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World Cup Las Vegas
April 15-19, 2009

Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Finals and FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals
Return to the Thomas & Mack Center April 15 – 19

LAS VEGAS — March 12, 2009—The world’s best horses and riders are set to return to the Thomas & Mack Center, April 15-19, for the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals.

Once again hosted by Las Vegas Events (LVE), the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals bring spectators edge-of-their-seat entertainment as they watch riders compete for the title of FEI World Cup champion in show jumping and dressage.

This will mark the fifth time that Las Vegas hosts the FEI World Cup™ Finals and only the third time ever, following two previous times in Las Vegas in 2005 and 2007, that the world’s premier annual championships in the two Olympic equestrian disciplines are held concurrently.

“The World Cup Finals are an important event for the destination, drawing fans from all 50 states and more than 25 countries,” said Pat Christenson, president of LVE. “Similar to the National Finals Rodeo and the PBR World Finals, Las Vegas will be treated to a championship event featuring the top competitors in the world. Whether you are a local resident supporting a show jumping rider, or a dressage fan from around the globe, the entertainment that the Rolex FEI World Cup Finals brings to Las Vegas is not to be missed.”

In addition to the excitement of the competitions, the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals will also feature the official retirement ceremony of one of the world’s most beloved dressage horses, Brentina. Rider Debbie McDonald and owners Peggy and Parry Thomas will be on hand to honor this amazing mare that, along with Debbie, has enjoyed one of the most successful careers in U.S. dressage history.

The pair earned the United States its first FEI World Cup Dressage Championship in 2003 and represented the United States at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games. At the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, they led the U.S. to the bronze medal.

In 1999, Debbie and Brentina put in an amazing performance at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, winning both the individual and team gold medals. Brentina’s retirement ceremony will take place on Friday afternoon, April 17.

Individual tickets are priced as follows:

Dressage Tickets

April 15: VIP - $250; Plaza - $55; Balcony - $35

April 16: VIP - $250; Plaza - $90; Balcony - $50

April 17: VIP - $250; Plaza - $90; Balcony - $50

April 18: VIP - $250; Plaza - $100; Balcony - $60

Show Jumping Tickets

April 15: VIP - $250; Plaza - $60; Balcony - $35

April 16: VIP - $250; Plaza - $70; Balcony - $50

April 17: VIP - $250; Plaza - $75; Balcony - $50

April 18: VIP - $250; Plaza - $75; Balcony - $55

April 19: VIP - $250; Plaza - $85; Balcony - $60

Started in 1979, the FEI World Cup Jumping Final is an annual international showdown among the world’s best show jumping horses and riders. Approximately 45 riders qualify from 13 leagues around the world. In the 30 finals held through 2008, United States riders have emerged with the most titles, having won the championship seven times.

The 2009 event will mark the eighth FEI World Cup Jumping Final to be held in the United States, following Finals in Baltimore in 1980, Tampa, Fla. in 1989, Del Mar, Calif. in 1992 and four in Las Vegas in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2007.

First held in 1986, the FEI World Cup Dressage Final has been held in the U.S. three times, in 1995 in Los Angeles and 2005 and 2007 in Las Vegas. The Netherlands has dominated the competition, winning nine titles, followed by Germany with seven. The United States won its first title in 2003 when Debbie McDonald rode Brentina to the championship.

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