Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (SusanJStickle.com)

Las Vegas, N.V. - The 2015 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final got underway this afternoon in the Thomas & Mack Center Arena in Las Vegas, N.V. with 18 of the world’s best athlete-and-horse combinations contesting the FEI Grand Prix test. The U.S. duo of Steffen Peters and Laura Graves gave the home crowd something to cheer about, executing brilliant tests to place third and fifth, respectively.

Steffen Peters (San Diego, Calif.) returned to World Cup Final competition for the first time since his win here in Las Vegas in 2009 with Four Winds Farm, LLC’s Legolas 92. Peters guided the 2002 Westphalian gelding through the test with practiced precision to score a 76.843.

“We prepared so intensely for this, not so much physically, but mentally to prepare Legolas for this indoor atmosphere,” explained Peters. “He [Legolas] is typically a bit edgy in these sort of environments, but today he was absolutely fantastic. I am so happy that those long hours of relaxation and mentally preparing paid off.”

The pair was rewarded for their always excellent and accurate trot tour, and the excitable gelding relaxed through both the collected and extended walk, demonstrating his real partnership with Peters.

“This was one of the best tests of his career and right here in front of the home crowd is just awesome,” said an ecstatic Peters.

First to go for the U.S., drawing fourth in the order, Laura Graves (Plymouth, Fla.) and her own Verdades continued to prove themselves on the world stage. In their first indoor competition, the pair handled the intense atmosphere to score a 74.286. The 2002 KWPN gelding was impressed with the electric environment and, despite a couple of bobbles performed a beautiful test with his classic power and grace.

Despite the nerves Graves said “I could not be more pleased with our test. He was so super in the warm up, but it’s an environment that’s difficult to prepare for. In the corners he would catch something out of the corner of his eye and back off a little, but he was really obedient and brave.”

“We are excited for the Freestyle Saturday, I know he will be more confident in there the second time, so that’s when we will really push the envelope,” continued Graves.

Defending Final champions and world number one Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro delivered as anticipated to win the class with a score of 85.414. Edward Gal and Glock’s Undercover N.O.P. were second on 79.057.

The Final champion will be crowned on Saturday in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Competition gets underway at Noon in the Thomas & Mack Center.

For complete results visit worldcuplasvegas.com.