Spruce Meadows has with great sadness announced the passing of its founder and co-chairman, Ronald D. Southern. Mr. Southern passed away on January 21, 2016.

In April of 1975 the Southern family officially opened Spruce Meadows. Over the last 40 years, Spruce Meadows, as a result of the leadership and vision of Ron Southern, has become an iconic sports venue and is today recognized as one of the leading venues in the world for international show jumping.

On their website, the Spruce Meadows team writes that his 'simple recipe of “Good Friendship, Good Commerce and Good Sport” has provided valuable guidance and a wonderful platform for Spruce Meadows through the decades. So too has his genuine lifelong commitment to excellence, which he brought to everything in his life.'

Source: Media release from Spruce Meadows