The battle to earn berths in the FEI World Cup Dressage Final 2005 continues to rage in countries around the world as the date of the Final approaches. After a fierce qualifying season in the Canadian League, Leslie Reid of Langley, BC, won the Canadian League World Cup Dressage final qualifier, earning the right to represent Canada in the FEI World Cup Dressage Final, which will be held along with the FEI Budweiser World Cup Jumping Final in Las Vegas, NV, April 20-24, 2005.

Seven riders took part in 16 competitions throughout the Canadian League qualifying season, which culminated at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto. Reid dominated the League’s final qualifier, winning the Grand Prix with a score of 69.625% and turning in an outstanding performance that topped the field in the Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 73.925%.

Reid, who also topped the Canadian League in 1996, claimed her second title aboard Mark, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Deryol Andrews. Reid and Mark paired up in 2003 to win the Individual Gold and Team Silver medals at the Pan American Games, and they represented Canada at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

The U.S.’s qualifying season, on hiatus since October, will resume in March and promises to showcase fierce competition from all riders who hope to earn the right to represent the U.S. in the FEI World Cup Final against some of the world’s strongest competition amidst the backdrop of Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world.

Qualifying competition is also nearing completion in the other four FEI Dressage World Cup Leagues, including the dominant Western European League that features dressage’s leading powers such as Germany and The Netherlands.

“The excitement is really building as FEI Dressage World Cup League qualifying draws to a close,” said Pat Christenson, President of Las Vegas Events, the 2005 FEI World Cup Finals producer. “Now, all eyes are turning toward Las Vegas and the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final. It’s definitely going to be a spectacular show that is not-to-be-missed!”

The return of the FEI World Cup Dressage Final to the United States is sure to provide a huge boost to the sport, just as the hosting of the FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Las Vegas in 2000 and 2003 helped increase that discipline’s popularity.