Spruce Meadows - Calgary

2016 Spruce Meadows experiences tremendous loss

January 6, 2016 – passing of Spruce Meadows Riding Master Albert Kley (1943-2016). Celebration of Life held in Congress Hall on January 15.

KLEY, Albert
January 8, 1943 – Nassenheide, Germany
January 6, 2016 – Calgary, Alberta 

It is with heavy hearts that we are left to face the sudden passing of Albert Kley. With family by his side, Albert passed away on the evening of January 6, 2016 at the age of 72. A remarkable husband, father, grandfather, mentor, friend and horseman, Albert will be sorely missed. Albert was born in Nassenheide, Germany and grew up in the farming community of Holtrup. From an early age, Albert's passion for the horse was evident - exchanging chores with a local farmer every day after school for the opportunity to ride. Albert's mother worked tirelessly to enable Albert to attend the Landreitschule Hoya (State Riding School in Hoya). There, Albert acquired the fundamental skills of horsemanship that brought him many successes in his show jumping career and that he, in turn, would pass on to generations of students. Albert's life and career in Canada began in 1971 when he was selected to come to Calgary to introduce the Hanoverian horse to the small, but enthusiastic, show jumping community at St. George's Stables and subsequently, to assist the Southern family in the planning and creation of Spruce Meadows. Speaking no English, only the language of horsemanship, Albert began a grand adventure that would take him across Canada and around the world. This journey included sharing his love of the horse with royal audiences, heads of state, school children, cowboys, corporate audiences, and anyone who came through the stable. His one-year contract, never officially extended, lasted more than 40 years. Albert had a profound impact on all those he met. His influence on the sport of show jumping, and the community at large, was monumental. Albert was instrumental in the creation and building of Spruce Meadows and a major contributor to its international legacy. Albert was the consummate horseman. As a rider, Albert's resume included more than 50 Grand Prix titles around the world. His achievements were recognized by the German Equestrian Federation with its highest honor, the Goldenes Reitabzeichen (Gold Badge of Achievement in Show jumping). As a coach and trainer, Albert developed generations of horses and riders that represented Canada proudly and successfully at the Olympic Games, major championships and, of course, at Spruce Meadows itself. Albert's teachings will continue through the thousands of lives he touched and knew during his courageous life and accomplished career. Albert was a man of simple pleasures. His friends, his farm, good food, a cold beer, his horses and his family all brought about a twinkle in his eye and his infectious signature smile. Albert's greatest pleasure came from his family. His sweetheart and loving wife of 41 years Judy, son Stevie, and his cherished grandchildren Ella and James were the light of his life. Albert is survived by his wife Judy; son Steven; daughter-in-law Ashley; grandchildren Ella and James; sister Annette; and extended family members in both Western Canada and Germany. 

January 21, 2016 – passing of Spruce Meadows Founder Ronald D. Southern (1930-2016). Funeral Service held in Riding Hall on January 28.

SOUTHERN, Ronald Donald
C.C., C.B.E., A.O.E., B.Sc., LL.D July 25, 1930 – January 21, 2016

