Omaha, Neb.—April 4
The 2023 Longines FEI Show Jumping and FEI Dressage World Cup Finals are taking place this week, April 4-8, in Omaha, Nebraska. The Chronicle has a reporter on the ground, so follow along with our coverage through Saturday night.
Here’s what you need to know:
When?
• The Show Jumping Schedule
The show jumpers get their first chance to jump in the CHI Health Center Arena today, in a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure warm-up class. Riders can elect to jump the entire course as set, string together bits and pieces, or just use their time to school on the flat in the ring
The actual competition doesn’t kick off until Wednesday’s speed class.
Wednesday, April 5: Speed Round at 7:15 p.m. local time (8:15 p.m. EDT)
Thursday, April 6: Round 2 at 7:15 p.m. local time (8:15 p.m. EDT)
Friday, April 7: Show jumping rest day
ADVERTISEMENT
Saturday, April 8: Show jumping final at 6:15 p.m. local time (7:15 p.m. EDT)
• The Dressage Schedule
Dressage riders have an opportunity to do their ring familiarization today, and competition officially kicks off on Wednesday.
Wednesday, April 4: Grand Prix at 1:15 p.m. local time (2:15 p.m. EDT)
Friday, April 7: Grand Prix freestyle at 6:15 p.m. local time (7:15 p.m. EDT)
The Burlington Capital FEI Vaulting World Cup Final will also be taking place this week, and you can see a full schedule of events here.
Who’s Competing?
In the show jumping final, 40 riders from 19 countries will vie for the title. There are nine U.S. riders competing this year, including World No. 4 McLain Ward, who won the final in Omaha back in 2017. This year he brings another mare, Callas. In addition, Ailish Cunniffe (Vivaldi Du Theil), Nick Dello Joio (Cornet’s Cambridge), Hunter Holloway (Eastern Jam and Pepita Con Spita), Devin Ryan (Eddie Blue), Aaron Vale (Prescott) Simonne Berg (Cooper), Elisa Broz (Kardenta Van’t Meerhof), and Natalie Dean (Acota M) will jump for the United States.
In addition to the U.S. riders, there’s a stacked field that includes World No. 1 rider Henrik von Eckermann (Sweden), defending champion and World No. 2 Martin Fuchs (Germany), World No. 3 Julien Epaillard (France) and World No. 5 Harrie Smolders (the Netherlands).
ADVERTISEMENT
In the dressage final, there are 17 competitors from 11 countries. The United States earned three competition slots this year with Steffen Peters (Suppenkasper), Anna Buffini (FRH Davinia La Douce) and Alice Tarjan (Serenade MF).
Defending champion Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl will be bringing TSF Dalera BB, but she’ll have formidable competition from the Netherlands’ Dinja Van Liere on Hermes and German powerhouse Isabell Werth on DSP Quantaz.
Anne Gribbons breaks down what to expect in her Between Rounds column.
See the full dressage entry list.
Important Links: Omaha FEI World Cup Finals website / orders of go and live results / all of the Chronicle’s coverage / FEI TV via ClipMyHorse.TV live streaming
Want more from the World Cup Finals?
Get to know young British show jumper Harry Charles.
Course designer Bernardo Costa Cabral discusses his plans for the week.
Meet our One To Watch Simonne Berg
