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Las Vegas, NV – April 18, 2007 – In a disappointing turn of events, Blue Hors Matine, winner of the Dressage Silver Medal in the Grand Prix Freestyle Class (Kur) at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, has been withdrawn by rider Andreas Helgstrand (DEN) and will not compete in the FEI Dressage Competition at the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup Finals.
Because of a minor injury to the horse’s left front leg sustained while unloading her from the van, Helgstrand, the rider of the Danish Warmblood mare, decided that it was in the best interest of the horse to withdraw.
“The veterinarian said that she might recover by tomorrow and be able to compete, but we didn’t want to take any chances,” said Helgstrand. “It is very sad because I thought we had a chance to do well, but this can be my top horse for a long time and I am not prepared to take any risks with her.”
Paracco (USA), an entry in the Las Vegas International Dressage competition, was also withdrawn by his rider Jeremy Steinberg. Steinberg cited similar reasons as not wanting to take any chances with his horse as the reason for his decision.
Formal competition featuring the world’s best jumping and dressage horses and riders begins Thursday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The afternoon session is highlighted by the Rolex FEI World Cup Grand Prix Dressage class and the evening session showcases the Rolex FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final I.
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 the 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2007 FEI World Cup Finals, was founded in 1983. LVE has grown with Las Vegas as the city 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 390 events, which have driven more than 3.3 million visitors to the area, resulting in an economic impact of more than $2 billion.
Fans wanting to bring home the excitement of every ride of the 2007 Rolex FEI World CupTM Finals will be able to do so with full-coverage DVDs. DVDs of the Dressage and Jumping Finals will be available for each of Friday, Saturday, & Sunday’s Sessions and will include every minute of action from those sessions. The DVDs of each session will be available for sale at the Thomas & Mack Center starting Saturday and will also be available on line.
The Animal Planet television network will televise a special 90-minute broadcast of the 2007 Rolex FEI World CupTM Finals on Saturday, May 12 beginning at 9:00 p.m. (EDT). The telecast will include the Finals in both jumping and dressage.
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