The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping once again travels across the Atlantic Ocean to one of North America’s leading equestrian venues for the third Major of the calendar year, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament. From 4 – 8 September, the world’s most elite horse and rider combinations will gather in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with the hopes of claiming the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex and becoming the new Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender. Spectators will be treated to not only five days of thrilling competition but also sensational shopping, fabulous entertainment, and a vast array of food and drink.
The 2024 edition of the show will welcome a number of Paris 2024 Olympic Games medallists, namely Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, who won individual silver, and Scott Brash and Ben Maher who claimed the team gold medal for Great Britain. The venue is also excited to reveal their latest ‘Spruce Media Jump Collection’ – fresh from the Paris Olympics, the Pont Alexandre III Bridge will be utilized in Leopoldo Palacios’ challenging courses at the ‘Masters’, with the other fences from this year’s Olympic Games being revealed next year when the Tournament celebrates 50 years of history.
Away from the outstanding show jumping on display, for shopping lovers, the MARKT will feature over 175 vendors, spread across locations including the Equi-Plex, Village Shops, Horizons Pavilion, and Founders Plaza. In addition, Spruce Meadows will once again welcome back the Blacksmith World Championships. Blacksmiths from across the world will convene at the prestigious ‘Masters’ event, vying for the coveted title of the world's best. The competitions will take place daily with categories including forge work, blade-smithing, and wielding.
Meanwhile, on the Scotiabank Stage, ticketholders will be treated to musical performances to match those in the International Ring. Located in the heart of the International Plaza, a range of dancers and fabulous musicians will delight crowds, including His Majesty's Band of the Household Cavalry as well as local Calgarian singer and songwriter Matt Blais. Whilst, in the Deloitte Ring, a range of exciting performances will be on show notably by Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), the Spruce Meadows Prairie Dogs, remarkable vaulting and dressage displays, and fan favourite the Corgi Cup.
The International Ring once again hosts what promises to be five days of world-class show jumping classes, and improvements have been made to ensure these classes are truly unmissable sporting moments. These improvements include the removal of the 'Table Top' to allow course designers more flexibility and room to create courses, as well as the addition of new large video screens to improve the viewing experience.
CSIO5* classes begin on Wednesday 4 September with the TELUS Cup and the Cardel Homes Cup and will conclude on Sunday 8 September with the show’s pinnacle class the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex. Held over two rounds and a jump-off, this class is a true test of the horse and rider’s courage, skill, and stamina. The competition is expected to be fierce, with current live contender André Thieme, as well as last year’s triumphant Rolex Testimonee Martin Fuchs in the field.
For those who will not be making the journey to the venue, you can watch all of the excitement unfold in the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex using the free live stream on the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping website.