Isabell Werth and Weihegold OLD at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games - the pair will be in action at the FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha.

© Eric Knoll

By the US Equestrian Communications Department

All eyes will be on Nebraska March 29-April 2 when the FEI World Cup™ Finals will take over the CenturyLink Center Omaha with a dazzling double-header: the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Finals and FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals. The chance to witness history in the making is reason enough to go, but if you’re heading to Omaha, plan to catch all the special activities and events that are going on around the competition, too. Here are our seven “must-see” picks:

The Warm-Up Ring: It’s Not Just for the Horses

10 a.m.-11 p.m. daily

This isn’t just a great spot to catch a glimpse of competitors’ final preparations, moments before they head into the ring. It’s also the hub of all activity other than the competition itself. The 130 vendor booths, a packed schedule of educational demos and live entertainment, and a range of restaurant choices will make this area outside-the-competition Fun Central. Savor a sit-down meal overlooking the ring or grab a quick bite before diving into the vendor fair. While you’re in the warm-up area, be sure to check out the US Equestrian booth. We’ll have merchandise, fun activities, and chances to meet athletes and social media ambassadors.

And when the competition ends each night, the party will just be getting started in the warm-up zone with live music as the shops, bars, and restaurants stay open.

Dressage Showcase

Friday, March 31, 3 p.m.

Isabell Werth, the most decorated dressage rider in Olympic history, headlines the Dressage Showcase with a unique demonstration, her first-ever exhibition of this type in the U.S. Presented by the Dressage Foundation, “Young Horses to Grand Prix” will feature Werth and two young horses, aged five to seven years old, one a Small Tour horse and the other a Grand Prix horse. Werth will explain her training methods for bringing young horses up the levels to the highest level of dressage, the Grand Prix.

The Dressage Showcase will also spotlight the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team with riders from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games performing a quadrille, and many other dressage presentations.

Bonus: The Omaha Symphony Orchestra, one of the nation’s most highly regarded symphonies, will perform to accompany parts of the Dressage Showcase.

The 80% Club Ceremony

Friday, March 31, approximately 2:55 p.m.

Catch a special moment immediately before the Dressage Showcase, when dressage riders who have achieved the elusive 80% score in the Grand Prix will be honored. They include Laura Graves, a member of the bronze medal-winning U.S. Dressage Team at the Rio Games, who became only the second U.S. rider and the 15th rider in history to earn the iconic score in Grand Prix competition.

Return of Past World Cup Champions

Saturday, April 1, approximately 7 p.m.

Past World Cup Finals show jumping champions will be recognized in the CenturyLink Center Omaha in conjunction with the night’s show jumping highlight, the International Omaha Jumping Grand Prix competition.

For tickets and more information, click here.

Source: USEF website

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