Page 27 - AEF-AlbertaBits_Fall-2025

“
 Spruce Meadows is
essentially a gift back
to Alberta and Canada
and Calgary from the
Southern family,”­ — Ian Allison
like Veterans Food Bank or the building of a new arena in
Millarville after heavy snow caused the previous arena’s
roof to collapse. In 2024, in the wake of the wildfire that tore
through Jasper, the Foundation raised more than $73,000 to
support relief efforts through the Jasper Community Food
Bank and Jasper Community Team Society.
“The Leg Up Foundation really looks for these other
components that support education, health care, agriculture,
rural initiatives, those kinds of things that maybe aren’t
always the most high-profile, but are still important
community needs,” he says.
The Foundation also spearheads educational activities
to engage the next generation through programs like Lucy
Tries Soccer, which introduces students at underserved
Calgary-area schools to physical activity and literacy
through Cavalry FC and Lisa Bowes’ book Lucy Tries Soccer,
and through the school tours program, which brings
thousands of school-aged children to the property to learn
Photo by Bart Onyszko
about and engage with the horses each year.
“They learn not only about horses and Spruce
Meadows and the sport, but they learn about the urban-
rural interface now that the city’s right on the doorstep
here. They learn about the wetlands because we have
a magnificent wetland just to the east of us,” explains
Allison, adding that the educational initiative not only
strengthens children’s appreciation of equestrianism, but
also helps them to understand the world around them.
“A lot of these kids may not have had any experience
with agriculture understanding, they just think
everything arrives at the grocery store, so it’s good to
educate them about the whole production chain and how
that works.”
As the 50th anniversary year continues at Spruce
Meadows, all hands are on deck. The venue prepares to
once again host riders and teams from around the world
for the Masters Tournament. And while the excitement
builds for the fall tournament, Allison notes the venue
will continue to serve as the backdrop for countless more
exciting events going forward.
“I just see Spruce Meadows continuing to refine itself.
It’s always going to keep its identity of being a clean,
green, international, family-friendly and inviting place,”
he says.
“It’s always going to be a place that says to people,
‘When the gates are open, come on in and enjoy,’ because
it really is so many different things to different people.”
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