Duchess of Edinburgh named royal patron at Alberta show horse venue

By Canadian Press on April 9, 2025.

CALGARY — One of Canada’s most celebrated show jumping venues now has the royal seal of approval.

Spruce Meadows, just south of Calgary, has announced that Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, is its royal patron.

The venue was named the top show jumping facility in the world in 2001 and 2003.

It hosts eight major outdoor tournaments and six indoor tournaments over the course of a year and is marking its 50th anniversary.

Spruce Meadows president and chief executive officer Linda Southern-Heathcott says it applied for the prestigious patronage.

She says Sophie and her husband, Prince Edward, visited in 2006 and the duchess has been invited to return this year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 9, 2025.

The Canadian Press

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