Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada is known for its exceptional atmosphere for spectators and for hosting top-of-the-line competition. This week the CSI5* National presented by Rolex kicks off the 2018 Summer Series at Spruce Meadows, and we have all the need-to-know information to help you follow along with this week’s CSI5* action.
Family-Friendly Activities
The Spruce Meadows team goes all out in preparing a family-friendly atmosphere for show jumping fans of all ages. Between pony rides, face painting, wagon rides and more, the line-up of festivities offered each day offers a little something for everyone. Got some extra spending money burning a hole in your wallet? Spruce Meadows offers ample opportunities to shop until you drop. This interactive map will help guide you around the property as you explore the Spruce Meadows grounds.
One fun activity you can take part in is the annual Spruce Meadows Prairie Dogs presentation presented by RE/MAX. This much-loved demonstration is not only fun but educational, and with a variety of performance times, there are plenty of opportunities to watch some adorable dogs performing. Also, exclusively during the week of he National, the Spruce Meadow team will be paying tribute to all first responders on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Schedule
Multiple ticket options are available so you can catch a glimpse of all the action throughout the week. Rush seating is $5 a person with seniors and children 12 and under gaining free entry. Rush seats are limited, however, and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserved seating can be purchased Saturday and Sunday at $35 a seat to guarantee your spot for the big money classes. If you enjoy a little more glam, there are options for all-access suites and tables of four at the Club International for the weekend as well.
Competition began with a light schedule and the FEI jog on Tuesday, May 5th. Wednesday features show jumping from 1.10 all the way up to the afternoon’s 1.55m FEI Bantrel Cup at 3:00 PM.
FEI competition continues Thursday and Friday afternoon with 1.50m and 1.55m classes, leading up to the 1.60m RBC Grand Prix Presented by Rolex at 2:00 PM on Saturday. You can find the full layout of the week’s show schedule here.
Who’s Who?
Who can you expect to see at Spruce Meadows during the National? There is a long lineup of riders from all over the globe set to compete. We have summarized some of our favorites below:
Canada has significant representation with 27 riders slated to compete. Fan favorites Tiffany Foster, Eric Lamaze, Jonathon Millar and Keean White, make up four of those 27. High off of her first place finish at the Nations Cup in Langley, Canada, will Foster be able to bring that fire to the ring at the National?
Representing Brazil is Rodrigo Lambre. Lambre has four horses he has brought to Spruce Meadows, one of which is Chapilot who he just brought home 1st with at Langley. Lambre has had a very successful year so far with six first-place finishes so far and over ten podium finishes. His string of horses have all had promising careers thus far with Chapilot and Coleman bringing home tons of fruitful results.
Ireland has sent a group of 19 horses distributed among five riders including Daniel Coyle and Conor Swail. Both Coyle and Swail are coming off of wins just last week at Langley. Coyle’s super mare, Cita, has landed him at the top of the podium on more than one occasion, but he has also brought five other mounts of his that have also placed consistently.
Daniel Bluman is one of four riders hoping to bring home a victory for Israel. Bluman has found his way to the top five several times over the course of the last few months but has been narrowly edged out each time since his winter in Wellington, Florida. Will this be Bluman’s week for redemption?
With a lineup of four phenomenal horses, Karen Polle has a fair chance of bringing home a blue for Japan. Little Lord 90 recently brought home the victory in La Baule, France while Kino was crowned king in Linz, Austria. Polle has been traveling all over the world since the conclusion of WEF this spring but has rounded back to Canada for the National.
Mexico has more riders competing than the home country of Canada with 54 horses split up amongst 20 riders throughout the week. With such a large representation, it is possible to see one of their riders such as Enrique Gonzalez or Patricio Pasquel rise to the occasion.
And representing the great US of A is the largest group of riders of the week. 23 of the nation’s best have their name on the schedule including Lucy Deslauriers, Kent Farrington, Richard Fellers, and Richard Spooner. Farrington recently fell back from number one to number two in the worldwide Longines Jumping Rankings, but he came back from his downtime due to an injury to good form with a second-place finish at the beginning of May in La Baule.
All in all, the competition set to compete at the National is fierce. Stay tuned on Jumper Nation for all the news and updates from Spruce Meadows and be sure to follow along with the live stream if you are unable to cross the border for the week.
Go Jumping!