Two days after the startling announcement that the Las Vegas qualifier for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ was being cancelled two months before its scheduled November dates due to “unforeseen circumstances,” an explanation — sort of — for the decision has been revealed.
Stating it supports a change of management to the Desert International Horse Park team for the Las Vegas National Horse Show it began more than two decades ago, Blenheim EquiSports maintained in a press release issued Sunday morning that the switch will allow it to “put an even greater emphasis on producing a robust schedule of events at its home base, the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano,” Calif.
The show in Vegas Nov. 11-17 will run the Marshall + Sterling / USHJA National Championships, which previously were held alongside the World Cup qualifier and other international jumper classes at the South Point Casino Hotel. It also will feature the CPHA Foundation’s WCE Medal Final and the all-new IHSA/USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal Final.
Throughout the transition, Blenheim EquiSports promised to work “with the Desert International Horse Park to ensure a seamless changeover.” The Cup qualifier, for which EquiSports was given the rights through 2027, will not be a part of November’s show under the new management, however.
The USHJA Championships are a highlight of the competition year for many riders.
After apologizing to stakeholders for the sudden cancellation last Friday, the FEI stated it is evaluating the situation about the loss of a qualifier “and will prepare a proposal on the way forward, taking into account the calendar, sport and commercial implications, which will be presented to the FEI Board for their final decision.”
According to EquiSports’ release, “Immediately following the conclusion of the Blenheim International Jumping Festival (running this month at the Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano), construction will begin on the long-awaited environmental infrastructure project. This investment into the Riding Park will secure its legacy as `The Place to Jump’ on the West Coast in perpetuity.”
It has been a rough year for Blenheim EquiSports, which lost some dates for its shows due to water quality issues involving the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park For previous stories about the topic, click here and here.
On Friday, when EquiSports president Robert Ridland was asked for specifics on why the Cup qualifier was cancelled, he said “I cannot comment at this time.”
Ridland last month returned from Paris, where he guided the U.S. show jumping team to its third consecutive Olympic silver medal under his direction as chef d’equipe. His contract for that position is up for renewal at the end of this year; such contracts in the Olympic disciplines run with the Games quadrennium (four-year time frame).
After cancellation of the Cup qualifier raised the question about what would happen to the USHJA championships, it was quickly answered with word that the show will be produced by the Desert International Horse Park, led by Steve Hankin, with Pat Boyle continuing as show manager.
Explaining his decision to become involved with the championships, Steve said, “We’re excited to put on a great event in Vegas and continue to help build up the sport. We’re two months out from the event and we want it to be successful. We’re going to put in a lot of energy and focus on the event and the sport and that’s what we care about.”
Showing in Vegas is a highlight of the year for those qualifying for the USHJA Championships. Discussing working with Steve and Desert International Horse Park, USHJA President Britt McCormick commented, “Their expertise, coupled with Pat Boyle’s continued leadership, will elevate this year’s championships, allowing us to bring more opportunities to our competitors.”
Those include enabling the show to accept additional participants and showcase key competitions in slots previously reserved for the international-level show jumping at the venue. The Western Conference Equitation Finals will be the highlight on Saturday night, while the IHSA/USHJA 3’3″ Hunter Seat Medal Final West is the feature for Sunday.
Conor Swail won the 2023 FEI World Cup qualifier in Las Vegas. (Andrew Ryback Photography)
Todd Hinde, the FEI director of jumping said, “We are deeply disappointed by the cancellation of the Las Vegas leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League.
“However, we respect the decision of the Organizing Committee and our priority now is to ensure the continued success of the series, providing top-level competition for athletes and fans across the remaining qualifiers.”
The Cup final will be held in Basel, Switzerland next April.