money now totals $2.34million a year
Approx 400 journalist report from Spruce Meadows
There are seven arenas and two indoor arenas in site
The grounds amount to 553 acres
Up to 1,000 horses can be stabled on site
In 1979 the annual attendance reached 50,000 for the first time
Spruce Meadows first awarded $1million in annual prize-money in 1987
The Queen visited Spruce Meadows on 29 June 1990 and a collection of horse bronzes were commissioned to commemorate her visit.
Nick Skelton and John Whitaker both won the du Maurier International twice
Spruce Meadows hosted the inaugural Nations Cup series final in 1997
Michael Whitaker surpassed his $1million mark in lifetime earnings at Spruce Meadows
In 2000, the first million dollar grand prix in the world was held during the Masters Tournament.
The venue had showjumps from the Beijing Olympics
There has been a five-star show since 1976
Shows take place between June and September
Spruce Meadows is open 365 days of the year
During the winter the Spruce Meadows pond is turned into an ice skating rink
At last year’s Masters Tournament visitors turned up to a foot of snow, by the end of the week the sun was shining
There is a Spruce Meadows tack shop selling their own branded products
Couples can hold their wedding at Spruce Meadows
The venue hosts 300 events a year including exhibitions
Spruce Meadows has a team of riders based in the on-site stables, headed by Albert Kley
There are two Hannoverian stallions kept at the venue — Le Primeur & Count Grannus

Scott Brash bids to make history at Spruce Meadows VIDEO

Amy Mathieson — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 14:00:11 +0000

World number one showjumper Scott Brash will be hoping to pick up a €1million (£720,000) bonus on Sunday (13 September) in the final leg of the Rolex Grand Slam at Spruce Meadows — something that has never been done before.

Riding his Olympic gold medal-winning partner Hello Sanctos, owned by Lord and Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham, the top showjumper triumphed in the world famous Aachen grand prix earlier this year.

This victory came on the back of his win at the CHI in Geneva in December which means he can claim a €500,000 (£360,000) bonus for winning two legs in succession simply by taking part in the third and final event in Calgary this weekend.

There was controversy earlier this summer when Scott made the horse unavailable for team selection at the European Championships in Aachen, due to the Rolex Grand Slam.

Scott told H&H it was “not in the horse’s interest” to put him forward for selection.

“Hello Sanctos has now competed in three championships and, unfortunately for everyone, is not getting any younger,” he said.

“Spruce Meadows comes just a short time after the Europeans and it would not be fair on the horse to compete in both competitions.

“The media coverage which this will generate will be in the best interest of British sport.”

Spruce Meadows’ Ian Allison said the venue is both “excited and honoured” to welcome the world’s best riders.

“This 40th anniversary edition of the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ has an extraordinary number of wonderful story lines, but none more so than that of Scott Brash,” he added.

“There is a reason why Scott is currently the number one ranked rider in the world and in play to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping. He is truly a complete horseman and dedicated athlete, who has put together an impressive résumé very quickly.

“The entire sport should be excited about this historic time. Scott and Hello Sanctos have the opportunity to achieve something that has never been done in our sport.

H&H’s showjumping editor Hannah Lemieux will be travelling to Canada to watch Scott Brash attempt to make history. For full report don’t miss 17 September issue of H&H magazine.

Hello Sanctos’ journey to Spruce Meadows PICTURES

Hannah Lemieux — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 18:31:14 +0000

It is early morning and still dark at Liège airport in Belgium — one of the biggest cargo airports in Europe — and Hello Sanctos is about to begin his trip to Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada in a bid to make history under Scott Brash and win the showjumping Rolex Grand Slam.

The cargo parking lot at Liège airport is buzzing with action and it is only 4.30am. The sound of horsebox engines, grooms armed with horse passports, water canisters, haynets, horses neighing plus the occasional snort and kick. It’s all systems go as 67 horses, including the mighty Santos, from eight nations begin the loading process into the awaiting Boeing 747.

Jon Garner (pictured below, right), the director of Spruce Meadows, has travelled from Calgary to assist with the transportation of these special horses. “At the moment, it all seems to be total chaos. But once we have started loading, everything will run like clockwork,” he says.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Sanctos, of course, is a total professional and shows no concern over the commotion going on outside his horsebox. He is one of the last to arrive at the airport and chomps happily on his haynet, looking out of his side window.

Before the horses can be loaded into each of the 26 cargo boxes, all the equipment needs to be stowed away, the sniffer dogs examine the palettes and paperwork needs to be checked.

Sanctos will share a cargo box with his stablemate Hello Forever, who Scott will also be competing. Usually three horses travel in each cargo box, but Sanctos and Forever are lucky to have a box to themselves — the equine Business Class you could say.

