FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas Establishes "John Quirk Cup"

To Be Presented to Winner of Saturday's $75,000 Grand Prix of Las Vegas

August 12, 2014–Las Vegas Events, Inc., producer of the 2015 FEI World Cup Finals, is excited to announce that it is establishing the John Quirk Cup to be presented to the winner of the $75,000 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at next April’s event.

The FEI World CupTM Finals return to Las Vegas, April 15-19, 2015, marking the Finals’ first time in the U.S. since 2009. The Thomas & Mack Center will host both the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Final and the Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage Final, marking the sixth time that Las Vegas has had the honor of hosting the world’s most prestigious annual equestrian event.

The John Quirk Cup is being established in memory of John Quirk, a west coast show jumping horse owner, breeder and magazine publisher who played a leading role in bringing the FEI World Cup Jumping Final to Las Vegas in 2000. Certain that hosting the World Cup Final in the “Entertainment Capital of the World” would help promote the equestrian sport like never before, Quirk convinced all of the appropriate people in Las Vegas and the FEI and created a legacy for himself and Las Vegas. The first Final in Las Vegas was such an overwhelming success that the FEI returned it there in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009, adding the dressage Final in 2005 for unprecedented dual Finals that is now a regular occurrence in the sport.

“Anyone who has ever enjoyed one of our World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, or who is a fan of show jumping and dressage in general, owes a lot to John Quirk,” said Pat Christenson, President of Las Vegas Events, Inc. “Without his insistence and persuasion, the World Cup Finals never would have come to Las Vegas and we are honored to pay tribute to him with the establishment of the John Quirk Cup.”

Next year’s dual Finals will begin on Wednesday, April 15 with warm-up classes for both jumping and dressage. Actual World Cup competition begins on Thursday, April 16 with the Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage Grand Prix at noon, followed by the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Final, Round I at 7:00 PM. Competition continues the next day, Friday, April 17, with the Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage Freestyle Rehearsal at 7:30 AM, the Las Vegas Dressage Showcase at noon and the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Final, Round II at 7:00 PM.

Saturday, April 18 features the Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage Final (Freestyle) at noon, followed by the Jumping Grand Prix of Las Vegas for the John Quirk Cup at 7:00 PM. The competition culminates on Sunday, April 19 with the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Final, Round III at noon. All times are Pacific Time.

Started in 1979, the FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final is an annual international showdown among the world’s best show jumping horses and riders. In the 36 Finals held through 2014, United States riders have emerged with the most titles, having won the championship nine times. Previous FEI World Cup™ Jumping Finals held in the United States include Baltimore (1980), Tampa (1989), Del Mar, CA (1992) and Las Vegas (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009).

First held in 1986, the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final features the world’s best dressage horses and riders. The United States has won the championship twice – in 2003 (Debbie McDonald with Brentina) and 2009 (Steffen Peters with Ravel). The Final has been held in the U.S. in Los Angeles (1995) and Las Vegas (2005, 2007, 2009).

All-session tickets for both the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Final and the Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage Final are now available for purchase at the event’s official website at www.WorldCupLasVegas.com where anyone can also sign up to receive breaking news and information. 

Las Vegas Events, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit organization that serves as the exclusive major special events agency for the city. Founded in 1982, LVE is funded by hotel room tax. Through its Signature Event initiative, LVE has created a model to integrate all elements of special events and formally improve communication between event producers and Las Vegas’ hotel properties and sponsors. Since 1991, Las Vegas Events has produced, presented or supported more than 600 events.

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FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas Establishes “John Quirk Cup”

August 12, 2014–Las Vegas Events, Inc., producer of the 2015 FEI World Cup Finals, is excited to announce that it is establishing the John Quirk Cup to be presented to the winner of the $75,000 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at next April’s event.

The FEI World CupTM Finals return to Las Vegas, April 15-19, 2015, marking the Finals’ first time in the U.S. since 2009. The Thomas & Mack Center will host both the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Final and the Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage Final, marking the sixth time that Las Vegas has had the honor of hosting the world’s most prestigious annual equestrian event.

The John Quirk Cup is being established in memory of John Quirk, a west coast show jumping horse owner, breeder and magazine publisher who played a leading role in bringing the FEI World Cup Jumping Final to Las Vegas in 2000. Certain that hosting the World Cup Final in the “Entertainment Capital of the World” would help promote the equestrian sport like never before, Quirk convinced all of the appropriate people in Las Vegas and the FEI and created a legacy for himself and Las Vegas. The first Final in Las Vegas was such an overwhelming success that the FEI returned it there in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009, adding the dressage Final in 2005 for unprecedented dual Finals that is now a regular occurrence in the sport.

“Anyone who has ever enjoyed one of our World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, or who is a fan of show jumping and dressage in general, owes a lot to John Quirk,” said Pat Christenson, President of Las Vegas Events, Inc. “Without his insistence and persuasion, the World Cup Finals never would have come to Las Vegas and we are honored to pay tribute to him with the establishment of the John Quirk Cup.”

Next year’s dual Finals will begin on Wednesday, April 15 with warm-up classes for both jumping and dressage. Actual World Cup competition begins on Thursday, April 16 with the Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage Grand Prix at noon, followed by the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Final, Round I at 7:00 PM. Competition continues the next day, Friday, April 17, with the Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage Freestyle Rehearsal at 7:30 AM, the Las Vegas Dressage Showcase at noon and the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Final, Round II at 7:00 PM.

Saturday, April 18 features the Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage Final (Freestyle) at noon, followed by the Jumping Grand Prix of Las Vegas for the John Quirk Cup at 7:00 PM. The competition culminates on Sunday, April 19 with the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Final, Round III at noon. All times are Pacific Time.

Started in 1979, the FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final is an annual international showdown among the world’s best show jumping horses and riders. In the 36 Finals held through 2014, United States riders have emerged with the most titles, having won the championship nine times. Previous FEI World Cup™ Jumping Finals held in the United States include Baltimore (1980), Tampa (1989), Del Mar, CA (1992) and Las Vegas (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009).

First held in 1986, the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final features the world’s best dressage horses and riders. The United States has won the championship twice – in 2003 (Debbie McDonald with Brentina) and 2009 (Steffen Peters with Ravel). The Final has been held in the U.S. in Los Angeles (1995) and Las Vegas (2005, 2007, 2009).

All-session tickets for both the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Final and the Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage Final are now available for purchase at the event’s official website at www.WorldCupLasVegas.com where anyone can also sign up to receive breaking news and information. 

Las Vegas Events, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit organization that serves as the exclusive major special events agency for the city. Founded in 1982, LVE is funded by hotel room tax. Through its Signature Event initiative, LVE has created a model to integrate all elements of special events and formally improve communication between event producers and Las Vegas’ hotel properties and sponsors. Since 1991, Las Vegas Events has produced, presented or supported more than 600 events.

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