Contact: EquestriSol
310-930-2744
ROLEX FEI WORLD CUP™ QUALIFIER SET FOR NOVEMBER 6-9, 2008 AT MURIETA EQUESTRIAN CENTER
October 8, 2008 — Rancho Murieta, California - The nation’s best show jumping riders, including 2008 Olympic Show Jumping Gold Medalist and U.S. team member Will Simpson will be competing at the Sacramento International Horse Show, November 6th through 9th as part of the FEI World Cup Qualifying Event at the Murieta Equestrian Center. The Anderson Family Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifier is the feature event of the inaugural Sacramento International Horse Show, part of the quest to qualify for the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals in Las Vegas.
The Sacramento International will feature the $75,000 Anderson Family Grand Prix, the EquiStar Welcome Stake and $25,000 Leone Equestrians Junior/Am Grand Prix bringing total event prize money to over $150,000. On Thursday evening, 2008 Beijing Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios will set a course for over 75 horses and riders in the $25,000 EquiStar Welcome Stake beginning immediately following the Gambler’s Choice Speed Event which begins at 7 pm. The best horse and rider teams from Thursday’s Table II, Section 2(a) Grand Prix will go on to compete Saturday night in the $75,000 Anderson Family Grand Prix.
This is the first World Cup Qualifier ever to come to Rancho Murieta and the Sacramento Region. Covering over 100 acres, Murieta Equestrian Center, is Northern California’s premier equestrian events center, and will host this Inaugural Sacramento International Horse Show and World Cup Qualifier for four days beginning November 6th, 2008 and concluding Sunday November 9th.
Jill Humphrey and her horse Kaskaya have earned 37 points in the last two World Cup Qualifiers and are now tied for the points lead with Mandy Porter and her mount San Diego. Results from the Sacramento International will partially determine which U.S. riders will be eligible to compete at the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals in Las Vegas. Returning from a trip with other notable Olympic Athletes to the White House, Simpson said "I’m now concentrating on Qualifying for the World Cup Finals."
Started in 1979, the FEI World Cup Jumping Final is an annual international showdown among the world’s best show jumping horses and riders. Approximately 45 riders qualify from 13 leagues around the world. In the 30 finals held through 2008, United States riders have emerged with the most titles, having won the championship seven times.
Interested fans can find additional event information on the show’s official website at www.sacramentointernationalhorseshow.com.
Ticket prices for the Sacramento International range from $9 for kids under 16, up to $2,500 for VIP Patron Tables in the MEC Events Center Pavilion. Tickets will also be available at www.TICKETWEB.com an online service of Ticketmaster beginning on October 15th or at Murieta Equestrian Center, 7200 Lone Pine Drive in Rancho Murieta, CA 95683 (916) 354-2119.