Eric Van der Vleuten Wins the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Hunters Make Their Debut and Robinson Says Farewell

Las Vegas, NV—April 23, 2005

Eric Van der Vleuten of the Netherlands capped an exciting five horse jump in the $50,000 Las Vegas Grand Prix held during the FEI World Cup Finals. Aboard Audi’s Jikke, Van der Vleuten sped around the course and stopped the clock in 34.65.

Anne Kursinski (USA) on Roxanna 112 tried to best Van der Vleuten’s time, but she fell short by a mere tenth of a second. Candice King (USA) clinched the third spot with Coco Cabana. “This was an important class to us, and my horse jumped well,” said Van der Vleuten.

Richard Spooner tried to reprise his 2003 victory aboard his veteran partner, Robinson. The pair was the first to jump clear over Guillherme Jorge’s track. Spooner was first to return for the jump off and he felt the pressure to go clean and fast. Unfortunately, an inside turn was a bit too tight and the pair settled for fifth.

At the conclusion of the class Spooner gave the crowd an extra chance to cheer for horse that has garnered fans around the World as 2005 will be the seventeen year old gelding’s last appearance in the FEI World Cup Finals. They were rewarded with a standing ovation as they made a spot lit farewell tour of the ring.

Hunters made their first appearance at the FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas and they were a resounding success. Based on a challenge Rodrigo Pessoa made to Louise Serio a while back, the World Cup Hunter Challenge came to be. Pessoa claimed that riding hunters was no big deal, and the duel was on. Four Europeans – Marcus Ehning, Rodrigo Pessoa, Michael Whitaker and Nick Skelton – took on four of the best American hunter riders – Lousie Serio, Peter Pletcher, John French, and Scott Stewart. Eight of the top hunters in the country were loaned for the challenge. After a two round competition, the Europeans emerged the victors and the Americans were humbled in their contest. Ehning was awarded the High Score Rider honors as well. The crowd loved the event, and there is no doubt a reciprocal challenge will be issued by Serio in order to reclaim their honor.

Show jumping competition will conclude on the Sunday with the final leg of the FEI World Cup Finals.

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.

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 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 HorsesDaily.com, 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.

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