“It depends on the owner’s booking and how well the horses get on with each other. We basically try to transport horses from the same stable together, because they already know each other,” says Jon, who has a detailed loading plan. “But, of course, we can’t put a stallion next to a mare and in the case of two stallions, we usually leave the middle compartment free.”

Hannah Colman, who is looking after both of Scott’s horses, unloads Sanctos from the horsebox at 11am. It takes just half an hour to load him into the plane, where he is tied in the compartment next to Forever (pictured below). There is a side door that allows the grooms to give feed and water during the flight.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“I am delighted that I am allowed to fly with them. Sanctos actually doesn’t mind travelling, whether by truck or by plane. But it puts my mind at rest if I can be close to him the whole time,” says Hannah.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Scott will fly to Calgary two days after the horses and Hannah (pictured with Sanctos below) will prepare and keep an eye on Sanctos until Scott’s arrival. “We are a bit nervous, because Scott and Sanctos have to qualify for the grand prix first. But Sanctos is in good shape,” she adds.

The cargos with the horses safely inside are placed into the aeroplane using a hydraulic lift (pictured below). It is 12noon when Jon closes the gate on the 26th and final cargo.

Final checks are made — the horses are all looked over again and equipment checked — before just three grooms, plus Jon, his colleague from Spruce Meadows and a vet are ready for take off two hours later at 2pm. Hello Sanctos is on his way.

Canadian legend wins showjumping’s richest prize

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 22:38:58 +0000

Canadian legend Ian Millar, 67, landed the $1.5m CP International Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows on Sunday (14 September). This victory on home soil now makes him a contender for the 1m euro bonus in the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping.

Riding the 11-year-old Dixson in a two-way jump-off, Ian found a 2sec advantage over a counterpart 47 years his junior in Reed Kessler of USA riding Cylana.

“Dixson kept getting better with each round — I had all the horse I needed, as well as the advantage of following after Miss Kessler,” he said.

Switzerland’s Marie Etter finished third with four faults in round two and WEG dual-bronze medallist Beezie Madden took fourth on Simon. Britain’s Robert Whitaker (Catwalk IV) and Ireland’s Shane Breen both made the final 12, just succumbing to the fierce tracks of Leopoldo Palacios in the second round.

Don’t miss the full report from the Spruce Meadows Masters in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (out 18 September).

H&H’s equestrian week on Twitter

Gemma Redrup — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 15:45:04 +0000

Enjoy the H&H team’s top tweets from the equestrian twitterverse this week.

The week on twitter

Obviously this is not actually the real Burghley Leaf Pit, although the similarities are uncanny

Fog everywhere at Burghley this morning. The leaf pit looking as formidable as ever… pic.twitter.com/XJjrRo9SSDFog everywhere at Burghley this morning. The leaf pit looking as formidable as ever… pic.twitter.com/XJjrRo9SSD— GJM Eventing (@GJMEventing) September 6, 2014— GJM Eventing (@GJMEventing) September 6, 2014

Sticking with the Burghley theme, one of Ben Hobday’s connections gives an accurate description of the lorry park on the morning of cross-country day

Quiet lorry park this morning, smell of malborough lights in the air- can only mean one thing #crosscountrydayQuiet lorry park this morning, smell of malborough lights in the air- can only mean one thing #crosscountryday— Georgie Starkey (@GeorgieStarkey) September 6, 2014— Georgie Starkey (@GeorgieStarkey) September 6, 2014

Donald McCain passes on his congratulations for the arrival Lauren and Jason Maguire’s new bundle of joy

Huge congratulations to @roodollbree and @Jasonmu96849059 on the birth of they're baby girl this morning! Will have to change the work list!Huge congratulations to @roodollbree and @Jasonmu96849059 on the birth of they're baby girl this morning! Will have to change the work list!— Donald McCain (@donaldmccain) September 10, 2014— Donald McCain (@donaldmccain) September 10, 2014

We’re not sure this is quite the reception riders to the Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary were hoping for. Anyone for snowjumping?

Snow stops play on the first day of the Spruce Meadows Masters in Canada! #snowballfight pic.twitter.com/khEhJfM0OWSnow stops play on the first day of the Spruce Meadows Masters in Canada! #snowballfight pic.twitter.com/khEhJfM0OW— Horse & Hound (@horseandhound) September 10, 2014— Horse & Hound (@horseandhound) September 10, 2014

Some rather novel ‘judges boxes’ were on show at Blenheim Horse Trials

#eventing dressage judges @BlenheimHorse need current HGV license and SatNav #BPIHT pic.twitter.com/MzfvnnhlqM #eventing dressage judges @BlenheimHorse need current HGV license and SatNav #BPIHT pic.twitter.com/MzfvnnhlqM— An Eventful Life (@eventfulifebook) September 11, 2014— An Eventful Life (@eventfulifebook) September 11, 2014