It is with sadness we announce the passing of Ron Southern on January 21 in Calgary. He lived an extraordinary life building and accomplishing what very few can dream of. He is survived by his loving wife Margaret (nee Visser) and his two daughters whom he adored; Nancy (Jonathan Asselin) and Linda (Tom Heathcott) and grandchildren Kelly Koss-Brix (Brian), Kyle Koss, Ben Asselin, Patrick Heathcott, Ronald Heathcott and Charlie Heathcott. Ron is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. Born Ronald Donald Southern on July 25, 1930 in Calgary, Alberta, Ron was predeceased by his parents Ina and Donald Southern. Ron lived in Calgary but traveled the world extensively his entire adult life. He was a proud Canadian and loved his Alberta roots. As a young man he was a gifted athlete who loved sports and played hockey, football and basketball. Ron left Calgary after graduating from Crescent Heights High School to attend the University of Alberta. He completed his Bachelor of Science from the Faculty of Medicine in 1953.While still in high school, he founded Alberta Trailer Co. in 1947 with his father Samuel Donald. Starting with five people the enterprise today - ATCO Group - has grown to more than 8,000 employees worldwide. Ron was a self-made businessman who became a respected giant of Canadian commerce. His success included gas and electrical utility companies, midstream, drilling, pipelines, logistics, manufacturing, workforce housing sales, leasing, maintenance and operations. ATCO Ltd. and Canadian Utilities Limited, which ATCO acquired and repatriated in 1980, have done business in more than 100 countries around the world primarily through its Structures and Logistics businesses that provide workforce housing and other infrastructure solutions. The firms' utilities businesses operate in Canada, Australia the United Kingdom, and Mexico. Ron and his wife Margaret of sixty-one years were the vision and driving force behind the creation, construction and operations of Spruce Meadows, which is widely recognized as the leading show jumping facility in the world. Since opening in 1975, Spruce Meadows has hosted athletes from more than 60 nations and attracted 10.2 million fans. In addition to acting as Chairman of the Board of ATCO, Canadian Utilities and AKITA Drilling Ltd. for decades, Ron actively enjoyed his time on the Boards of Directors of a number of Canada's most prestigious companies including: Canadian Pacific Limited, Chrysler Canada, Imasco, Lafarge Canada, Royal and Sun Alliance (RSA), Trimac, Pacific Western Airlines, Canadian Pacific Airlines, Canadian Airlines, Xerox Canada, Mercantile Bank, Canadian Export Development Corporation, Southam Inc., Crown Zellerback, and Fletcher Challenge. Numerous awards were bestowed upon Ron for his remarkable efforts, achievements and contributions including: Companion of the Order of Canada 2007, Alberta Order of Excellence 2012, The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal 2002, The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal 2012 and The Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service 2013. A lifelong sportsman, Ron was recognized as the Calgary Booster Club Sportsman of the Year in 1986. He was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, and the Canada Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.In 2013 he was named honorary chief of the Tsuu T'ina Nation and given the name Chief Sorrel Horse. Ron was also recognized as an Internationalist. In 1990 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II bestowed on him a member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to Anglo–Canadian relations and in 1995 he was promoted to the level of Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands inducted him into the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2006 and honoured him with the Holland Trade Award in 1985 in recognition of his substantial contributions to the Dutch Foreign economic relations. Ron received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta in 1991 and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Calgary in 1976.In 2007 he was inducted into the Canadian Manufacturing Hall of Fame. In 1996 Ron was recognized by the Financial Post as the CEO of the Year in Canada. In 1990 the University of Manitoba recognized him as the International Distinguished Entrepreneur and in 1986 the University of Alberta recognized Ron as the Businessman of the Year. Ron traveled the world and met most of the business leaders in those countries as well as many of the political leaders of the 20th century. He took a great interest in the people and the cultures where he visited and his vast memory could recall the most extraordinary details. He cherished his many years on the Trilateral Commission. He valued education, reading newspapers, and loved books. Most weeks he would devour at least two or three on a variety of subjects from military biographies and autobiographies to mysteries, outer space, national and international leaders, but his greatest reading enjoyment and inspiration came from books by and about Winston Churchill. He collected these and never tired of Winston Churchill quotations, speeches and proclamations. Ron was a proud Royalist and was delighted when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II came to Spruce Meadows in 1990 to inaugurate the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. This spawned a relationship that took Ron to Buckingham Palace on numerous occasions as a guest. At various times it allowed for the opportunity to introduce his daughters and grandchildren to Her Majesty. Ron lived a life full of adventure. He was loved, respected and admired by many and will be in our hearts forever. 

‘North American’ tournament is officially presented by Rolex

Construction completed on International Ring Terrace for the ‘Masters’

Jumps added to Championship inventory from the Summer Olympics in Rio

CP International prize money jumps from a posted $2 million total prize money to $3 million just prior to the event. The winner, Scott Brash (GBR), took home a check of $1 million.