World's Top Riders are Set to Compete at the Spruce Meadows 'Masters'
August 24, 2023
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping trophy arrives on the Spruce Meadows Charter Aircraft ahead of the start of the ‘Masters’ © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Top Show Jumpers Prepare to Compete at the 2023 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’
August 24, 2023 (Spruce Meadows, Canada) - The Spruce Meadows International Ring is under final preparations to welcome the top riders and horses of the world for a week of action packed competition from September 6-10, 2023. The stakes are high with 15 nations being represented and 6 of the top 10 ranked riders in the world ready to add their names to historic trophies. The Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ promises to not only be a testament to the global reach and allure of the sport of show jumping but a destination for shopping, world renown artists, equine inspired demonstrations, family fun and more!
Martin Fuchs (SUI) is listed to compete at the 2023 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ © Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
Action on the International Ring
Starting on Wednesday, September 6 athletes will tackle tracks on the International Ring designed by FEI Level 4 course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN). Success early on in the week (competitions held on Wednesday and Thursday) will help alleviate the pressure of a late qualification for the Suncor Winning Round (Saturday) and the CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex - part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping (Sunday).
Brian Morton (CAN) was part of a 3-way tie in he 2022 ATCO Electric Six Bar © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Friday’s competitions mark the final opportunity for those non-team riders to earn their way into Sunday’s Grand Prix with a strong finish in the Tourmaline Oil Cup (1.60m) which begins the WestJet Evening of the Horse. The light towers and spotlights roll onto the International Ring for the ATCO Electric Six Bar. The ‘how high can you go’, knock-out competition challenges athletes to test their horse power in hopes of being the last one standing and possibly break Jessica Kurten’s (IRL) 2.12m record set in 2004.
Matthew Sampson (GBR) won the 2022 Suncor Winning Round © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
The Suncor Winning Round (1.50m) kicks off competitions on Saturday of the ‘Masters’. The top 30 riders from qualifying competitions earlier in the week will be on the order of go. 2022 winner Matthew Sampson (GBR) is set to compete at the ‘Masters’ but will have to qualify to defend his title.
Hennrick Von Eckermann (SWE) in the 2022 BMO Nations’ Cup © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
The International Ring will get an extra flare of “international” feeling Saturday afternoon with the BMO Nations’ Cup. Seven teams (Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Sweden, USA and Canada) will put their best foot forward looking to raise the historic trophy in victory. Sweden will do it’s best to repeat the results of 2022 but it could be anyone!
Daniel Deusser (GER) & Killer Queen winners of the 2022 CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Sunday marks the final day of FEI competition at Spruce Meadows for the 2023 season and there’s no better way to cap it off then with the $3,000,000 CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex - part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Only the top 40 athletes qualified throughout the week get the opportunity to compete for a piece of the prize, prestigious title and to become the “live contender” in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The star-studded line up of competitors could feature a mix of several historic Spruce Meadows ‘International’ Grand Prix and/or Rolex Grand Slam event winners.
Conor Swail (IRL) was successful throughout the 2023 Summer Tournaments at Spruce Meadows © Spruce Meadows Media
Who to Watch?
Harrie Smolders (NED-3), Martin Fuchs (SUI-4), Shane Sweetnam (IRL-7), Kent Farrington (USA-8), Ben Maher (GBR-9) and Conor Swail (IRL-10) feature as 6 of the top 10 FEI ranked* riders looking to add their names to some of the famous trophies at Spruce Meadows. In addition to this prestigious group, a host of other fan favourites will be making their way to Spruce Meadows with the goal of “jumping into history”.
Amy Millar (CAN) in the 2022 BMO Nations’ Cup © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
There’s nothing like the cheering for the home nation and this year Team Canada is bringing some heavy hitting in anticipation of the Pan American Games in October. Fans can look forward to cheering on Tiffany Foster, Amy Millar, Erynn Ballard and Mario Deslauiers throughout the week and hopefully celebrating some thrilling victories.
John Whitaker (GBR) & Everest Grannusch win the 1994 ‘International’ Grand Prix at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ © Spruce Meadows Media
For the first time since 2016 Great Britain will field at team in the BMO Nations’ Cup. The team consists of some heavy hitters including Olympic gold medalist Ben Maher and the legendary John Whitaker - who’s Spruce Meadows resume alone consists of multiple BMO Nations’ Cup and ‘International’ Grand Prix wins.
Scott Brash (GBR) & Hello Sanctos © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Other former ‘International’ Grand Prix winners include Daniel Deusser (GER), Steve Guerdat (SUI), Sameh el Dahan (GBR), Pieter Devos (BEL), Olivier Phlippaerts (BEL) and of course Scott Brash (GBR). Brash is still the only individual to have ever won the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Kent Farrington (USA) and Martin Fuchs (SUI) are also amongst those planning to attend and have won multiple (though not consecutive) Rolex Grand Slam events outside of the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’.
*as of August 23, 2023
Steve Guerdat (SUI) has yet to miss a Major since the inception of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2013 © Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis
There are so many great athletes joining us for this year’s ‘Masters' CSIO5*/2* - who will you cheer for?
