(SPRUCE MEADOWS, Calgary, AB): The list of riders who have won a million dollars in prize money at Spruce Meadows reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Show Jumping’s finest - and why shouldn’t it? The only way to get your name on that list is through years of hard work and dedication to the sport.
Gracing the list are riders like Canada’s Ian Millar, who sits on top of the list as the only rider to break the $2 Million mark. But amidst the galaxy of Show Jumping stars, new names are beginning to appear.
American athletes Richard Spooner and Leslie Howard are the newest inductees in to the Million Dollar Winner’s list. Spooner’s performance in the ATCO Structures Winning Round and the Shell Cup as well as several other competitions at the “National” Tournament pushed his cumulative earnings to a total of $1,020,498.
Before the “National”, Howard’s total prize money was $989,114.16. She ended up having a spectacular week, earning $14,975 which was more than enough to give her the boost she needed. She now joins the ranks with the likes of Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Beezie Madden (USA), Ludger Beerbaum (GER) and Nick Skelton (GBR).
And while he’s not quite there yet, with another tournament like the 2006 “National”, Eric Lamaze will soon be a member of the prestigious club. Lamaze won over $100,000 last week and he only needs to repeat that performance to get his name on the list.
This week’s “Continental” Tournament is the perfect chance for Lamaze to catch up to the rest of the pack. Big purses are up for grabs, including $100,000 in prize money in Sunday’s CN Performance World Cup which takes place on Meadows on the Green at 2:00pm.
The Spruce Meadows $1 Million Dollar Club currently includes:
Ian Millar (CAN) $2,213,255.77
Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) $1,571,361.60
Beezie Madden (USA) $1,458,815.00
Ludger Beerbaum (GER) $1,406,075.00
Nick Skelton (GBR) $1,300,025.00
Rich Fellers (USA) $1,301,551.90
Michael Whitaker (GBR) $1,040,385.00
John Whitaker (GBR) $1,034,910.00
Hap Hansen (USA) $1,008,107.69
Richard Spooner (USA) $1,020,498.63
Leslie Howard (USA) $1,004,089.16
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