Horses arrive to Spruce Meadows wearing championship blankets from year’s past
© Spruce Meadows Media/Rylee Smolarchuk
September 7, 2026 (Spruce Meadows) — Nine of the world’s top team show jumpers will take centre stage at the 2026 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ for the BMO Nations’ Cup (Saturday, Sept, 12) where national pride, powerhouse teams and one coveted trophy collide.
Belgium,, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United States and of course, Canada, will go head-to-head in one of show jumping’s most prestigious team competitions.
Great Britain returns as the defending BMO Nations’ Cup champion (and silver medalists at the 2026 World Championships), looking to once again conquer the International Ring and keep the trophy in British hands. After their exciting 2025 victory in front of Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Edinburgh, the pressure is on as nine nations line up for another unforgettable battle.
Team Great Britain celebrated victory in the 2025 BMO Nations’ Cup in front of Her Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh. © Spruce Meadows Media/Mark Spowart
But they’ll have plenty of competition. Team Germany arrives with serious momentum, fresh from a gold-medal performance at the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, while Belgium also brings championship pedigree after claiming bronze.
The BMO Nations’ Cup unfolds over two high-pressure rounds, with every fence carrying the weight of national pride. All nine teams and their athletes will take on Round One, with the competition quickly narrowing as the scores come in. Only the top six teams, determined by their three best combined scores, will advance to Round Two.
After two rounds, any teams tied for first after two rounds chooses one rider (from each tied team) to return to the ring for a jump off.
Nine nations. Two rounds. One trophy. Who will you be cheering for?
Competition Highlights
Valclav Stanek (CZE) and Quintin tied for first in the 2025 ATCO Electric Six Bar and set a new record of 2.13m© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
Wednesday, September 19: 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, September 10: 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, September 11: 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, September 12: 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. Medalists from the 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, September 13: 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 encouraged guests to wear green, with $5 of each Sunday admission proceeds directed to the Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation.
International Entertainment Arrives in Calgary
Germany’s Celle Stallions © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk
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 to Experience Across the Grounds
Corgi Races are back for the ‘Masters’ © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko
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 September 9–13 in Calgary. Tickets and the complete tournament schedule are available at SpruceMeadows.com/Masters.
