Horse Inspection Held at 2015 FEI World Cup™ Finals
The inspection for the dressage and jumping horses set to compete at the 2015 Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final and LONGINES FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final took place on Tuesday morning in the main arena at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The horses were presented to the FEI Ground Jury for inspection prior to the start of competition which takes place April 15-19. The FEI World Cup™ Finals has returned to the United States for the first time since 2009, and provides a unique opportunity to witness the world's best horses and riders in both show jumping and dressage competing under one roof.
All eighteen dressage horses set to compete in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final passed inspection including Valegro, the ride of Great Britain's Charlotte Dujardin, who is looking to reclaim the World Cup™ title they won last year's Final in Lyon, France. There was one tense moment when Spanish rider Morgan Barbancon Mestre's horse Painted Black got excited and broke loose, knocking his rider over. It took a few minutes for officials to catch the black stallion in the arena, but no one was injured in the incident including horse and rider.
The two former FEI World Cup™ Dressage Champions who will be looking to reclaim their title include Edward Gal of The Netherlands who claimed victory in 2010, and U.S. rider Steffen Peters who won the title in 2009 – the last time the FEI World Cup™ Finals were held in Las Vegas. Riders from nine countries will be represented at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final and include: Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Sweden and U.S.A.
The inspection for the jumping horses due to compete at the 2015 LONGINES FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final took place in the afternoon. Reigning champion Cornet d'Amour, passed inspection without issue and will be looking to reclaim the title with his rider Daniel Deusser of Germany. Of all 57 horses that were presented, only U.S. rider Will Simpson's horse, The Dude, was held for re-inspection which will take place today.
Riders from 19 countries will be competing for the coveted LONGINES FEI World Cup™ Jumping trophy, and include three-time World Cup™ champion Marcus Ehning of Germany (2010, 2006, 2003) , as well as U.S. riders Rich Fellers who was crowned Champion in 2012, and Beezie Madden who claimed victory in 2013. The countries represented include: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Spain, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Qatar, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden and U.S.A.
The Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage Final includes Thursday afternoon's Grand Prix and Saturday afternoon's Grand Prix Freestyle as well as the Las Vegas Dressage Showcase on Friday.
The LONGINES FEI World CupTM Jumping Final includes Thursday evening's one-round speed class, Friday evening's jump-off class and Sunday afternoon's two-round Final, as well as Saturday evening's $75,000 Canadian Pacific Grand Prix of Las Vegas.
Spectators have the opportunity to experience the heated competition featuring world-renowned horses and riders while also enjoying the entertainment that has given Las Vegas its worldwide reputation. From laser light shows to acrobats to fireworks and Vegas show girls, this event dazzles from start to finish.