Las Vegas, NV—March 14, 2003—American show jumper Peter Wylde, individual Bronze Medalist in the Show Jumping World Championships at the 2002 World Equestrian Games (WEG), has been granted a Wild Card spot to compete in the 2003 Budweiser World Cup Final, April 16-20 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV.

When he competed at WEG in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain last September, Wylde became the first U.S. show jumping rider to qualify for the “Final Four” since 1990 (Greg Best and Gem Twist). He went on to win the individual Bronze Medal aboard Fein Cera, who was also named “Best Horse” of the World Championships.

“We’re very excited! This is going to be a real treat for show jumping fans,” said Robert Maxey, Budweiser World Cup Committee Chairman. “They’ll be able to watch Peter Wylde compete against the world’s best just like he did last September in Jerez.”

This will be Wylde’s first U.S. appearance since winning the Bronze at WEG. He also won double Silver Medals (individual and team) at the 1999 Pan American Games.

In addition to Wylde, the U.S. will have 13 other riders competing at the World Cup Final – the top eight riders from the East Coast League and the top four from the West Coast – plus Robert Chelberg, an American living in Prague who qualified from the Central European League.

The Budweiser World Cup Final, started in 1979, is an annual showdown among the top show jumping riders in the world, as they compete for the prestigious title of World Cup Champion. This will be the fifth World Cup Final held in the United States. Previous Finals were held in Baltimore (1980), Tampa (1989), Del Mar (1992) and Las Vegas (2000). The excitement of international show jumping competition amid the bright lights, theatrical shows, fine dining, and shopping found in Las Vegas promises a grand time for all.

The 2003 Budweiser World Cup competition takes place over three days with warm-up classes on Wednesday, April 16. Thursday, April 17, kicks off the main event with the first leg of the World Cup Final, a heart-stopping speed class run under Table C specifications—with faults converted into penalty seconds. Riders go all out in the speed class, knowing that in order to have a chance at a top placing in the Final standings they need to produce a slick, fast ride.

The second leg of the Final takes place the following evening, Friday, April 18. This leg features a lengthy and grueling first-round course followed by a jump-off round where competitors again show their mastery of the speed format.

Saturday, April 19, is a day off from World Cup competition, but not from top show jumping action as the prestigious Grand Prix of Las Vegas takes place in the afternoon. Some riders bring multiple mounts to the Final and use a second horse in the Grand Prix, which also features World Cup horses not going in Sunday’s last leg. So once again, spectators have a chance to watch a class filled with the national and international legends of the sport.

The grand finale of the weekend is Sunday afternoon, April 20: the final leg of the Budweiser World Cup Final, a challenging two-round class run under Table A with a jump-off if needed to break a tie for first place. The field of starters is winnowed down to only the top twenty riders who are granted the privilege of returning for the second course. The rider with the fewest faults emerges as the new World Cup Champion.

The Budweiser World Cup promises to be an exciting display of stamina, athleticism, speed, and skill from each horse and rider. For the spectator, it takes nerves of steel and a ticket.

A variety of ticket packages for all price ranges and interest levels are now available for purchase. All-Session Plaza Level Priority seating is available for $300 per person. All-Session Balcony Level Priority seating is available for $150 per person. VIP Packages are available for $1,000 and include one premier All-Session seat, access to the private VIP hospitality area complete with complimentary deluxe food/beverage each day and preferred parking.

Daily individual tickets for the five days of competition range from $10 to $85 depending on the session and seat location.

To order tickets or for more information on the excitement of the 2003 Budweiser World Cup Final, please visit www.worldcuplasvegas.com or call (702) 260-8605 or toll-free (866) 388-3267.

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