Talk about being patriotic…

#nicholsonontwitter is so proud to come from NZ, he has the flag coming out of his hat. pic.twitter.com/X9xRGMK4Ap #nicholsonontwitter is so proud to come from NZ, he has the flag coming out of his hat. pic.twitter.com/X9xRGMK4Ap— Eventing NZ (@NZEventing) September 11, 2014— Eventing NZ (@NZEventing) September 11, 2014

We like the special touch the stabling team at Blenheim Horse Trials have added to the polos in the riders’ welcome pack

Yey! We have wifi!!Lovely touch from stable team,even ponies get treats! @BlenheimHorse thanks @zanie2009 pic.twitter.com/gAvTdMe8c1Yey! We have wifi!!Lovely touch from stable team,even ponies get treats! @BlenheimHorse thanks @zanie2009 pic.twitter.com/gAvTdMe8c1— Nicky Roncoroni (@nbreventing) September 10, 2014— Nicky Roncoroni (@nbreventing) September 10, 2014

Cricket extraordinaire Jonathan Agnew has his sights set on individual dressage gold in six years…

Survived my first lesson. Think @CSJDujardin will be safe for Rio 2016…but Tokyo 2020? @TeamGBR #mysport pic.twitter.com/2H8DnXgtxySurvived my first lesson. Think @CSJDujardin will be safe for Rio 2016…but Tokyo 2020? @TeamGBR #mysport pic.twitter.com/2H8DnXgtxy— Jonathan Agnew (@Aggerscricket) September 8, 2014— Jonathan Agnew (@Aggerscricket) September 8, 2014

If you like this, why not follow @horseandhound on twitter today?

Heavy snowfall forces Spruce Meadows to reschedule

Sophia Heath — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 10:12:10 +0000

Spruce Meadows has been forced to battle with more than 25cm of snow (pictured above and below) to get the annual Masters competition underway.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The Canadian venue (pictured left as it normally looks) was forced to cancel Wednesday’s competition (10 September) after the downfall caused power cuts and damaged numerous trees at the site

“It wasn’t about conditions for the sport,” said Spruce Meadows’ senior vice-president Ian Allison.

“There was no electricity — we couldn’t

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

conduct commerce, there’s no bathrooms or phones and no emergency response capacity.

“We’ve never had to reschedule a day.”

More than 150 staff worked to clear the snow and fallen branches to allow the show to kick-off on Thursday (11 September).

Temperatures were set to climb and Mr Allison was confident that the competition can now get back on track.

H&H’s reporter Jennifer Donald reporting from Calgary (Image credit: creditUnknown)

$1m win for Devos in Spruce Meadows Masters

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 16:27:49 +0000

The $1,000,000 CN International at the Spruce Meadows Masters was won by 27-year-old Belgian rider Pieter Devos with Candy. He produced the only double clear of the competition to collect the $335,000 first prize.

“To win here is unbelievable,” said Pieter, who finished ahead of the Olympic champion Steve Guerdat (Nasa) and France’s Penelope Leprevost (Nayana) in third.

“It’s my first time here in Spruce Meadows but it’s a hell of an experience — you don’t get a feeling like this anywhere else.”

This victory means Pieter Devos can now bid for the €1million Rolex Grand Slam bonus if he goes on to win the grands prix at Geneva and Aachen.

Ben Maher was best of the Brits in the CN International, finishing 7th on his team European gold medal-winning ride Cella.

Don’t miss the full report from the Spruce Meadows Masters in the 12 September issue of Horse & Hound.

Nick Skelton’s Grand Slam hopes dashed

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 08:36:06 +0000

Nick Skelton’s bid to win the Rolex Grand Slam came to an end this week when Big Star was discovered to have thrown a small splint.

The British number one showjumper was on the road to a €1million bonus after winning the Aachen grand prix in June. But, with Big Star now out of action, he will be unable to contest the second leg of the Grand Slam in Spruce Meadows, Canada, next week (4-8 September).

The bonus is to be awarded to any rider who wins the grands prix at Aachen, Spruce Meadows and Geneva consecutively. However, Nick could still claim a €250,000 bonus available to any rider who claims 2 non-consecutive wins out of 3.

It is not currently known how long Gary and Beverley Widdowson’s stallion will be out of action.

Tina Fletcher injures ankle in fall from Hello Sailor

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 15:05:51 +0000

Tina Fletcher has suffered a serious ankle injury in a fall from Hello Sailor in Spruce Meadows, Canada.

The Olympic team reserve rider was jumping in the second round of the $1m CN International grand prix on Sunday (9 September) when the accident happened. The gelding crashed through the second element of a double of oxers, throwing Tina to the ground.

Her leg caught in the reins and she was dragged for several strides.

Initial tests in Canada indicated that the ankle wasn’t broken, but the Oxfordshire-based rider has suffered severe ligament damage and one of Hello Sailor’s studs penetrated her Achilles tendon.

“She’s in considerable pain,” said her husband Graham, who was due to fly back to the UK with Tina today (Tuesday 11 September).

“She’s going to have surgery when we get back so we’ll know more then.”

Canadian success in Spruce Meadows Masters

Horse & Hound — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:06:18 +0000

Canada’s Eric Lamaze brought the 2007 Spruce Meadows Masters to a thrilling climax when his 11-year old stallion Hickstead jumped the only double clear to take the CA$325,000 (£153,250) prize in the CN International Grand Prix.

Twelve partnerships — including British contenders Nick Skelton (Arko III) and Tim Stockdale (Fresh Direct Corlato) — were clear in the first round. Unfortunately one refusal and a time fault in the second round left Nick in sixth place.

Tim Stockdale (pictured) was “thrilled” with fifth place on Fresh Direct Corlato, who picked up four faults. John Whitaker and Peppermill faulted at the infamous bicycle jump in round one, while Ellen Whitaker had two mistakes on Locarno.

For the second year running, the BMO Nations Cup went to a jump-off. Germany came out on top, leaving the Netherlands second.

It all went wrong for Britain, who slumped into last place. Having had two fences down in the first round, Michael Whitaker suffered a heavy fall from Insultech Mozart Des Hayettes.

Tim Stockdale improved on his first-round score of 16 with Fresh Direct Animation and had just two down, but Ellen Whitaker, who had been clear on Locarno 62, collected eight faults in round two.

Although Britain could not improve her position, John Whitaker — who had one mistake on Peppermill in the first round — had to jump again in order to qualify for the prize-money. He produced a masterly clear round.

British team manager Derek Ricketts said: “Although we’re disappointed with the result because our horses have been going well, all that really matters is that Michael is OK.”

Read this report in full, including details of how the British quartet got on in other classes at the show, in this Thursday’s Horse & Hound (20 September, ’07)

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Scott Brash: eight years on since he made showjumping history – and which horse he nearly picked over Hello Sanctos

Remembering that Sunday morning at Spruce Meadows in 2015, Scott says he arrived at the showground early to check out the course with no one else around, before riding Hello Sanctos in preparation for the grand prix that afternoon.

“I remember working him in and just knowing that he felt really good. I think he was probably the fittest I’ve ever had him in his life,” explains Scott.

And what does the atmosphere feel like when someone is on the cusp of winning the sport’s richest prize?

“There was certainly something different about the atmosphere; I remember all the riders standing at gate while I was entering. Although I was very focused, you could see it and sense it,” says Scott.

“When I rode in, you could hear a pin drop. I don’t think there was much difference in the way my fellow competitors acted, but perhaps it was just a matter of respect such as providing me with more space in the warm-up – no one wanted to be in the way, which was appreciated.”

Scott and Hello Sanctos were the only combination to jump clear in the final round that day and Scott remembers feeling “all sorts of emotions”.

“One certainly was relief,” he explains. “However in a weird sense, one was sadness. My team and I had worked towards the goal of achieving the Rolex Grand Slam for such an extensive period, for it to suddenly be completed, it was emotional.

“But on top of this, I definitely felt excitement, jubilation, joy, excitement – my owners were there as well, my father, my family. It was amazing to have them there to share this great achievement with.

But enjoying such highs can also be followed by lows – and added pressure explains Scott.

“After winning team gold at the London 2012 Olympics, and after completing the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, I remember feeling a little low period, questioning what was next – but I think that’s very normal,” he says.

The talent of London 2012 team gold medal-winning Hello Sanctos was unquestionable, but Scott reveals the Quasimodo Van De Molendreef would not have been the first pick for Spruce Meadows that year.

“When I won at CHI Geneva, I had two top horses, Hello Sanctos and Ursula XII. Ursula is made for the likes of Spruce Meadows and Aachen, and if she had been fit, I would have taken her to Spruce Meadows. So, it left me in the position of taking Hello Sanctos or not attending.”

When it comes to personalities, Scott says it was how clever Hello Sanctos was that “set him apart”, and Scott places huge importance on getting to know horses as individuals.

And when it comes to stars of the future, Scott has his eye on a few.

“We are breeding from Ursula XII and a couple of our best mares at the moment, and we have been bringing some mares down to my yard in England from my family in Scotland, to break them in,” he says.

Scott to this day remains the sole winner of the Grand Slam title – so can it be won again?

“It can definitely be won again – anything is possible, but everything has to go right on the day. In our sport we are working with a living animal, and sometimes things can go wrong that can be out of our control,” he explains.

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