Las Vegas, NV—April 19, 2005—The 2005 version of the FEI World Cup Finals kicked off with the Las Vegas Jump Gambler’s Choice competition. Prior to the World Cup Finals, twenty-seven Nevada based junior and amateur riders competed in a qualifying competition to determine the ten who would move forward to compete Tuesday in the Thomas & Mack venue, the same arena where the top show jumping and dressage riders will test their mettle.

“In 2000 when we held the first FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas,” stated Bob Maxey, Chairman of the World Cup Organizing Committee, “there were no jumpers in Las Vegas. By 2003 there were a few riders and the Las Vegas Jump competition was popular. I am convinced that the World Cup Finals have really stimulated interest locally, and you can see it in the twenty-seven riders we had this year. We have come light years,” stated Maxey triumphantly.

Nori Burby was seventh in the order riding her big gray jumper, Full Moon. “He has never been in a venue like this,” said Burby, but the gelding made every inside turn as Burby racked up points in the allotted 45 seconds. When the finish tone sounded, Burby had 1030 points, enough to take over the lead. However, the excitement of the crowd encouraged her to try the joker fence, which she did; adding 200 points to her score. This clinched the win for the amateur rider who has quite a resume of riding accomplishments to be proud of. “This was so wonderful,” said Burby of the competition. “The energy was great and this was an incredible experience.” She plans to return to watch the best in the world compete later in the week.

Second was Alie Roesner on Duke, and Sarah Andrew aboard Glencheck rounded out the top three.

The world’s top jumping and dressage horses and riders are in Las Vegas competing for the prestigious title of International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Cup Champions in both dressage and jumping at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The FEI Budweiser World Cup Jumping Final and the FEI World Cup Dressage Final, presented by Offield Farms, are being held simultaneously for the first time in history.

The World Cup Finals feature five action-packed days of electrifying equestrian competition. The schedule for the Jumping Final includes a heart-stopping speed class on Thursday evening, a nail-biting jump-off class on Friday evening, the Grand Prix of Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon, and of course, the illustrious World Cup Final on Sunday afternoon.

The Dressage Final features the world’s best dressage riders locked in a four-day battle to determine who will be crowned this year’s FEI World Cup Dressage Champion. The schedule includes the impressive Grand Prix on Thursday afternoon, an exciting Grand Prix on Friday afternoon for horses not entered in the Final, and the crowd-pleasing Musical Freestyle on Saturday evening.

More than 100,000 tickets have been sold with tickets purchased by individuals in 13 countries and all 50 of the United States. Better than 96% of the ticket sales have been to people who live outside Nevada.

The World Cup will also include a special World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) World Cup Team Hunter Challenge on Saturday afternoon. The first-ever Challenge pits the skills of four past WCHR Professional National Hunter Champions against four of Europe’s top show jumping superstars, including three-time FEI World Cup Champion and Athens Olympic individual Silver Medalist Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil, Sydney Olympic team Gold Medalist and 2003 FEI World Cup Champion Marcus Ehning of Germany, five-time Olympic veteran and 1995 FEI World Cup Champion Nick Skelton of Great Britain and his countryman, three-time Olympic veteran Michael Whitaker.

The FEI Budweiser World Cup Jumping Final will be televised on NBC on Sunday, May 8 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The FEI World Cup Dressage Final, presented by Offield Farms, will be televised on Monday, June 6 at 4:00 p.m. EDT on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN).

The FEI World Cup Jumping Final, started in 1979, is an annual showdown among the world’s best jumping horses and riders. This year’s Final features 33 riders from 17 countries. In the 26 finals held through 2004, United States riders have emerged with the most titles, having won the championship seven times. This marks 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.

First held in 1986, the Dressage World Cup Final has been held in the U.S. only once, 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, Idaho and the magnificent mare, Brentina, emerged as champions. Brentina is owned by Parry and Peggy Thomas of Las Vegas, for whom the Thomas & Mack Center, the venue for the World Cup Finals, is named.

Las Vegas Events, Inc. (LVE), producer of 2005 FEI World Cup Finals, was founded in 1983. LVE 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, LVE 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.

Las Vegas Events, Inc. is grateful for the generous support of its many sponsors, such as Budweiser, the title sponsor of the Jumping Final, Offield Farms, the presenting sponsor of the Dressage Final, and Breyer Animal Creations, the sponsor of the Riders’ Lounge. Other sponsors include: Bally’s and Paris Hotels; Bellagio Las Vegas and The Mirage Las Vegas; Creel Printing; Coast Hotels & Resorts; Der Dau Custom Boots and Shoes; D.K. Saddlery; Equifit; Equisearch.com, the Official Online Partner of the World Cup; Hermès of Paris; Lake Las Vegas Resort; Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino; Merial Limited; Mikmar Bit Company; NBC Television; Platinum Performance; Practical Horseman; Schleese Saddlery Service; Sidelines; Style-Wise; Summit Dynamics; Triple Crown Custom, the Official Custom Blanket of the FEI World Cup Finals; the U.S. Dressage Federation; the U.S. Eventing Association and the U.S. Equestrian Federation.

Also signed on as “Friends” of the FEI World Cup Finals 2005 in Las Vegas are the American Warmblood Society, “Brentina: From Idaho to Athens, Presented by Rolex,” Cornerstone Hunters & Jumpers, Devon Wood Equestrian Centre, Diamond Legacy Breeding, DressageArenas.com, Dressage un Ltd, HorseDeals.US, Las Vegas Magazine, Nevada Equestrian Association, Royal Oaks Farm, Tish Quirk/Horses USA and Valley Horse News.

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