Monday, September 15, 2014

A Day at Spruce Meadows.

    Spruce Meadows is a well known horse show jumping facility at Calgary Alberta. It's a world class facility and some would argue the world's best facility. It sprawls over 480 acres.



Riders walking through the jumps



    Many international competitions are held each year. 

   Yesterday I spent the day at Spruce Meadows for the Master's Competition. 47 great riders and horses competed. The top 12 riders then competed in a jump off. This resulted in tie between Ian Millar of Canada and Reed Kessler of the U.S.  Millar won the tie breaker.

Ian Millar takes a jump

    Now I did get excited when Ian Millar won. He's been competing for many years and has been a winner many times.

Ian Millar the winner. Read Kessler just behind Ian

   At 67 Ian Millar is an amazing rider. He's been in  ten Olympics. Reed  Kessler is an amazing 20 year old and we will hear much more about her.

   Now I'm not a fan of show jumping. My wife is a fanatic about show jumping so being a thoughtful husband , I took her to the masters at Spruce Meadows. For her that is a great day.

A few heads and the RCMP
     Oh yes , the RCMP musical ride performed too. 

   Now there were riders from 15 different countries. The event was televised to many countries around the world. Thousands of people attended.

   Now if you watch TV , the only sour puss in the stands was Me!

30 comments:

  1. It looks like great fun, Red. I'll bet even you had a little bit of fun, if you just admit it. :-)

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    1. I did have fun. I always liked Ian Millar so when he won I came to life.

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  2. I like to watch it on TV...I would hate the crowds. Yeah for the older guy winning! :)

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    1. Yes, I really hate that kind of crowd. there are many people in a confined area.

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  3. I don't watch much sport but live events are usually much better than televised ones.

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    1. This was televised and it kept interfering with the show!

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  4. You have a hard life I see, to accompany your wife to an event she likes. Sometimes you have to put your interests aside and enjoy a day out together...

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    1. Couldn't agree with you more. that's the way the world goes round!

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  5. Went to a few shows like this. A good time for those who enjoy the ponies

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  6. Looks like a lot of fun! And I bet you weren't as much of a sour puss as you say; you probably did have some fun. Ian Millar is 67 and competing? Love it!

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    1. Yes, I did come to life when Ian Millar won.

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  7. What a fascinating day, and very showy, with the RCMP in their uniforms!

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    1. It was Britain day so there was an English band and some English military or horse artillery units.

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  8. how awesome for mr. ian! it is a tough and dangerous sport. i don't think i could watch it in person.

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    1. It's cool how when the rider is going through the course the crowd is absolutely silent.

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  9. What a coincidence! We went to see horse jumping in Kingston. Hubby volunteered at Spruce Meadows when he lived in Calgary. He grew up with and loves horses. Ian Miller is our neighbour! Mind you, he's pretty private and we've never spoken! I did trespass on his property when my GPS konked out and I got steered wrong in the frozen wetland. :-)

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    1. That is a big coincidence . I knew Millar was from Perth but never connected you as it's a large area.

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  10. I used to watch horse jumping and car races all the time when I was a kid. Now no time :(( I would love to watch it in person :)) Great pics. Thanks for sharing!!

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    1. It is interesting to be there. TV shows you more but you miss the experience. TV commentators talk too much.

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  11. Let's see. You had a day out in the sunshine. It looks a lot warmer than the day you had all that snow. You had photo opportunities. You watched a Canuck win a competition. And you had a blog post handed to you. I suspect you weren't such a sour puss after all. ;)

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    1. Okay, your case is made. It was cool in the morning but a very nice afternoon.

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  12. What a delightful discovery!



    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>

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    1. I've been there quite a few times. It's amazing that this is free. There are many sponsors that distribute tickets.

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  13. I've never been into horses but my wife never fails to watch equestrian events on TV. It is an interesting sport. I've ridden a camel but never a horse. Must give it a try some day.

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    1. MY opinion is you haven't missed anything by not riding a horse!

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  14. Hi
    Should have looked earlier but having the joys of "internet" problems - supposedly being upgraded nation wide here.
    Pity they didn't inform internet users!!!
    Absolutely LOVE equestrian events as I competed as a youngster. TV ( pay channels) have it on here in Australia, so I can watch if I am at a pub when it is on.
    Good to know that the "old" fellow won.
    Not quite sure what Olympics but Australia won the team event and the Captain of the team was in his 80's and competed in the final round with a broken arm. I think that shows "true grit". I think it was the Rome Olympics???

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  15. Internet here is not the greatest either. Things get pretty slow.

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  16. I do like the musical ride! The horseback riding lessons we're taking are definitely WESTERN! :)

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  17. I've never seen a horse race, but it sure does look exciting.

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