The North American Riders Group Board has recently announced its NARG Top 25 Shows for 2014. Similar to the previous year, the 2014 NARG evaluations focused primarily on each competition’s jumper aspects and gave 10 bonus points to shows that offered purses at or above $500,000, as well as points for shows that were approved for Fédération Équestre Internationale classes. These adjustments may have altered the rankings to a degree, but the aspects of superb footing, stabling, course design and overall venue are still the most significant factors.

Canada claimed the first, second and fifth spots this year, plus a new Canadian management made the list in the 11th and 25th positions. The highest marks once again go to Spruce Meadows (Alberta), a venue that exemplifies excellence. The No. 2 ranking again goes to the tremendous Thunderbird Show Park (British Columbia). The Royal Winter Fair, in downtown Toronto, Ontario, also ranked high, and Rocky Mountain Show Jumping’s new venture, Royal West in downtown Calgary, earned a spot in the rankings in its first year.

The top two U.S. shows on the Top 25 list this year sit third and fourth. The American Gold Cup at Old Salem Farm (N.Y.) remained in the third spot for the second year in a row. Jumping its way in as the highest-ranking indoor event on the list this year is EEM’s Los Angeles Masters, scoring a 90 percent. The higher scores trend ramped up quite a bit this year, with 21 events scoring 80 percent or higher, compared to 11 in 2013. 

For the third year, NARG recognized the Specialty Equestrian Events. These shows offer high-level invitational show jumping, often raising significant money for charity. Popular one-day events, they attract a large audience, increasing exposure for equestrian sport. Held in superb settings, the Specialty Events are a unique and much-needed change of pace in our competition schedule. Four events made the list this year, with the No. 1 spot awarded once again to the New Albany Classic in New York, a show jumping day surrounded by community activities. The Trump Invitational (Fla.) earned a very close second position, with fantastic footing that withstood a torrential downpour. 

See all of the top 25, along with a detailed report of their scores, on the NARG website.