Las Vegas has been officially confirmed as the host city for the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping and Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in 2015. The finals are currently scheduled for April 15-19, at the University of Nevada’s Thomas & Mack Center.
Las Vegas has already hosted the FEI World Cup Finals five times—in 2000 and 2003 when it staged the jumping finals, and in 2005, 2007 and 2009, when the jumping and dressage finals were combined. Las Vegas was the first venue to host combined FEI World Cup Finals, in 2005.
“We are delighted that the FEI World Cup Finals in both jumping and dressage will be returning to Las Vegas in 2015, giving our sport and our title sponsors Longines and Reem Acra further global exposure on this fabulous American stage,” said FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos. “It will be good to be back in Las Vegas after a six-year gap and we are looking forward to really top-class sport in this fabulous venue.”
“We are honored to be the host of the 2015 FEI World Cup Finals,” added Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events. “We are extremely excited to once again showcase our destination to equestrian fans from the United States and around the world. We look forward to working with the FEI to create a memorable event and a venue for the top riders in the world.”
The announcement that the finals are returning to Las Vegas is generating excitement with everyone, including the world’s leading riders.
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“The fact that the FEI World Cup Finals are returning to Las Vegas is great news for everyone,” said Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, N.Y., the two-time Olympic gold medalist who is the reigning FEI World Cup champion in jumping. “I have been fortunate to compete all over the world, and nowhere is our sport presented with as much flair and excitement as in Las Vegas.”
“The previous World Cup Finals held in Las Vegas proved why the city is known as the Entertainment Capital of the World,” said Steffen Peters of San Diego, Calif., the three-time Olympic veteran who won the dressage final in Las Vegas in 2009. “They showcase our sport like no one else, and the riders absolutely love competing there.”
In the combined jumping and dressage finals, the five-day events drew an average of nearly 90,000 spectators for each of the three years. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, those events averaged a non-gaming economic impact of more than $20 million each. Individuals representing 25 countries and all 50 of the United States purchased tickets with more than 90 percent of the events’ attendees coming from outside Nevada.
Ticket information will be announced at a later date. Fans are encouraged to visit the event’s official website at www.WorldCupLasVegas.com and sign up for breaking news and information.