Weather at Spruce Meadows - what to pack!

[Hunter/JumperMom]

So daughter is headed to Spruce for three weeks to work and ride! I hear horror stories over the weather. She is cramming to get school work done and her finals over with, leaving 9 days before school is out, so time is not on her side right now. Plus keep showing while home and a wedding she is in! So mom is stepping in and helping her get organized!

So what does she need to pack!

She will be riding and grooming daily, so will be in her riding pants and prob tall boots or paddocks and half chaps every day.

I am hearing it could be freezing, snowing, raining, sunny, humid, etc! Should she just pack for everything imaginable? Luckily westjet allows 2 bags!!

any suggestions of must haves?

[Pirateer]

In my experience, Alberta weather is ridiculous. What time of summer will she be there? midJuly to August is the worst and COLD. June is ok but definitely be prepared for anything!

[Hunter/JumperMom]

In my experience, Alberta weather is ridiculous. What time of summer will she be there? midJuly to August is the worst and COLD. June is ok but definitely be prepared for anything!


She arrives 6/14 for three weeks!

[winter]

Well, it could be hot and sunny or cold and snowing or raining.....
For the National, rain is almost guaranteed, so a raincoat for sure.
When it's not raining it will be very sunny so sunglasses and a hat.
A warm fleece/sweater and toque as well!

You just never know.....it was snowing yesterday but is sunny and gorgeous today.

[Hunter/JumperMom]

thanks, will figure out how to pack, may send a trunk or large duffle up with the horses with her rain/snow gear in it!!

[adelmo95]

Having lived in Alberta almost my entire life and shown at the various Spruce shows. My best advice is to bring things that you can layer. The weather here can change quickly from cold and rainy to hot and sunny so your best bet is to have enough layers to keep you warm if it is miserable, but to also be able to lighten up what you are wearing if the weather changes. Also for the National generally speaking a waterproof rain jacket can be you r best friend for atleast a couple of days...

[Ibex]

Lots of layers with somethine waterproof on top!

Warm boots, gloves.

[Angel Undercover]

Yep, layers layers layers. A waterproof jacket, and a lightweight yet fairly warm jacket as well. I would also suggest muck boots.

[KitKat987]

Well I live less than 10 minutes from SM. And it snowed here yesterday....... But really, it SHOULD be decent from here on in :-) I wouldn't bet big money on it, but the forecast is looking good and the flowers are blooming. I was riding in a t-shirt this afternoon. Certainly bring a waterproof jacket (no need for winter jackets this time of year) and some rubber boots or muck boots since we usually get most of our rain (which isn't necessarily much...but you never know) come June. Oh, and it does tend to cool down overnight even if it is quite warm during the day. I rarely go anywhere without a fleece sweater this time of year, just in case, so I'd suggest a few of those too. Hope she has fun and takes a break to get out to the mountains while she's here.

[Go Fish]

The year I went up I lived in my down vest. Also got a lot of use out of my GorTex rain jacket. Some sort of waterproof boot that you can walk in. Several pairs of gloves because you'll have one pair drying out at all times. Sunscreen if you tend to burn...chap stick for windy days. Sunglasses if you're sensitive.

I just remember being cold all the time, even on sunny days. I didn't find it paticularly humid on sunny days.

She'll have a blast...lucky girl! :D

[Come Shine]

Ditto the above! All the best to your daughter!! Lucky girl.

[Melzy]

thanks, will figure out how to pack, may send a trunk or large duffle up with the horses with her rain/snow gear in it!!

Pack her bicycle. Your 13 year old daughter may have gotten away with driving a golf cart at USEF shows but remember Canada is a foreign country. As her parent, you need to realize the consequences to you, her guardian and/or trainer. That horror would be worse than the weather!

[je.suis]

Arcteryx makes tons of perfect outdoor clothing just for this occasion. Pricey, but well worth it. Lasts forever. The layer idea is the way to go. One day you'll peel three layers, another just the two ! LOL But she's young and the excitement of being there working and riding will keep her additionally warm during the cold mornings. I'm bringing a trunk just for me!

[Hunter/JumperMom]

Pack her bicycle. Your 13 year old daughter may have gotten away with driving a golf cart at USEF shows but remember Canada is a foreign country. As her parent, you need to realize the consequences to you, her guardian and/or trainer. That horror would be worse than the weather!


okay, as I said that was a bad example, she is almost 17, fully licensed and would not be driving a golf cart as she is working. And what that has to do with this thread I truly do not know?


To the others, thanks for the help, I found the rain pants, under armour, down vest, a couple rain coats, pulled her down northface jacket out, gloves for work, etc.! and her the the knees wellies!

[Giddy-up]

I've gone on 2 trips to SM to groom. From about June 20th for 3 weeks (the last 3 shows of the series).

