This will mark the sixth time that Las Vegas will host the FEI World Cup™ Finals following 2000 and 2003 when it hosted the Jumping Finals, and 2005, 2007 and 2009 when it hosted both the Jumping and Dressage Finals. The three combined Finals in Las Vegas were the first times that the world's premier annual championships in the two Olympic equestrian disciplines were held concurrently.
"We are honored to be the host of the 2015 FEI World Cup Finals," said Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events. "Las Vegas last hosted the show jumping and dressage Finals in 2009, so we are extremely excited to once again showcase our destination to equestrian fans from the U.S. and around the world. We look forward to working with the FEI to create a memorable event and a venue for the top riders in the world."
In the combined jumping and dressage Finals held in Las Vegas in 2005, 2007 and 2009, the five-day events drew an average of nearly 90,000 spectators for each of the three years. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, those events averaged a non-gaming economic impact of more than $20 million each. Individuals representing some 25 countries and all 50 of the United States purchased tickets with more than 90% of the events' attendees coming from outside Nevada.
"We are delighted that the FEI World Cup™ Finals in both Jumping and Dressage will be returning to Las Vegas in 2015, giving our sport and our title sponsors Longines and Reem Acra further global exposure on this fabulous American stage," said FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos. "It will be good to be back in Las Vegas after a six-year gap and we are looking forward to really top class sport in this fabulous venue."
"The FEI World Cup™ Finals held in Las Vegas in the last decade led to unprecedented interest in equestrian sport in the United States," said John Long, CEO of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). "The expertise of Las Vegas Events, Inc. in producing large-scale events resulted in world-class competition and outstanding entertainment fitting for the Entertainment Capital of the World. It is great news for everyone that the Finals are coming back to Las Vegas!"
The announcement that the Finals are returning to Las Vegas is generating excitement with everyone including the world's leading riders. "The fact that the FEI World Cup™ Finals are returning to Las Vegas is great news for everyone," said Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist who is the reigning FEI World Cup™ champion in jumping. "I have been fortunate to compete all over the world and nowhere is our sport presented with as much flair and excitement as in Las Vegas."
"The previous World Cup Finals held in Las Vegas proved why the city is known as the Entertainment Capital of the World," said Steffen Peters of San Diego, CA, the three-time Olympic veteran who won the Dressage Final in Las Vegas in 2009. "They showcase our sport like no one else and the riders absolutely love competing there."
Started in 1979, the FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final is an annual international showdown among the world's best show jumping horses and riders. In the 35 Finals held through 2013, United States riders have emerged with the most titles, having won the championship nine times. Previous FEI World Cup™ Jumping Finals held in the United States include Baltimore (1980), Tampa (1989), Del Mar, CA (1992) and Las Vegas (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009).
First held in 1986, the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final features the world's best dressage horses and riders. The United States has won the championship twice - in 2003 (Debbie McDonald with Brentina) and 2009 (Steffen Peters with Ravel). The Final has been held in the U.S. in Los Angeles (1995) and Las Vegas (2005, 2007, 2009).
Ticket information will be announced at a later date. Fans are encouraged to visit the event's official website at www.WorldCupLasVegas.com and sign up for breaking news and information