SHOW JUMPING
Royal West has big dreams
Over the past five years, John Anderson has worked tirelessly on an event featuring horses and riders, one not named Spruce Meadows.
But if Anderson’s plan goes according to Hoyle, Royal West will one day be accorded a similar cachet.
“Our city is the most educated city in North America about show jumping,” Anderson began. “You can’t argue what Spruce Meadows has done for our sport. The whole purpose of what I’m trying to do — and I hope I’m successful — I’d like to bring the World Cup Finals to Calgary.
“Remember the National, the North American? You used to see crowds all the time. You’re starting to see dwindling crowds at those two tournaments early in the summer. But when it comes to the Spruce Meadows Masters, you can’t find a seat.
“You know why? In my opinion, instead of going all the time, people say let’s wait until the big guys come. It’s the Masters and it’s World Cup Finals. That’s how Royal West was born. I wanted a few years to get it under my belt because running a big international indoor tournament is way different than doing something at your own venue. That’s my longterm goal.”
The 2018 edition of the Royal West jumping tournament began Thursday and culminates on Oct. 27 with the $100,000 Truman Homes Cup at the Agrium Western Events Centre.
Anderson, 51, is well-versed in the sport. He was a member of Canada’s 1986 world championship team and the ’88 Olympic Games squad. He’s been putting on events at the family farm, Rocky Mountain Show Jumping, for more than 20 years.
But Royal West, a CSI3 competition this year and projected CSI4 in 2019, presents other challenges, primarily working in tandem with other organizations, in particular the Calgary Stampede.
“We’ve had growing pains,” Anderson admitted. “It’s a totally different event for us. We’re happy with our whole relationship with the Calgary Stampede. It’s a great way for us to share show jumping with other people who might not have an opportunity to watch it.
“We are so fortunate to have a major show jumping venue in our city called Spruce Meadows. But a lot of times it’s tough for everyone to get all the way down there. Now, you have access right in the (Stampede) park, with the CTrain, so we’re hoping that this venue in the future, as we get bigger, brings more people into the core of the city to enjoy it.”
Interestingly, prior to Royal West’s emergence in 2014, the last time show jumping was held downtown was in 1984 at the Corral, where Anderson made his open jumper grand prix debut.
The last three years, the Royal West was part of the Longines North American World Cup tour, but because Canada’s allotment of Cup qualifiers dropped from four to two, Calgary lost one.
“It made me a little bit upset because the World Cup Finals annually is an indoor event,” Anderson pointed out. “All the qualifiers, in my opinion, should be indoors. In Europe, they are. In North America, they’re not.
“If the league continues in its fashion, we’ll be re-applying.”
That’s the first step in then trying for the Finals themselves. Next spring, they’re in Gothenburg, Sweden, while the following year they’ll be in Las Vegas. The World Cup Finals have never been held in Canada.
“There’s a whole process,” Anderson said. “The organizer is responsible for the charter (for the horses), to house all the athletes. It’s not a small undertaking. But you need to get your feet wet.”
Thus the Royal West continues its growth, thanks to committed sponsors, a necessity in the world of show jumping. Truman Homes is backing the second Saturday’s big event, with some additional bits of interest.
On the Royal West site (royalwest.org), there’s a link to enter a contest for a VIP experience, including a suite for viewing the grand prix. Everyone is encouraged to enter. And for every entry, $10 will go toward the Calgary Homeless Foundation.
In between the first round and the jump-off, Anderson and Truman Homes president George Trutina will make a cheque presentation to the charity.
And then there’s the actual jumping itself, which features a terrific lineup, including Anderson. Among those taking part are Canadian team members Ben Asselin, Laura-Jane Tidball, Vanessa Mannix, Keean White, Elizabeth Gingras, Jaclyn Duff, Jenna Thompson, Irishman Conor Swail and American Kyle King. As well, local up-and-comers like Jim Ifko and Tayah Sobie will also be competing.
The Royal West International championship, Phase 1-3, will see the best riders over three days vying for medals.
The whole purpose of what I’m trying to do — and I hope I’m successful — I’d like to bring the World Cup Finals to Calgary.