2006--it was uncharastically dry. And consistently warm (high 20's-30's). I saw only ONE rainstorm the entire time we were there at the show. Everybody commented how rare it was. They were watering the rings often.

2008--it was cooler days & more rainy days. I don't know if I ever saw them water. I didn't wear my shorts quite as much, but it could still get warm.

My mornings start like this--wearing jeans, polo, fleece. Sometimes a windbreaker. In my back pack everyday I took a pair of shorts, socks, another set of sneakers & my raincoat (plus a plastic bag for anything wet or nasty dirty). DO NOT EVER leave your rain coat behind. :D My co-worker did the 1 day & of course it rained. I usually go thru my whole wardrobe thru out the day as the weather keeps changing.

I became a little OCD at the hotel watching the weather news. I'd watch at night & then check again in the morning so I knew some idea what to expect.

Tell your daughter to wear sunscreen--especially if they go to watch & are just sitting out. The sun is strong at that altitude. I got a little crispy sitting at Meadows on the Green one afternoon spectating.

I packed 1 turtleneck & a heavier jacket each time, but never wore it. Layers are very good. I love my fleeces so a couple of those. Jeans & polos were my staple. Couple shorts (longer with cargo pockets are great). Good socks & footwear. I take enough clothes for 1 week & then do laundry at the hotel.

Is there anyway she can send her luggage on the trailer with the horses? It's so much easier just to fly with an overnight bag plus no restrictions from the airlines.

Tell her to have fun! Going to SM is awesome! :cool:

[Hunter/JumperMom]

I've gone on 2 trips to SM to groom. From about June 20th for 3 weeks (the last 3 shows of the series).

2006--it was uncharastically dry. And consistently warm (high 20's-30's). I saw only ONE rainstorm the entire time we were there at the show. Everybody commented how rare it was. They were watering the rings often.

2008--it was cooler days & more rainy days. I don't know if I ever saw them water. I didn't wear my shorts quite as much, but it could still get warm.

My mornings start like this--wearing jeans, polo, fleece. Sometimes a windbreaker. In my back pack everyday I took a pair of shorts, socks, another set of sneakers & my raincoat (plus a plastic bag for anything wet or nasty dirty). DO NOT EVER leave your rain coat behind. :D My co-worker did the 1 day & of course it rained. I usually go thru my whole wardrobe thru out the day as the weather keeps changing.

I became a little OCD at the hotel watching the weather news. I'd watch at night & then check again in the morning so I knew some idea what to expect.

Tell your daughter to wear sunscreen--especially if they go to watch & are just sitting out. The sun is strong at that altitude. I got a little crispy sitting at Meadows on the Green one afternoon spectating.

I packed 1 turtleneck & a heavier jacket each time, but never wore it. Layers are very good. I love my fleeces so a couple of those. Jeans & polos were my staple. Couple shorts (longer with cargo pockets are great). Good socks & footwear. I take enough clothes for 1 week & then do laundry at the hotel.

Is there anyway she can send her luggage on the trailer with the horses? It's so much easier just to fly with an overnight bag plus no restrictions from the airlines.

Tell her to have fun! Going to SM is awesome! :cool:


Thanks!!! Luckily her trainer put her on a direct flight, so at least les likely to loose anything!! And surprisingly WestJet does allow two bags!! but I may try to get something on the trailer, like her wellies, riding boots, helmet and spurs, hoof pick and wrench (for taking caulks in and out!). This is a huge thing for her, she did Bromont and Ottawa last year and loved the atomosphere at those shows, but she also had a horse then. This time strictly grooming! Which she says will actually be easier than trying to show also, and help on the clothing!

[eclipse]

Pack for the heat (and it will get hot, we are an arid region here); pack for the rain & cold (it WILL rain). We do have a saying in Calgary "it's raining out, Spruce Meadows must be having a show" LOL She'll also need some rubber boots because when it rains the sand warmup rings will get very sloppy & soupy. They are saying that we are due for a nice hot summer, but so far there's no sign of it. Weather is crap right now, sunny today & tommorrow but now they are calling for more of that damn wet rain on Sunday again! Whoever said to layer & be prepared for anything is right on the money. Even on hot days, because of our altitude, it gets quite chilly in the morning & evenings. Most important, your daughter will have a blast & think she's died and gone to horse Disneyland (too bad I have a new young horse & won't be showing, we could of met up)!

[Giddy-up]

Most important, your daughter will have a blast & think she's died and gone to horse Disneyland (too bad I have a new young horse & won't be showing, we could of met up)!

I also refer to SM as "horse Disney". :lol: Everything is designed for the horse's benefit.

Make sure she takes a camera & tell her to always carry it. I keep mine stashed in a pocket cause you never know who or what you'll see! :yes: