Great day for Great Britain at the Spruce Meadows 'Masters'
September 06, 2023
Ben Maher (GBR) & Exit Remo win the TELUS Cup (1.50m) © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Olympian Ben Maher (GBR) Wins the TELUS Cup Opening Day of the ‘Masters’
September 6, 2023 (Spruce Meadows) - The 2023 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ CSIO5* has commenced and the TELUS Cup (1.50m) wrapped today’s competitions on opening day. Forty-five horse/rider combinations declared to start the competition and step onto the International Ring.
The track was designed by Level 4 FEI Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) and athletes had to complete 11 obstacles (13 jumping efforts) in under a time allowed of 66 seconds to qualify for the jump off. Fifteen horse/rider combinations representing nine nations advanced to the jump off.
Ben Maher (GBR) & Exit Remo jump the “world” (1.50m) © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Olympic gold medalist and current #4 ranked rider in the world, Ben Maher (GBR), took two horses into the jump off, bettering his chances of making it to the winner’s circle. Aboard Exit Remo, he laid down the fastest clear jump off ride with a time of 39.98s. Maher also picked up the fourth place with Enjeu De Grisien.
“It's been some years that I’ve walked into that ring and it's just a different feeling, you know? I jumped in arenas all over the world, but you walk through that tunnel and you have the incredible arena, the history, a lot of history here. When I was growing up, always dreaming that I could be able to come here and ride one day.” - Ben Maher (GBR) on stepping through the Clock Tower day one of the 2023 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’.
Matthew Sampson (GBR) & Fabrice DN © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Matthew Sampson (GBR) & Fabrice DN with a Win on Day One
The Cardel Homes Cup (1.45m) was the first event on the International Ring to start the tournament. Thirty-seven athletes representing twelve nations stepped through the iconic Clock Tower looking to post a fast and clear ride in the one round competition. Great Britain’s Matthew Sampson aboard Fabrice DN spent their summer at Spruce Meadows and the preparation paid off. The pair galloped across the finish line clear, in a time of 61.27s which could not be caught.
Santiago Lambre (BRA) and Kyle King (USA) rounded out the top three placings respectively.
Matthew Sampson (GBR) & Curraghgraigue Obos Flight took top spot in the Richardson Wealth Cup (1.40m) - Kara Chad (CAN) stepped in to accept on his behalf © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Second Win for Matthew Sampson (GBR) on Opening Day
The newly renovated All Canada Ring hosted today’s Richardson Wealth Cup (1.40m). This one round competition was against the clock and the athlete with the lowest faults and fastest time would get the opportunity to step into the winner's circle. Matthew Sampson (GBR) picked up his second win of the day coming in clear with a time of 67.95s that could not be caught.
Best of the Rest
#801 - The Fantastic 4 (1.20m)
Carla Diewert (CAN) and Cogito
© Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
#804 - The Mustangs (1.30m)
James Chawke (IRL) and Nacara Van Berkenbroeckz
© Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Pony Ride are included daily with admission © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Full Week of Fun for the Whole Family
While some of the world’s best riders and horses compete throughout the week for top honors and the world’s largest purse, outside the competition rings, there’s plenty of entertainment and activities for guests of all ages.
Here’s what’s happening tomorrow:
Gates Open to the Public │ 9:00am
Public Parking │ Lot #2
Seniors and Veterans Day │Free admission for those 65+, Veterans, First Responders, and Military (ID requested).
Linda Southern Heathcott (President & CEO, Spruce Meadows) and Craig Trnka (CEO, World Championship Blacksmiths) official open the Blacksmith World Championships at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ © Spruce Meadows Media/Ashley Jimenez
Included in Daily Admission
Blacksmith World Championships │ Blacksmiths compete daily
Brown Bear Woman Teepee Village│Indigenous traditions, culture, & history
Petting Zoo │Fun for kids and families!
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)│ Musical Ride & Tent Pegging
Linda Southern Heathcott (President & CEO, Spruce Meadows) welcomes all the exhibitors and vendors to the MARKT. at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ © Spruce Meadows Media/Ashley Jimenez
MARKT. Lifestyle + Fine Art │Shop over 160 vendors!
Pony Rides │Kids can enjoy pony rides!
Jonathan Field Horsemanship demonstrations take place daily in the Riding Hall © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Jonathan Field Horsemanship│Discover horsemanship skills
Band of the Household Cavalry│Enjoy live music
Dressage Demo │ Witness the elegance of dressage
Brown Bear Woman Teepee Display down the Champions Promenade © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Flower Arranging │Special floral design demonstration
Vaulting │Watch elegant gymnastics and dance on horseback
Show Jumping 101 │ Learn about sport horse care and training
Lorie Duff Horsemanship │Explore liberty horsemanship
Saddle Demos with DK Saddlery │Learn about the importance of saddle fit
Traditional Indigenous Dancers perform at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
Brown Bear Woman Performance │An exciting performance awaits
Globefest: The Orb Odyssey │the hunt is on
More Photos from Today
As is tradition - the christening (thanks to Baron Ginus, ridden by Holly Grayton (CAN)) of the newly renovated All Canada Ring © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Fall colours are in full swing at Spruce Meadows © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Blue skies at Spruce Meadows despite the little wind storm that came in later in the afternoon © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
The Village Shops a new instalment in the Upper Plaza filled with amazing vendors © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony lewis
Blacksmiths in action at the World Blacksmith Championship © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
The original farm house is the background to new All Canada Ring Warm Up © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Baba Art at the entrance of the Equi-Plex © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
The wall comes down on the International Ring a few times today © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
