Jan Gyllensten (World Cup show jumping at the Thomas & Mack Arena.)
“The FEI World Cup Finals were an incredible success for the destination,” said Pat Christenson, President of Las Vegas Events. “The combination of show jumping and dressage proved to be captivating for American fans, as well as for those from around the globe. We eagerly anticipate the return of the Finals to Las Vegas in 2007, and our goal will be to surpass the success that we enjoyed in 2005.”
In April 2005, the FEI Budweiser World Cup Jumping Final and the FEI World Cup Dressage Final, presented by Offield Farms, were held simultaneously in the same location for the first time in history. During the five-day competition, 90,221 fans attended the Finals. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the event had a non-gaming economic impact of $19.2 million.
Individuals representing 13 countries and all 50 of the United States purchased tickets for the Finals, bringing a true international feel to the weekend’s competition. Approximately 93% of the tickets were sold to individuals who reside outside of Nevada.
The Finals also received worldwide television coverage, including domestic telecasts, on NBC and OLN. The success of the event in 2005 precipitated the selection of Las Vegas as the host in 2007.
“The 2005 FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas changed the perception of equestrian sport in the United States,” said John Long, CEO of the United States Equestrian Federation. “LVE showcased the entertainment potential of our sport by producing an incredible event that combined the excitement and glamour Las Vegas has to offer as the Entertainment Capital of the World with competition from the top riders in the world. It was spectacular, and it was a standing room only crowd. The USEF is thrilled to have the dual FEI World Cups back in Las Vegas in 2007.”
While Las Vegas’s groundbreaking presentation of both show jumping and dressage engendered unprecedented interest in the Finals by spectators, it also proved to be a huge hit with the riders. “I don’t think our sport has ever been so well received as it was at the FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas,” said 2003 FEI World Cup Dressage champion Debbie McDonald of Hailey, ID. “I believe that the Finals in Las Vegas were a real watershed moment for our sport.”
Anky Van Grunsven of The Netherlands, who won the FEI World Cup Dressage Final for a record seventh time in Las Vegas in 2005, echoed McDonald’s sentiment at the press conference following her victory when she said, “This is what a World Cup Final is supposed to be.”
“Las Vegas is the Entertainment Capital of the World, and it is a real plus for our sport to be part of what they present there,” said 2004 Olympic Team Gold Medalist McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, who has competed in two of the three Finals held in Las Vegas. “They do a fantastic job showing the best our sport has to offer. The riders all love it, and it’s very exciting to be able to go back 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. Approximately 45 riders qualify from 13 leagues around the world. In the 27 finals held through 2005, United States riders have emerged with the most titles, having won the championship seven times. The 2006 FEI World Cup Jumping Final is being