Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, named royal patron at Alberta show horse venue [Video]

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

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

An application was filed asking for patronage based on the merits of the venue.

“It’s not like you go online and apply,” Spruce Meadows president and chief executive Linda Southern-Heathcott said with a laugh.

“We wrote a very lovely letter and the team put together the application. It just talked about our merits, what we’ve been doing in the community.”

The Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation supports education, health and wellness, agriculture, community, and amateur and grassroots sports.

The venue was named the top show jumping facility in the world in 2001 and 2003. It has become a fixture for the world’s best riders and horses, including several Olympic champions.

It hosts eight major outdoor and six indoor tournaments over a year and …