Richard Spooner is an internationally successful equestrian. He competes in the sport of show jumping on the West Coast of the United States and in Europe. In June 2006 at Spruce Meadows, he cleared the $1-million mark, the 10th rider to reach that milestone in the show's history.
Equestrianism, more often known as horse riding or horseback riding, refers to the skill and sport of riding, driving, steeplechasing or vaulting with horses. This broad description includes the use of horses for practical working purposes, transportation, recreational activities, artistic or cultural exercises, and competitive sport.
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping", "open jumping", or simply "jumping", is a part of a group of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics. Sometimes shows are limited exclusively to jumpers, sometimes jumper classes are offered in conjunction with other English-style events, and sometimes show jumping is but one division of very large, all-breed competitions that include a very wide variety of disciplines. Jumping classes may be governed by various national horse show sanctioning organizations, such as the United States Equestrian Federation in the USA or the British Showjumping Association in Great Britain. International competitions are governed by the rules of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.
Spruce Meadows is an equestrian facility near Calgary, Alberta built by the Southern Family and opened in 1976. The show jumping complex is in the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains just south of the city and comprises 360 acres (1.5 km2). The current president of Spruce Meadows is Linda Southern-Heathcott, a former Olympian who competed in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games for the Canadian Olympic Team.
Robinson is a horse ridden by the American show jumper Richard Spooner.
Hilton Flight (1993-2009) was a horse ridden in international show jumping by Richard Spooner. He stood 17.0 hh (173 cm). He was bred by Jennifer Giles, Kilmurray, Kilmacanogue, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Major career wins and achievements
Richard Spooner riding Cristallo, 2007 World Cup Final
2005
Winner – (Quirino 3) $50,000 HBO World Cup Grand Prix of Del Mar 1 October
Winner – (Ezrah) $30,000 AriatGrand Prix 4 February
Ariat International is a premium performance footwear, apparel and accessories brand for equestrian sports and other outdoor activities, located in Union City, California. Ariat was founded by Beth Cross and Pam Parker in 1993. They saw an opportunity to revolutionize footwear for English and western riders to develop riding boots with "advanced athletic shoe technology and construction" to improve performance, fit and comfort both in the saddle and on the ground.
Winner – (Hilton Flight) $75,000 WCQ Grand Prix 6 February
Winner – (Quirino 3 and Millennium Tied) $30,000 AriatGrand Prix 13 February
Winner – (Ezrah) $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix March 11
Winner - (Ezrah) $150,000 Ford World Cup Grand Prix March 13
Winner - Bronze and Silver Medals from the USET for winning over Twelve medal classes throughout 1998
Reserve Champion American Horse Show Association Equitation Finals
Reserve Champion ASPCA National Equitation Championships
Voted Best Junior Rider in the Nation (Horses Magazine)
1987
Qualified for all major Equitation Finals
Ninth Place American Horse Show Association Equitation Finals
1986
Winner - (Reserve Bid) Los Angeles Horse Show Association Equitation Finals
Related Research Articles
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The CSIO Spruce Meadows' 'Masters' Tournament is an annual fall equestrian show jumping event held in Calgary, Alberta. It is highlighted by the BMO Financial Group Nations' Cup which offers a C$350,000 purse and is notable as "richest team show jumping event in the world" and also by the C$1,000,000 CN International. Total purse amounts for the Spruce Meadows 'Masters' amount to over $2 million making it one of the richest show jumping events in the world.
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Peter Wylde is an American show jumping competitor and Olympic champion.
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The 2010 Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament was the 2010 edition of the CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament, the Canadian official show jumping horse show at Spruce Meadows. It was held as CSIO 5*.
The FEI World Cup Dressage Final is an annual international dressage series involving the world's best dressage horses and riders. It has been held since 1985.
The 2011 Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament was the 2011 edition of the CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament, the Canadian official show jumping horse show at Spruce Meadows. It is held as CSIO 5*.
Scott Brash MBE is a Scottish showjumper. He has been riding the horse Hello Sanctos since early 2012. They competed as part of the British Team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London winning a gold medal in the team jumping event. In 2015 he became the first rider to win show jumping's Rolex Grand Slam, all three of the sport's most prestigious events in a single year, earning the sport's biggest individual prize of 1m Euros (£735,000).
Olivier Philippaerts is a Belgian show jumping rider. He is a native of Genk, Limburg, Belgium. He is the son of Ludo Philippaerts and twin brother of Nicola Philippaerts, both show jumping riders as well.
Kent Farrington is a professional show jumping rider for the United States who is one of the top ranked riders in the world.
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, is a unique initiative, which unites the four Major tournaments:
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