Latest news with #SpruceMeadows
Calgary Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Spruce Meadows offers Canadian sports record $5-million purse for CPKC International grand prix
Spruce Meadows will make history next month by offering a $5-million purse in the Masters tournament grand prix, the biggest single-day event sporting payout in Canada this year, and the largest ever in show jumping. Article content The final-day award, part of Spruce Meadows' 50th anniversary celebrations, is $2 million more than the previous year's payout, making the upcoming CPKC International, presented by Rolex, one for the record books. Article content Article content While other Canadian sports offer larger tour, multi-day or cumulative prizes, the $5 million on offer Sept. 7 is understood to be the largest for a single-day event in 2025. Article content Article content The Masters finale competition will also determine if Swiss ace Martin Fuchs, with super-steed Leone Jei, can win his third consecutive International. Article content With a victory under his belt at July's Rolex Grand Prix Major in Aachen, Germany, a win at Spruce Meadows would also put Fuchs, 33, on course to become the second-ever rider in history to take the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, which requires three consecutive wins at four of the world's Rolex Grand Slam majors. Two consecutive Rolex Grand Slam major wins would also land him with a 500,000 Euro bonus. Article content 'We have introduced a number of exciting new elements at Spruce Meadows this year to celebrate our 50th anniversary,' said president and CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott. 'It was important to me, as a former rider, and a lifelong advocate for show jumping, to make sure we were doing something extra special for the sport that has always been the lifeblood of Spruce Meadows. Article content Article content 'We have an incredible roster of corporate partners that have enabled us to award more than $200 million in prize money since our inception in 1975. 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 $11 million being awarded across the 2025 tournament season. Article content 'That's pretty exciting for a former cattle feedlot in the Canadian foothills and I hope Calgarians, Albertans, and anyone with a love for show jumping will consider joining us for an unforgettable 2025 Masters.' Article content The tournament runs Sept. 3-7, with an entertainment roster featuring the RCMP Musical Ride, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), Blacksmiths World Championships, fine art and local shopping, live music and performances, and children's activities.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spruce Meadows co-founder Margaret Southern awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal
Spruce Meadows co-founder Margaret Southern was honoured Saturday with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, recognizing her decades-long contributions to sport, community and education in Alberta and across Canada. The medal was presented by Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani during ATCO Military Family Day, an annual event at Spruce Meadows honouring Canadian military heroes and their families. 'Mrs. Southern, you and your family are really that anchor that grounds us, in a world that has lost its mooring,' Lakhani said during the ceremony. 'Thank you so much for everything that you have done, and your family continues to do.' The award recognizes civilians who have made significant contributions to Alberta and Canada. Southern's recognition comes ahead of the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup, the marquee event of the Spruce Meadows 'North American' tournament. She joined her daughters — Linda Southern-Heathcott, president and CEO of Spruce Meadows, and Nancy Southern, chair and CEO of ATCO — who also received the coronation medal earlier this year. A former teacher, Margaret Southern founded Spruce Meadows in 1975 alongside her husband Ron, and served as its president until 2005. Over nearly five decades, she helped transform the facility into one of the world's premier show jumping venues, attracting hundreds of thousands of international visitors each year. 'Mrs. Southern's decades of passionate leadership, tireless work, and enduring dedication helped make Spruce Meadows one of the most successful show jumping venues on the planet,' Spruce Meadows said in a release. 'That effort has helped draw hundreds of thousands of global tourists to Alberta, bringing in more than $120 million to the broader Alberta economy annually, without the aid of government funding.' Southern has also championed philanthropy and youth education with initiatives such as the Spruce Meadows School Tours program, which has seen more than 250,000 youngsters visit Spruce Meadows to learn about agriculture, ecosystems and equine welfare. Grand plan comes to fruition as Spruce Meadows celebrates 50th anniversary in style Spruce Meadows at 50: Small dream, big ambition has led to world-class venture
Calgary Herald
06-07-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Spruce Meadows co-founder Margaret Southern awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal
Spruce Meadows co-founder Margaret Southern was honoured Saturday with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, recognizing her decades-long contributions to sport, community and education in Alberta and across Canada. Article content The medal was presented by Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani during ATCO Military Family Day, an annual event at Spruce Meadows honouring Canadian military heroes and their families. Article content Article content Article content 'Mrs. Southern, you and your family are really that anchor that grounds us, in a world that has lost its mooring,' Lakhani said during the ceremony. 'Thank you so much for everything that you have done, and your family continues to do.' Article content Article content The award recognizes civilians who have made significant contributions to Alberta and Canada. Article content She joined her daughters — Linda Southern-Heathcott, president and CEO of Spruce Meadows, and Nancy Southern, chair and CEO of ATCO — who also received the coronation medal earlier this year. A former teacher, Margaret Southern founded Spruce Meadows in 1975 alongside her husband Ron, and served as its president until 2005. Over nearly five decades, she helped transform the facility into one of the world's premier show jumping venues, attracting hundreds of thousands of international visitors each year. Article content Article content 'Mrs. Southern's decades of passionate leadership, tireless work, and enduring dedication helped make Spruce Meadows one of the most successful show jumping venues on the planet,' Spruce Meadows said in a release. 'That effort has helped draw hundreds of thousands of global tourists to Alberta, bringing in more than $120 million to the broader Alberta economy annually, without the aid of government funding.' Article content
Belfast Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Derry rider continues dominant spell with victory at $1million event in Canada
Irish riders have been in incredible form over the past few weeks at the Canadian venue, dominating the winners circle, with Coyle's massive Atco Cup win – the final Grand Prix of the Spruce Meadows summer season – crowning the Irish domination. After two demanding rounds of jumping, four combinations went forward to the third round jump-off where Coyle posted what proved the winning clear in 35.21 seconds. America's Kyle King finished eight hundredths of a second behind Coyle to take runner-up spot aboard Kayenne Z (35.29), while Daniel Coyle's older brother Jordan finished third with Chaccolino in 35.86. A delighted Coyle explained how narrowly missing out on victory last weekend gave him an extra incentive and on how his horses improve at every level during the Spruce Meadows Summer Tournament. "I wasn't sure how today would go, to be honest. He was second last week which probably gave me a wee bit more of a spur on to try and get it over the line,' he said. "I like to come here for the summer because every horse gets a little better, even the horses at the top of the game. But not only that, we also have some six, some seven-year-olds here and they are the future, so we have to bring them along as well." In the earlier Akita Drilling Cup 1m50, Jordan Coyle came out on top with For Gold, adding to a string of wins for the Derry rider in recent weeks, while there was also an Irish win in the Moore Equine Cup for Offaly's Darragh Kenny aboard Colibelle Hero Z.
CTV News
21-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Start of Cavalry FC game postponed due to weather
If you're planning to head to Spruce Meadows to see Cavalry FC Saturday, pump the brakes. The Canadian Premier League club announced shortly after noon that the start of its scheduled 2:30 p.m. game against Pacific F.C. has been postponed. 'Due to the weather, kickoff for today's game has been postponed,' the club said. 'We will have another update shortly once Canada Soccer officials have assessed the field of play. (within the next hour).' This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.
