The 2009 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas are starting today with a warm up class in the Thomas & Mack exhibition centre in Las Vegas, NV, U.S.A, on April 15, 2009.
All European horses arrived safely on Saturday after a 10-hour direct flight from Liege, Belgium, to Los Angeles, CA.
Upon arrival, blood was taken from all horses and shipped to Ohio for testing. The temporary quarantine stables in Las Vegas were big but the air circulation was not optimal. The tents, which are wrapped with plastic, were aired only a few times out of fear to release European viruses. The horses were only able to be walked in hand in those tents for two days. On Monday morning the blood tests returned with good results and all horses were moved from the quarantine tents for their permanent stables.
Fifteen dressage horses and fifty show jumpers are currently in Las Vegas for the World Cup Finals in Dressage and Show jumping. The vet check took place early in the morning on Tuesday 14 April 2009 and all of them passed. The riders were able to train in the main arena without audience. The warm up tent arena is very hot, while the main arena is air conditioned so the temperature difference is a challenge.
Today, Wednesday 15 April the riders can train again in the main ring, which will be filled with people who have arrived a day before the show.
It has also been decided that there will be no consolation finals. All fifteen riders will get the opportunity to ride their kur to music. The Grand Prix takes place Thursday 16 April at noon time, the Kur to Music Finals on Saturday 18 April at 7 PM.
German judge Katrina Wüst expects the I World Cup Dressage Final in Las Vegas to become the strongest Final ever. “Look at the field of competitors! I am looking so much forward to this Final. Beautiful Dressage is also about sharing emotions. And we love paying tribute to our heroes. The farewell ceremony for American heroine Brentina and the last show appearance of European hero Briar will also make the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Dressage Final an unforgettable Dressage party where top sport and its heroes will be celebrated!”