INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS AT CSIO5* SPRUCE MEADOWS ‘MASTERS’ START TODAY - CSI5* ROLEX GRAND SLAM OF SHOWJUMPING
With all the horses safely at Spruce Meadows and those competing in the 5* and 2* divisions through their FEI Veterinary Inspections, the 2026 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ CSIO5* is officially ramping up!
National-level competition got underway on the All Canada Ring, and on 9 September, the action moves to the International Ring — where athletes will have their first opportunities to qualify for Sunday’s events.
So, how does a rider earn a spot in the $5 million CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex? There are a few different paths…
First: Pre-Qualified Athletes
A select group of athletes arrive at the ‘Masters’ already pre-qualified based on major championship and CSIO5* results, including:
- Individual Jumping medal winners (athlete/horse combinations) from the most recent Olympic and Pan American Games.
- Individual Jumping medal winners (athlete/horse combinations) from the most recent World and Continental Championships.
- The winner of the most recent FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final.
- Winners (athlete/horse combinations) of a Grand Prix at a 5* CSIO event during the previous 12 months
This year’s pre-qualified athletes in attendance include: Christian Kukuk (GER) & Checker 47; Steve Guerdat (SUI) & Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte; Richard Vogel (GER) & United Touch S; Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) & Hantano; Scott Brash (GBR) & Hello Jefferson; Andre Thieme (GER) & Paule S; Thibeau Spits (BEL) & Impress-K van’t Kattenheye Z.
But there’s one important catch: all pre-qualified athletes must complete the initial round of at least one FEI competition during the ‘Masters’ with their Grand Prix horse.
Then, the remaining spots are up for grabs:
TELUS Cup | Wednesday, 9 September
Top 3 riders
ATCO Cup | Thursday, 10 September
Top 3 riders
Top 30 athletes in the ATCO Cup also qualify for the Suncor Cup Winning Round on Sunday.
Cardel Homes Cup | Wednesday, 9 September
Top 3 riders + points*
CANA Cup | Thursday, 10 September
Top 3 riders + points*
Tourmaline Oil Cup | Friday, 11 September
Top 3 riders not already qualified
BMO Nations’ Cup | Saturday, 12 September
Riders who finish the first round with 4 faults or less
*Cardel Homes Cup and CANA Cup, points are awarded based on finishing position: 1st – 50 points, 2nd – 48 points, 3rd – 47 points, 4th – 46 points, and so on.
With only 40 athletes earning a spot in Sunday’s (13 September) CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex, every round, every rail and every point could make the difference.
And with the Suncor Cup Winning Round also on the line, there will be plenty of show jumping action all week!
SCHEDULE
Wednesday, 9 September: Opening Day
Opening day of the ‘Masters’ is always an exciting one, as many horses and riders make their first trip through the iconic Clock Tower and onto the International Ring. The day features top-level competition, including the TELUS Cup 1.50m and the Cardel Homes Cup 1.55m. The top three finishers in each competition are guaranteed a spot in Sunday’s CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex.
Thursday, 10 September: Senior’s Day
Seniors 65+ receive complimentary admission to the grounds, where they can enjoy a full day of world-class show jumping. The ATCO Cup 1.50m and CANA Cup 1.60m will showcase top international competition, with athletes looking to secure valuable results and qualify for Sunday’s feature events.
Friday, 11 September: TELUS Evening of the Horse, ‘Masters’ After Dark
Friday’s TELUS Evening of the Horse will light up the International Ring, with thousands of glow wands distributed to fans around the stadium as anticipation builds for an unforgettable night of show jumping and entertainment. The evening will centre on the ATCO Electric Six Bar. In 2025, two combinations cleared a record-breaking 2.13 metres—nearly seven feet—toppling a mark that had stood for 21 years. This September, the jumps will rise again.
Following the final round, Germany’s Celle Stallions will enter the International Ring before the night culminates with fireworks accompanied by live music from His Majesty's Band of the Welsh Guards from London, England.
Rewind to earlier in the day, athletes will have already had opportunities to compete in the Paramount Resources Cup 1.45m and the Tourmaline Oil Cup 1.60m. Both competitions are qualifying for events held on Sunday (Friends of the Meadows CSI2* Grand Prix and CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex respectively).
Saturday, 12 September: BMO Nations’ Cup
Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United States and Canada will compete for one of show jumping’s most coveted team titles. Medallists from the FEI World Championships Germany (Gold), Belgium (Silver) and Great Britain (Bronze) will feature in the competition with Great Britain looking to retain their BMO Nations’ Cup title from 2025.
The International Ring will be divided into nine fan sections, one for each nation. Fans can enter the Wear Your Colours Costume Contest for a share of $10,000 in cash prizes, while the section supporting the winning team will also receive a prize.
Athletes from all nine nations will take part in the BMO Nations’ Cup Team Autograph Signing Friday in the Equi-Plex.
Sunday, 13 September: Suncor Winning Round and The $5 Million CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex
Only the top 30 qualified from earlier in the week have a chance at the Suncor Winning Round where no matter the number of clear rounds, only the top ten return for the winning round. A great way to kick off Sunday at Spruce Meadows!
In the afternoon, Richard Vogel will enter the International Ring one victory away from completing the Rolex Grand Slam. A win would make him only the second rider in history to achieve it, and the second to do so at Spruce Meadows. If successful, Vogel will also receive a € 1,000,000 bonus.
Sunday will also encourage guests to wear green, with $5 of each Sunday admission proceeds directed to the Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation.
His Majesty’s Band of the Welsh Guards will travel from London, England, bringing the music and pageantry of one of Britain’s most celebrated military bands to Spruce Meadows throughout the tournament.
Germany’s Celle Stallions will make their first appearance at Spruce Meadows since 2015. Representing the Celle State Stud and a breeding program dating back more than 280 years, the stallions will present demonstrations of classical horsemanship throughout the week.
The Blacksmith World Championships will bring farriers from 15 countries to Spruce Meadows for five days of competition, $176,000 in prize money and the title of World Champion. Competitors will be tested in forging, shoeing, speed and precision before the championship is decided Sunday.
More than 100+ local vendors will be located across the grounds, while the Nutrien Horizons Fine Art Pavilion will showcase work from more than 25 fine artists.
From Friday through Sunday, guests can also experience Lord Strathcona’s Horse Musical Ride, equestrian vaulting, corgi races, dachshund dash, the Spruce Meadows Prairie Dogs, live music, and more. The Kids’ Zone will feature pony rides, bouncy castles, mini animals, face painting and more.
The 2026 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament runs 9-13 September.
--ENDS--
Photo of Hello Jefferson and groom David Honnet - by Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko
List of participating horses and riders here
Schedule here
Livestream here
Livestream on Clipmyhorse
Read our report from the 2025 Masters here