Spruce Meadows has come a long way since its beginnings on the site of feedlot, to a world class show jumping facility, which has been compared to the show jumping venue in Aachen Germany. In 1973 the Southern Family had a dream to create a World Class Show Jumping Venue in southern Alberta. In 1975 their dream was realized when Spruce officially opened. Spruce Meadows has three hundred and sixty acres, and can handle one thousand horses during tournaments.

Spruce Meadows opened to Show Jumpers around the world with three rings the International Ring, All Canada Ring, and the Rocky Mountain Hunter Ring. Today there are six outdoor grass rings International Ring, Meadows on the Green Ring, All Canada Ring, North American Ring, Rocky Mountain Ring, and the All Alberta Ring. There are also two indoor rings, ten show barns, and various buildings including maintenance and administration.

I went to Spruce Meadows during their National Tournament, held June 10 to June 14, 09. I watched the Shell Energy Cup where the some of the best riders in the world rode for ten thousand dollars in prize money. I watched riders Ian Miller for Canada, Mario Deslauriers for Canada, Beezie Madden for the USA, and Beth Underhill for Canada. Yann Candele from Canada riding Game Boy won the Shell Energy Cup.

Every year people discover the beauty of Spruce Meadows, attracting over 450,000 spectators. Come with me and see Spruce Meadows, as well as the horses and riders as they compete for top prize money at a world class venue.