Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation and HITS, Inc., home of the Triple Crown of Show Jumping, are pleased to announce that the Furusiyya FEI  Nations Cup™ CSIO4* will be held as part of the Ocala Winter Festival, February 10-15, 2015, the fifth week of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. On Friday, February 13th, eight teams will go head-to-head in the $200,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ qualifier as North American nations will look to earn valuable points in qualifying for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Finals™ in September in Barcelona, Spain.

“Hosting the 2015 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ is a privilege not only because of the event’s legacy, but the unique opportunities it gives competitors and the much-deserved attention it shines on the sport of show jumping,” said HITS CEO and President Thomas Struzzieri.

“It is great to have Tom Struzzieri and HITS step up and prioritize this event, because our home Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ is so important in qualifying for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Final, myself and all the riders are really appreciative,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “It is also great to now have two FEI Nations Cups in this country with more than four times the prize money than we had a just a few years ago; it is a huge step for our country.”

Hailed as one of Jumping’s most prestigious events, the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ series is comprised of seven regions with 20 qualifiers in as many countries. Approximately forty nations will seek a place at the 2015 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona. In total, 18 teams will qualify for the Final. Instituted in 2013 for the purpose of qualifying teams for a world Final, the globe has been divided into seven regions. The seven regions are; Europe I, Europe II, North America, Central America & Caribbean, South America, Middle East, Asia/Australiasia and Africa.