The 'CSIO
Spruce Meadows' 'Masters' Tournament' is an annual fall
equestrian show jumping event held in
Calgary,
Alberta.
[1] 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".
[2]. Total purse amounts for all events of the Spruce Meadows 'Masters' amount to over $6 million'
★ ' making it the number one show jumping facility in the world.
[3]
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 recent victory by
Canada in 2006 marks the first time the home team has won a title at the Master's Tournament.
BMO Financial Group Nation's Cup Past Winners
| Year | Nation | Anchor | Anchor Horse | Total Faults | Runner Up Nation | Total Faults | Third Place Nation | Total Faults |
|---|
| 2006 | | Ian Miller | In Style | 10' ★ ' (4) | | 10 (8) | | 16 |
| 2004 | | | | | | | | |
| 2003 | | | | | | | | |
| 2002 | | | | | | | | |
| 2001 | | | | | | | | |
| 2000 | | | | | | | | |
| 1999 | | | | | | | | |
'
★ ' ''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 Miller were selected to represent their respective teams. Despite faulting for the first time that day, it was Canada's Ian Miller riding eleven year old gelding In Style
[2] 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 this year's cup final held Saturday, September 9th 2006, approximated 60 870; a single day record for Spruce Meadows.
[5]
CN International Grand Prix Past Winners
★ 2006 Eugenie Angot
FRA and Cigale du Tallis
★ 2005 Beezie Madden
USA and Judgement
★ 2004 Jos Lansink
BEL and Cumano
★ 2003 Otto Becker
DEU and
Dobels Cento
★ 2002 Ludger Beerbaum
DEU and Goldfever 3
★ 2001
Rodrigo Pessoa BRA and Gandini Lianos
★ 2000
Rodrigo Pessoa BRA and Gandini Lianos
★ 1999 Rene Tebbel
DEU and Radiator
★ 1998
Nick Skelton GBR and Virtual Village Hopes Are High
★ 1997 Leslie Burr-Howard
USA and S’Blieft
★ 1996 Peter Charles
IRL and La Ina
★ 1995 Michael Whitaker
GBR and Everest Two-Step
★ 1994
John Whitaker GBR and Everest Grannusch
★ 1993
Nick Skelton GBR and Everest Dollar Girl
★ 1992
John Whitaker GBR and Henderson Gammon
★ 1991 Ian Millar
CAN and
Big Ben
★ 1990 Otto Becker
DEU and Optibeurs Pamina
★ 1989 Michael Whitaker
GBR and Next Mon Santa
★ 1988
George Morris USA and Rio
★ 1987
Ian Millar CAN and
Big Ben
★ 1986
John Whitaker GBR and Next
Milton
★ 1985
Nick Skelton GBR and Everest St. James
★ 1984 Heidi Robbiani
CH and Jessica V
★ 1983 Norman Dello Joio
USA and I Love You
★ 1982 Malcolm Pyrah
GBR and Towerlands Anglezarke
★ 1981 David Broome
GBR and Queens Way Philco
'
★ ' ''Results courtesy of the Spruce Meadows secretary.''
References
1. http://www.sprucemeadows.com/masters.htm
2. http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=1426
3. http://www.calgary.ctv.ca/ (6:00pm 10 September 2006)
4. http://www.hunterjumpernews.com/?p=1426
5. http://www.calgarysun.com (10 September 2006 )