In an era where North American investors are aggressively acquiring European sports franchises, one Canadian business leader is charting a different course. Linda Southern-Heathcott, chief of the sprawling Spruce Meadows sporting empire and owner of Cavalry FC, remains firmly committed to investing in Canadian talent and infrastructure.
A Canadian Institution Turns 50
Spruce Meadows, the world-renowned equestrian facility in Calgary, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year having opened in 1975. Southern-Heathcott likens its flagship event, the Spruce Meadows Masters presented by Rolex, to golf's Open Championship - a premier event that stands apart in a sport where most majors occur overseas.
The 1996 Olympian reveals that twenty founding partners maintain ties with the Calgary jumping event five decades later, attributing this remarkable loyalty to shared belief in the product, support for Canada, and a foundation built on trust.
Building on Trust and Canadian Values
Southern-Heathcott strikes a refreshing note when discussing business philosophy, emphasizing deals sealed with a handshake and one's word. "We have to fight to keep that and get that back," she insists. "Trust is everything and it's very hard to keep, and you have to fight for it - the trust and the respect."
This attitude has driven Spruce Meadows to evolve into a 365-day venue, expanding beyond equestrian events to include football, retail, and dining establishments. After two decades in leadership, Southern-Heathcott is now contemplating legacy projects, potentially including a concert hall, hotel, or Nordic spa, though she acknowledges space constraints as Calgary develops around the facility.
Buckling the Continental Trend
While American ownership dominates European football - with half of Premier League clubs under significant US control - Southern-Heathcott's approach remains distinctly Canadian. Her family's publicly-traded ATCO Ltd boasts a market capitalization exceeding $6 billion, yet they've chosen to invest domestically rather than pursue European sports acquisitions.
This commitment was recently demonstrated through Cavalry FC, the Canadian Premier League side founded in 2018. The team narrowly missed CONCACAF Champions Cup qualification after a dramatic 2-1 loss to Atletico Ottawa in league finals played during a blizzard.
Addressing broader Canadian-American tensions, including former President Donald Trump's suggestion that Canada become "our cherished Fifty First State," Southern-Heathcott sees value in adversity. "The challenge of some of the things that have happened south of the border has really had all of Canada say that we can stand up for ourselves, and we are," she states. "We're a sovereign nation and we will stand alone, thank you very much."
This patriotic stance has proven successful for Spruce Meadows, which appears stronger than ever after fifty years of operation. As Southern-Heathcott philosophically notes, "It is difficult to swim upstream with the salmon, it is easier to swim downstream," yet her empire continues to thrive by championing Canadian values and investment in domestic sport.
