CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament

The CSIO Spruce Meadows' 'Masters' Tournament is an annual fall equestrian show jumping event held in Calgary, Alberta. [ [http://www.sprucemeadows.com/masters.htm Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament ] ] It is highlighted by the BMO Financial Group Nations’ Cup which offers a C$350,000 purse and is notable as "richest team show jumping event in the world" and also by the C$1,000,000 CN International. [ [http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=1426 Hunter Jumper News » Blog Archive » Jump Canada Announces Nations’ Cup Team for Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ ] ] . Total purse amounts for the Spruce Meadows 'Masters' amount to over $2 million making it one of the richest show jumping events in the world. [http://www.sprucemeadows.com/masters.htm (6:00pm 25 October 2007)]

Historically, Great Britain currently holds more Nation's Cup titles at Spruce Meadows than any other nation with ten victories out of the past twenty-nine. The 2006 victory by Canada marks the first time the home team has won a nation's cup at the Masters Tournament. In 2007 Germany won the Nation's Cup in a jump-off against the Dutch.

BMO Financial Group Nation's Cup Past Winners

* "Denotes win by jump-off with the bracketed numbers indicating faults taken during jump-off"
* The 2005 competition failed to yield results due to heavy rains.

2006 Nation's Cup Results

Despite taking only a mere six faults up to the final round, Great Britain created a jump-off situation during their final ride as their squad gained four faults to equal Canada's ten. The competition then culminated in a thrilling jump-off between the two teams as anchor riders Michael Whitaker and Ian Millar were selected to represent their respective teams. Despite faulting for the first time that day, it was Canada's Ian Millar riding eleven year old gelding In Style [ [http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=1426 Hunter Jumper News » Blog Archive » Jump Canada Announces Nations’ Cup Team for Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ ] ] who ensured Canada's first victory at this tournament. Taking the bronze was United States' national team, who rode strongly; taking only sixteen faults. The remaining rankings saw Germany take fourth place, the Netherlands achieving fifth place, and Belgium finishing in sixth.

Despite fairly warm temperatures and windy afternoon showers, attendance at the 2006 Nation's cup final held Saturday, September 9th, approximated 60 870; a single day record for Spruce Meadows. [http://www.calgarysun.com (10 September 2006 )]

Masters Grand Prix

The Masters is one of the top Grand Prix's in the world of show jumping. Up until 2006 it was also the richest but is second now only to the Al Maktoum Challenge, Dubai in terms of prize money. [ [http://www.ameinfo.com/73407.html Al Maktoum Challenge] ] In 2007, the $1 Million CN International Grand Prix winner received CA$325,000 first prize.

CN International Grand Prix Past Winners

*2007 Eric Lamaze flag|CAN and Hickstead
*2006 Eugenie Angot flag|FRA and Cigale du Tallis
*2005 Beezie Madden flag|USA and Judgement
*2004 Jos Lansink flag|BEL and Cumano
*2003 Otto Becker flag|DEU and Dobels Cento
*2002 Ludger Beerbaum flag|DEU and Goldfever 3
*2001 Rodrigo Pessoa flag|BRA and Gandini Lianos
*2000 Rodrigo Pessoa flag|BRA and Gandini Lianos
*1999 Rene Tebbel flag|DEU and Radiator
*1998 Nick Skelton flag|GBR and Virtual Village Hopes Are High
*1997 Leslie Burr-Howard flag|USA and S’Blieft
*1996 Peter Charles flag|IRL and La Ina
*1995 Michael Whitaker flag|GBR and Everest Two-Step
*1994 John Whitaker flag|GBR and Everest Grannusch
*1993 Nick Skelton flag|GBR and Everest Dollar Girl
*1992 John Whitaker flag|GBR and Henderson Gammon
*1991 Ian Millar flag|CAN and Big Ben
*1990 Otto Becker flag|DEU and Optibeurs Pamina
*1989 Michael Whitaker flag|GBR and Next Mon Santa
*1988 George Morris flag|USA and Rio
*1987 Ian Millar flag|CAN and Big Ben
*1986 John Whitaker flag|GBR and Next Milton
*1985 Nick Skelton flag|GBR and Everest St. James
*1984 Heidi Robbiani flag|CH and Jessica V
*1983 Norman Dello Joio flag|USA and I Love You
*1982 Malcolm Pyrah flag|GBR and Towerlands Anglezarke
*1981 David Broome flag|GBR and Queens Way Philco
*1980
*1979 Eddie Macken flag|IRL and Carroll's Boomerang [cite book|author=Slavin, Michael|title=Show Jumping Legends, Ireland 1868 -1998|publisher=Wolfhound Press|year=1998|id=ISBN 0-86327-657-1 pg 142]
*1978
*1977

* "Results courtesy of the Spruce Meadows secretary."

References