Spruce Meadows 2014

Spruce Meadows was due to commence on Wednesday 10 September 2014. This was the scene across Calgary that evening.  As we drove past, having traveled across from Vancouver on Tuesday and Wednesday, we noted that none of the car parks had been used.

While the International ring had been cleared by hand on the Tuesday it had snowed again overnight to cover the ring again making it impossible to hold the show on the first day, Wednesday.
This was the scene in the All Canada ring on the Thursday when jumping commenced in the International ring.

Snow clearing in progress in the All Canada ring.

The International ring ready for the first class on Thursday.  A mammoth effort following some 32cms of snow fell over a two day period.  The snow in the foreground is immediately in front of the grandstand.

The new statue of Hickstead had him with a snow saddle blanket.

 The show keeps on with the usual formal presentations.

 However the evidence of the effort appeared at various points with heaps of snow cleared off vital areas to be piled up elsewhere.  Immediately following the snow the grounds were littered with fallen branches under trees that also had to be cleared away.

 Jumping got under way in the All Canada ring with snow still piled within the arena.

As if the snow was not enough of a problem Spruce Meadows still managed to transport and use this artist obstacle which only a week before this photo was taken had been in use at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Caen, France.

 Leopoldo Palacious, (3rd from left) produced the perfect test over two rounds ending in a two horse jump off.

 Here the winner, Ian Millar, at the prize giving in front of an exuberant Canadian crowd. It turned a week that started cold and white into an emotional ending in brilliant sunshine.

When the work is done the band played on.  The Spruce Meadows team overcame all obstacles to present a capacity crowd to spectacular showjumping on the final day of the Masters 2014.  Next year is the 40th anniversary.