Leone Has Landed: Reigning CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex, champion Leone Jei enjoying a well-deserved treat with groom, Sean Vard, at the International Animal Lounge.
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
September 1, 2025 (Calgary, AB)—A SECOND Boeing 747 delivered 47 equine athletes to YYC this morning, meaning a record 98 total horses have now arrived from Europe in Calgary to compete in the 50th Anniversary Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’.
Many of those arriving today, including Rolex Grand Slam live contender Leone Jei, will vie for top spot in Sunday’s $5M CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex, with the biggest single-day event prize purse in Canada this year, and the biggest ever in show jumping.
A number of them will also compete in front of Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Edinburgh, the new Royal Patron of Spruce Meadows, who also arrives this week to attend the ‘Masters’, taking place from Wednesday (Sept. 3) to Sunday (Sept. 7).
Several of today’s horses, along with some of the 51 that landed in Saturday’s first charter flight, will also compete in fan-favourite competitions such as the ATCO Electric Six Bar on Friday, and the BMO Nations’ Cup on Saturday.
Accompanied by a host of professional grooms and vets from the moment of boarding in Liege, Belgium, today’s horses were welcomed at the world-class facilities of the International Animal Lounge at Calgary International Airport, before heading to the Spruce Meadows stables.
Elsewhere on the vast Spruce Meadows grounds, a new Labour Day event, Preview to the ‘Masters’, was in full swing.
“This impressive passenger list of horses is testament to the level of excitement there is globally, and within the equine sport world, for the 50th Anniversary Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’,” said Ian Allison, Senior Vice President of Sport and Media Services.
“The prize money is significant, and also record breaking, creating enormous buzz. Adding to that, the BMO Nations’ Cup is the sport’s most coveted annual team competition.
“These are just a few of the many ways Spruce Meadows is pulling out all the stops, from the sport, to the stunning grounds, and the incredible entertainment and military offerings.
“We are also very much looking forward to welcoming Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Edinburgh, later this week. All in all, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable experience Calgarians and fans from around the world will not want to miss.”
Champion mounts representing Ireland, Germany, Brazil, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and the United States were on board today. Rolex Grand Slam live contender Martin Fuch’s (SUI) mount, Leone Jei; 2021 CPKC ‘International’, presented by Rolex winner Venard de Cerisy (Steve Guerdat, Switzerland); and Daniel Deusser’s (GER) Olympic mount Otello de Guldenboom are just a few of the horses set to compete this week at the ‘Masters’.
Thank you to all the staff at YYC, Air Canada Cargo, CBSA, CFIA, Film Logic Customs Brokers, Swissport, Overseas Horse Services, International Animal Lounge, Stateside Farms Inc., CEVA Logistics in Liège, Belgium and all our volunteers for their help in getting these athletes safely to Spruce Meadows ahead of this week’s competitions.
