Animal Planet to Air World Cup Coverage May 12
May 4, 2007 -- The Animal Planet television network will televise a special 90-minute broadcast of the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup Finals on May 12 beginning at 9 p.m. EDT. The telecast will include the finals in both jumping and dressage.
Las Vegas, the world's premier city for exciting entertainment, was once again the backdrop for the Rolex FEI World Cup Finals in both jumping and dressage as they returned to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, April 18-22.
"Interest in this year's FEI World Cup Finals is at an all-time high, and we are truly excited that Animal Planet will bring the Finals to a national television audience," said Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events, Inc., producer of the Finals in Las Vegas. "Now, fans will have the chance to relive the event's great moments, and those who were unable to attend will also be able to enjoy the accomplishments of the world's best horses and riders."
A re-broadcast will follow the original primetime broadcast May 13 at 2 p.m. and another re-broadcast will air May 19 at 2 p.m. The broadcasts will be produced by Carr-Hughes Productions.
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, Fla. in 1989, Del Mar, Calif. 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.
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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.
Get all of the exciting details from the Rolex FEI World Cup Finals in Nancy Jaffer's postcards and view her photo gallery.
