JESSICA GETS THE BEST OF THE DRAW.......

Ireland's Jessica Kuerten, the 38 year old German-based rider who won the Western European League qualifying series by a considerable margin, got more good news tonight when she was drawn last to go in the starting order for tomorrow's first leg of the 2007/2008 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping final in Gothenburg, Sweden..

At a special party staged in the gracious City Hall hosted by Lord Mayor Jorgen Linder, the President of the show's Organising Committee Per Lodjquist welcomed all the riders and visitors. Sven Holmberg, First Vice-President of the FEI, spoke of his delight in seeing the final return to the place where it all began 30 years ago and he remarked that it is fitting, in the season when Rolex has taken up the title sponsorship, that the FEI has committed itself to improving the quality of the leagues - "we want to make the final better and better each year - more exciting and with more competitors" he said.

And he pointed out that Swedish interest will be more intense than ever when the first final competition gets underway tomorrow evening - 'because this is the first time in the history of the World Cup that four Swedish riders have qualified for the final". "We ought to be proud of that" he pointed out, adding "I know this brings pressure and expectations but don't worry - you have already made history!".

If Jessica Kuerten was pleased however, Britain's Michael Whitaker had every reason to be quite the opposite as his name was pulled out of the hat for starting position No. 1.

The is a total of 30 starters, and the order-of-go for the first of the three final competitions is as follows:

1. Michael Whitaker (GBR)

2. Royne Zetterman (Swe)

3. Malin Baryard-Johnsson (Swe)

4. Judy-Anne Melchior (Bel)

5. Richard Spooner (USA)

6. Peter Wylde (USA)

7. Mikael Forsten (Fin)

8. Mandy Porter (USA)

9. Danielle Torano (USA)

10. Helena Lundback (Swe)

11. Todd Minikus (USA)

12. Harrie Smolders (Ned)

13. Eugenie Angot (Fra)

14. Hanno Ellerman (Est)

15. Heinrich-Hermann Engemann (Ger)

16. Mikhail Safronov (Rus)

17. Margie Engle (USA)

18. Steve Guerdat (Sui)

19. Marcus Ehning (Ger)

20. Albert Zoer (Ned)

21. Guy Thomas (NZL)

22. Ludger Beerbaum (Ger)

23. Patrick McEntee (Bel)

24. Darrin Dlin (Can)

25. Brianne Goutal (USA)

26. Rutherford Latham (Esp)

27. Beat Mandli (Sui)

28. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Ger)

29. Shaun Neill (RSA)

30. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (Swe)

31. Takamichi Mashiyama (Jpn)

32. Lukasz Jonczyk (Pol)

33. Lauren Hough (USA)

34. Kent Farrington (USA)

35. Jill Henselwood (Can)

36. Gerco Schroder (Ned)

37. Abdullah Al Manni (UAE)

38. Rich Fellars (USA)

39. Jessica Kuerten (Irl)

The first final competition is a Speed class, Table C over a Table A course, designed to give a skillful rider with an unlucky knockdown a chance to still register a competitive placing. Friday's Jump-Off competition is Table C over a Table A course and Sunday's finale is a two-round Grand Prix. The official Opening Ceremony begins at 6pm local time tomorrow (Thursday) and jumping will begin immediately afterwards.

For further information on the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Gothenburg, Sweden check out WEBSITE www.goteborghorseshow.com Show President is Per Lojdquist, Show Director is Tomas Torgersen, Sport Secretary is Wiveka Lundh and Press Officer is Mayvor Thorin - contact (mobile) +46 705 828420.

PHOTO CATALOGUE - Photographs of the winning riders in high and low resolution can be downloaded from the FEI online catalogue. To access it, please visit www.fei.org>Media >Photo Catalogue. There is no reproduction fee, but please credit photographer (photographer's name will appear under each photo)/FEI. Usage is strictly for editorial purposes.