FEI World Cup Jumping: News from the USEF

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to present the four West Coast show jumpers who will represent the nation during the 2005 FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final in Las Vegas, April 20-24. They are: Nicole Simpson of Thousand Oaks, California, Joie Gatlin of San Juan Capistrano, California, Richard Spooner of Burbank, California, and Gabriella Salick of Thousand Oaks, California.

Strong contenders from the start of the qualifiers in September of last year, these four standouts out-performed more than 30 West Coast riders vying for spots at the Final in Las Vegas. Following the final qualifier in Indio, California, March 13 — the $150,000 Ford Grand Prix at the Desert Circuit VI, Simpson’s score held fast at 87 World Cup qualifying points, as did Gatlin’s at 75. Richard Spooner, who actually won Sunday’s Grand Prix on Ezrah, didn’t accumulate any World Cup points for the win, because Ezrah was not his declared World Cup horse. He did however pick up 10 points for a 10th place finish on Millenium during the same Grand Prix. Spooner finishes third overall in the West Coast rankings, with 68 points. Traditionally, only the top three riders from the West Coast advance to the World Cup Final —however, as this year’s final takes place in Las Vegas, one wild card rider has been afforded to each league in the United States. The West Coast’s wild card has been awarded to fourth-ranked Gabriella Salick, who finishes with a total of 65 qualifying points.

Simpson, Gatlin, Spooner and Salick will join the top seven competitors and one wild card rider from the East Coast League in a ride for the title of 2005 FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final Champion in Las Vegas, April 20-24. For the latest in the East and West Coast League leader boards, log onto www.usef.org, click on High Performance, and then Show Jumping. Rankings are updated regularly under the World Cup header.