Source:  News Release

Spruce Meadows: ‘'Pan American' Tournament

 The finale to the 2015 Spruce Meadows Summer Series, the ‘Pan American’ CSI 5* Tournament, runs July 9-12. With over $689,000 in prize money to be awarded to the top riders in the world, the ‘Pan American’ Tournament will host six FEI sanctioned competitions, each offering important FEI world ranking points. This week, the final showdown on Sunday at Spruce Meadows will be the $400,000 Pan American Cup, presented by ROLEX. 

Last year’s Pan American Cup champion Kent Farrington (USA) returns with a championship stable to defend his title. After an exciting 2015 Summer Series, Farrington took home three FEI wins including the ‘National’ Grand Prix earlier in June. McLain Ward (USA) will also be one to watch, as he has achieved an impressive six FEI victories including the ‘Continental’ and ‘North American’ Grand Prix. 

Fourteen nations will be represented this week at the ‘Pan American’ tournament. Included amongst the riders to watch are Sameh El Dahan (EGY), Olivier and Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), Ben Asselin (CAN) and Andres Rodriguez (VEN) all who have claimed multiple top ten finishes at Spruce Meadows and have added impressive medals to their athlete résumés. 

The Pan American theme is suited next to this year’s 2015 Pan American Games held in Toronto from July 11-25. Although the selected riders named their nations’ show jumping teams may not be attending the complete ‘Pan American’ Tournament at Spruce Meadows, the competition on the Meadows on the Green Ring will be fierce and welcomes the top playing field in the sport to vie for big prize money, FEI world rankings points and international acclaim. 

Course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA) will set the test for riders to compete in this amphitheatre setting. Unique seating and viewing lines brings the spectators and corporate guests 

closer to the action on the ring. Hear the pounding hooves and feel the tension of stiff competition while you enjoy complimentary seating in the park-like scenery of Spruce Meadows. 

The ‘Pan American’ tournament also provides the Junior/Amateur riders a final opportunity this summer to shine at Spruce Meadows. Three of the seven Spruce Meadows grass arenas will be in play and will continue to challenge the international roster of athletes and horses on the rise. Derby competitions using the water jumps, the devil’s dyke, the table top and natural obstacles are featured this week on the Chinook Ring. 

Outside of the competitive arena, Spruce Meadows is proud to give back to the community through the enormously popular “Horses Jump to Give a Leg Up” initiative in partnership with ConocoPhillips and the Calgary Sun. Again in 2015, twenty Not-For-Profit organizations were given their own life-sized fiberglass horse to decorate. The engaging equines were unveiled at the ‘National’ Tournament presented by Rolex, and remain available online for silent auction until the ‘Masters’ Tournament in September. 

The 2015 edition of Name the Foal, presented by TELUS will be coming to a close July 31st, 2015. The Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ Tournament will be your last opportunity to meet the foals up close when they are introduced on the Meadows on the Green Ring on the weekend. 

Public are encouraged to enter to win and have their name selected plus receive an exclusive VIP trip to the ‘Masters’ Tournament September 9-13, 2015. Winners will receive roundtrip transportation, accommodation, and internationally televised presentation with the foals and much more. Entries can be submitted online at www.telus.com/namethefoal, in store at participant TELUS dealers or by paper ballot box at Spruce Meadows located at the Meadows on the Green ring and lower plaza during tournament hours. 

The fifth and final Y2 Junior Rider Award, sponsored by Bretton and Kara Chad will be presented on Sunday, prior to the start of the Pan American Cup on the Meadows on the Green Ring. Throughout the Spruce Meadows Summer Series, five junior riders will have received $3,000 each for the further development of their equestrian career. Each tournament winner has received a cooler, a personal trophy and their name on the Y2 Junior Rider Award perpetual trophy. 

With the finale of the Spruce Meadows Summer Series, the tournament grounds do not rest from special events, family picnics or visitors welcome in the stables. Included in these summer festivities, registration is open for the third event in the Spruce Meadows Run Series. On Sunday August 16th @ 9:00am, Run Through the Meadows is a 5km/10km chip-timed race supporting the Alberta Fire Fighters’ Burn Camp. Run with the fire fighters along

the beautiful paths and trails of Spruce Meadows. For registration and donation details visit, www.sprucemeadows.com/runseries. 

The ‘Pan American’ tournament offers complimentary seating, so no tickets are required. Complimentary Parking is also available throughout the week in Lot#7, and RV sites can be reserved by visiting our website: www.sprucemeadows.com.

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