Riders From Six Leagues Have Qualified, Seven Leagues Still Competing

Six out of 13 FEI Show Jumping World Cup Leagues have completed their qualifying seasons for the 2005 FEI Budweiser World Cup Jumping Final, April 20-24, 2005, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV. The competition remains fierce in the other seven Leagues as riders around the world vie for the right to compete in Las Vegas along with those who have already secured themselves a place in the 27th annual FEI World Cup Final.

After six competitions in which 75 riders from three countries competed, the South American League qualified two riders. Brazilians Rodrigo Sarmento and Camila Mazza De Benedicto placed first and second, respectively, earning the right to compete at the Final in Las Vegas.

In the Canadian League, 27 riders entered 11 competitions and two emerged with the right to compete at the World Cup Final. Eric Lamaze and Jill Henselwood qualified to represent Canada.

The South East Asian League hosted five World Cup qualifying competitions. Qabil Ambak of Malasia won the League and earned the right to compete at the World Cup Final. Central Asia held three competitions in which Sadir Mamitov of Kyrgyzstan turned in the best overall performance and qualified to compete at the Final.

Twenty-eight riders competed in the six competitions held as part of the Japan League’s qualifying season. Akihiro Okabe won the League and the right to compete in the World Cup Final for Japan.

The South African League held five qualifying competitions. Barry Taylor bested the field of 23 South African riders to earn a trip to Las Vegas as the representative for the South African League.

While these riders have already secured their right to compete in Las Vegas this April, many are still battling to get there. Competition is still underway in the Central and Western European Leagues, Pacific League–Australia, Pacific League–New Zealand, Arab League, and the U.S.A. East and West Coast Leagues.

The FEI World Cup Jumping Final, started in 1979, is an annual showdown among the world’s best jumping horses and riders. Approximately 45 riders qualify from 13 leagues around the world. In the 26 finals held through 2004, United States riders have emerged with the most titles, having won the championship seven times.

This will mark the sixth FEI World Cup Jumping Final to be held in the United States, following Finals in Baltimore in 1980, Tampa in 1989, Del Mar, CA in 1992 and the two in Las Vegas in 2000 and 2003.

For more information on the 2005 FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals, please call Las Vegas Events, Inc., at (702) 260-8605 or visit the official website at www.worldcuplasvegas.com.