Competition Field is Beginning to Fill Up for 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV—January 27, 2005—The battle to earn berths in the FEI World Cup Dressage Final 2005 continues to rage in countries around the world as the date of the Final approaches.

After a fierce qualifying season in the Canadian League, Leslie Reid of Langley, BC, won the Canadian League World Cup Dressage final qualifier, earning the right to represent Canada in the FEI World Cup Dressage Final, which will be held along with the FEI Budweiser World Cup Jumping Final in Las Vegas, NV, April 20-24, 2005.

Seven riders took part in 16 competitions throughout the Canadian League qualifying season, which culminated at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto. Reid dominated the League’s final qualifier, winning the Grand Prix with a score of 69.625% and turning in an outstanding performance that topped the field in the Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 73.925%.

Reid, who also topped the Canadian League in 1996, claimed her second title aboard Mark, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Deryol Andrews. Reid and Mark paired up in 2003 to win the individual Gold and team Silver Medals at the Pan American Games, and they represented Canada at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

The U.S.’s qualifying season, on hiatus since October, will resume in March and promises to showcase fierce competition from all riders who hope to earn the right to represent the U.S. in the FEI World Cup Final against some of the world’s strongest competition amidst the backdrop of Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world.

Qualifying competition is also nearing completion in the other four FEI Dressage World Cup Leagues, including the dominant Western European League that features dressage’s leading powers such as Germany and The Netherlands.

“The excitement is really building as FEI Dressage World Cup League qualifying draws to a close,” said Pat Christenson, President of Las Vegas Events, the 2005 FEI World Cup Finals producer. “Now, all eyes are turning toward Las Vegas and the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final. It’s definitely going to be a spectacular show that is not-to-be-missed!”

The FEI World Cup Dressage Final will come to the United States in 2005 for only the second time when it joins the Jumping Final in an unprecedented co-hosting of two of the world’s most prestigious and glamorous equine events!

First held in 1986, the FEI World Cup Dressage Final was previously held in the U.S. in 1995 in Los Angeles. Germany and The Netherlands have dominated the competition, winning six titles each through 2004. The United States won its first title in 2003 when Debbie McDonald of Hailey, ID, and the magnificent mare, Brentina, owned by Parry and Peggy Thomas, emerged as champions. The Thomas & Mack Center, the venue for the FEI World Cup Finals, was named for Parry Thomas.

The return of the FEI World Cup Dressage Final to the United States is sure to provide a huge boost to the sport, just as the hosting of the FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Las Vegas in 2000 and 2003 helped increase that discipline’s popularity.

The FEI World Cup Jumping Final, started in 1979, is an annual showdown among the world’s best jumping horses and riders. Approximately 45 riders qualify from 13 leagues around the world. In the 26 finals held through 2004, United States riders have emerged with the most titles, having won the championship seven times.

This will mark the sixth FEI World Cup Jumping Final to be held in the United States, following Finals in Baltimore in 1980, Tampa in 1989, Del Mar, CA in 1992 and the two in Las Vegas in 2000 and 2003.

Las Vegas Events, Inc., producer of 2005 FEI World Cup Finals, was founded in 1983 and has grown with Las Vegas as the city has emerged as one of the world’s top special event and resort destinations. A private, not-for-profit organization, Las Vegas Events is funded by hotel room tax and serves as the exclusive major special events agency for the city. In its 21-year history, Las Vegas Events has produced, presented or supported more than 200 events, which have driven more than 2.5 million visitors to the area, resulting in an economic impact of more than $700 million.

A variety of individual and all-session ticket packages are available for the FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals. Special pricing is available for those interested in attending both events.

For more information on the 2005 FEI World Cup Finals, please call Las Vegas Events, Inc. at (702) 260-8605 or visit the official website at www.worldcuplasvegas.com.