2005 World Cup Show Jumping Finals

Meredith Michaels Beerbaum Flies to the Lead in the Second Round of the FEI World Cup Finals

Meredith Michaels Beerbaum (Germany) had the crowd on the edge of her seat as the last of nine riders in the jump off of the second leg of the FEI World Cup Finals. In front of a hushed crowd, she negotiated Guillherme Jorge’s challenging jump off track and stopped the clock at 32.56.

Michaels Beerbaum led the victory gallop for the class and she takes over the lead of the World Cup Finals standings. She earned 42 points for tonight’s win, and an overall score of 78. Fellow countrymen Alois Schweckhorst and Steve Guerdat are tied for second with 71 points, and Ludo Philappaets (Belgium) and Rodrigo Pessoa (Brazil) are tied for fourth with 70 points. Sunday’s final round promises to be an exciting contest. Kimberly Frey is the highest ranked U.S. rider in the overall standings at tenth (66 points).

Initially the first round course looked impossible as the first three riders were eliminated. “It was a fabulous course,” said Michaels Beerbaum. “Anything can happen,” she added “but I will do my personal best.” Course Designer Guillherme Jorge weighed in, “I am pleased with the outcome of the class. It started a little scary, but I knew the best were coming.

On Saturday the World Cup horses get a break, and the crowd will be treated to an exciting grand prix of national level horses, as well as a hunter challenge. Four Europeans, headed by Rodrigo Pessoa, will take on four of the best U.S. hunter riders, headed by Louise Serio. Riding some of the top hunters in the U.S., the teams will compete for bragging rights.

Show jumping competition will conclude on the Sunday with the final leg of the FEI World Cup Finals.

The FEI Budweiser World Cup Jumping Final and the FEI World Cup Dressage Final, presented by Offield Farms, are being held simultaneously for the first time in history.

More than 100,000 tickets have been sold with tickets purchased by individuals in 13 countries and all 50 of the United States. Better than 96% of the ticket sales have been to people who live outside Nevada.

The FEI Budweiser World Cup Jumping Final will be televised on NBC on Sunday, May 8 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The FEI World Cup Dressage Final, presented by Offield Farms, will be televised on Monday, June 6 at 4:00 p.m. EDT on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN).

The FEI World Cup Jumping Final, started in 1979, is an annual showdown among the world’s best jumping horses and riders. This year’s Final features 33 riders from 17 countries. In the 26 finals held through 2004, United States riders have emerged with the most titles, having won the championship seven times. This marks 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.

First held in 1986, the Dressage World Cup Final has been held in the U.S. only once, in 1995 in Los Angeles. Germany and The Netherlands have dominated the competition, winning six titles each through 2004. The United States won its first title in 2003 when Debbie McDonald of Hailey, Idaho and the magnificent mare, Brentina, emerged as champions. Brentina is owned by Parry and Peggy Thomas of Las Vegas, for whom the Thomas & Mack Center, the venue for the World Cup Finals, is named.

Las Vegas Events, Inc. (LVE), producer of 2005 FEI World Cup Finals, was founded in 1983. LVE has grown with Las Vegas as the city has emerged as one of the world’s top special event and resort destinations. A private, not-for-profit organization, LVE is funded by hotel room tax and serves as the exclusive major special events agency for the city. In its 21-year history, Las Vegas Events has produced, presented or supported more than 200 events, which have driven more than 2.5 million visitors to the area, resulting in an economic impact of more than $700 million.

Las Vegas Events, Inc. is grateful for the generous support of its many sponsors, such as Budweiser, the title sponsor of the Jumping Final, Offield Farms, the presenting sponsor of the Dressage Final, and Breyer Animal Creations, the sponsor of the Riders’ Lounge. Other sponsors include: Bally’s and Paris Hotels; Bellagio Las Vegas and The Mirage Las Vegas; Creel Printing; Coast Hotels & Resorts; Der Dau Custom Boots and Shoes; D.K. Saddlery; Equifit; Equisearch.com, the Official Online Partner of the World Cup; Hermès of Paris; Lake Las Vegas Resort; Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino; Merial Limited; Mikmar Bit Company; NBC Television; Platinum Performance; Practical Horseman; Schleese Saddlery Service; Sidelines; Style-Wise; Summit Dynamics; Triple Crown Custom, the Official Custom Blanket of the FEI World Cup Finals; the U.S. Dressage Federation; the U.S. Eventing Association and the U.S. Equestrian Federation.

Also signed on as “Friends” of the FEI World Cup Finals 2005 in Las Vegas are HorsesDaily.com,the American Warmblood Society, “Brentina: From Idaho to Athens, Presented by Rolex,” Cornerstone Hunters & Jumpers, Devon Wood Equestrian Centre, Diamond Legacy Breeding, DressageArenas.com, Dressage un Ltd, HorseDeals.US, Las Vegas Magazine, Nevada Equestrian Association, Royal Oaks Farm, Tish Quirk/Horses USA and Valley Horse News.

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