The big news first at The canadian National Show Jumping at Spruce Meadows over the weekend i was lucky enough to come away with a Red Rossette (first place). see photo. (www.sprucemeadows.com)
The day started well before the show jumping with attendance at the largest stampede breakfast at Chinook Shopping Mall.
With so many in attendance one must be patient or did they get it right. Yes well over 50 serving points for pancakes none of which were burnt. A seperate area for sausages and well away from the serving area masses of raspberries & blueberries as topping incase you breakfast taste isn't gummi bears, smarties,M&M's and cream.
Also another area was set up for coffee and yes it was ready to go.
Children had a seperate area of a variety of activities including free Lego not only t play with but to take home.All worked well except for my pet hate and also occurred at Spruce Meadows. Why is it that the majority of people of Asian descent are rude and pushy showing no respect to those around them They pushed into the que grabbed more food and Lego then other groups and always the response was "No speak English?.Similiar disrespect we often encounter on the North Coast of New South Wales with the Indian people, you hear them talking in their old or grandparents home language so you approach them trying to make tourists welcome only to be told "we live in Woolgoolga!

A short drive from the South East of Calgary to the South West had us passing continual retail developments and road works until we arrived at Spruce Meadows show jumping complex.
Parking is plentiful and free as is admission always for Seniors and usually only $5 for adult admission unless you have reserved seats. We were met in the car park by a shuttle and delivered complete with complimentary $35 per seat tickets to a covered grandstand.

While the past 5 days have hosted the Canadian Nationals this was the Road to Rio trials but involved around 7 nations as the Canadian Olympic hopefuls battled for those elusive rides at the 2016 Olympics.

today however feature event was the Queen Elizabeth II cup and derversingly had the pomp and military experience befitting a Monach and the event named after her. The Queen was not present but represented by The Leuitant Governor Lois Mitchell and her husband. A Royals Guards guard of Honour was present along with the finest of the Canadian Military. That is the reason why the appeared in The Calgary Stampede yesterday as they were in Calgary for the QEII Cup.

Having already made comment and contact with the Military yesterday I was given a guided tour of the Leopard 2A4 tank that performed the burn outs at yesterday's parade using it's Supercharged 1500 horse power engne. A rare privledge.

The set up at Spruce Meadows is purpose built and caters for some of the most prestige horse events in North American and can run a number of National & International events at the one time without conflicting on each other.
The spacous grounds well gardens feature manicured lawns,statues usually of a equestrian nature and often in full size replicas, marching bands, trade exhibits, food courts and stabling all in ne area. Few cities could rival this complex.

I was able to witness the arrivial of the Official party the inspection of the Guard of Honour a live fire salute not once but four times without a protester from the anti gun lobby around.The Soldiers of Sam Steele rode around the grounds of the complex and posed with their treasurered Wincester rifles.
The main event saw a fierce battle between hopeful future Olympians from Canada, the United States, Ireland, Mexico, Japan and the Middle Eastern countries. The US triumphed in first place but Canada took 2nd and US the third spot.

The accompaning photographs will take you on a visual jouney from the Chinook Stampede breakfast until we rode off into the sunset and home to Calgary.




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