Contact:
Michael Mack, Las Vegas Events (702) 260-8605, michael@lasvegasevents.com
Marty Bauman (508) 698-6810, classic.pr@verizon.net

Las Vegas, NV-September 29, 2006-September saw the start of qualifying competitions for the 29th annual FEI World Cup Jumping Final, and the U.S.'s best show jumping riders are giving it their best shot to be among the elite group that will get to ride in the Final at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV, April 18-22, 2007.

Las Vegas, the world's premier city for exciting entertainment, will once again be the backdrop for the 2007 FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals. In 2005, the dual FEI World Cup Finals were held in the same location simultaneously for the first time in history. In 2007, for the second time ever, Las Vegas will again host the FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals concurrently.

Starting the qualifying for the 2007 Jumping Final were six classes-three in the West Coast League and three in the East-in September. Racing to an early lead in the West Coast League standings was Richard Spooner of Glendale, CA, a veteran of six World Cup Finals. Spooner, who won the Grand Prix of Las Vegas at the World Cup Final in 2003 and finished fourth in the 1998 World Cup Final in Helsinki, topped the first two qualifiers held at Del Mar and San Juan Capistrano, CA. He received 20 points for each of those wins and then added 12 more points in the third qualifier at Los Angeles for a total of 52.

Just behind Spooner in the standings at the end of September was Jill Humphrey, who had 48 points after picking up 11 points at Del Mar, 17 at San Juan Capistrano and 20 points as the top finisher at Los Angeles. There will be a total of 12 competitions in all before West Coast League qualifying ends next spring.

In the East Coast League, Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ, sat in first place after he picked up points in all three qualifiers-at the Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton, NY, at the American Gold Cup in Cleveland, OH, and at the Kentucky National in Lexington, KY. Kappler, who won team Gold and individual Silver Medals at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, was leading the standings with 44 points.

Close behind Kappler was Christine Tribble McCrea who had 40 points after earning the maximum 20 for coming out on top at both of the first two qualifiers, the Hampton Classic and American Gold Cup. As in the West Coast League, there will be 12 total qualifiers in the East Coast League with the final one in Tampa, FL, next spring.

Started in 1979, the FEI World Cup Jumping Final is an annual international showdown among the world's best show jumping horses and riders. The 2007 event will mark the seventh FEI World Cup Jumping Final to be held in the United States, following Finals in Baltimore in 1980, Tampa, FL in 1989, Del Mar, CA in 1992 and the three in Las Vegas in 2000, 2003 and 2005. In the 28 finals held through 2006, United States riders have emerged with the most titles, having won the championship seven times.

First held in 1986, the FEI World Cup Dressage Final has been held in the U.S. only twice, in 1995 in Los Angeles and 2005 in Las Vegas. The Netherlands has dominated the competition, winning seven times, followed by Germany with six. The United States won its first title in 2003 when Debbie McDonald rode Brentina to the Championship. 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 2000, 2003, 2005, and 2007 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. Since 1991, Las Vegas Events has produced, presented or supported more than 200 events, which have driven more than 2.8 million visitors to the area, resulting in a non-economic impact of more than $1.4 billion.

For more information on the 2007 FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals, including how to order tickets and how to become a member of the World Cup Club free of charge, please visit the official Las Vegas World Cup website at www.worldcuplasvegas.com.