As 2023 enters with beautiful horsemanship, spectacular displays of the coordination of man (or woman) and the magnificent talents of horses will be demonstrated to the world once again. The Breeders’ Cup, The World Equestrian Games, and The FEI World Cup Finals will serve up the highlights for sporting, and betting, enthusiasts this year and into 2024. Here’s what you will want to know about three of the equestrian world’s biggest events on the calendar.
Entertainment
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The Equestrain World Rides Again!
“In the steady gaze of the horse shines a silent eloquence that speaks of love and loyalty, strength and courage. It is the window that reveals to us how willing is his spirit, how generous his heart.” –Author Unknown
The Breeders' Cup
As in its namesake, the breeding industry is the foundation of essentially all equine aptitude. In the early 1980’s, Breeders’ Cup founder John Gaines, along with a prominent group of breeders from central Kentucky, had a vision. Their goal was to demonstrate what horse was truly the best, year after year. Since 1984 the world’s finest thoroughbreds have competed in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships to claim a winning spot to be recorded in history.
Held annually in the United States, the Breeders’ Cup often ranks alongside the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes in terms of overall attendance and popularity. All horses participating must be nominated to compete in the championships, and it all starts, of course, with the stallions.
Annually, stallions from North America are nominated for the Breeders’ Cup. The nomination is for the upcoming breeding season and the fee is equal to the stud’s advertised breeding fee. Once nominated, and once the stallion has “covered” mares, all foals from that season are then eligible to be nominated the year that they are born. Nominated foals generate approximately six times the value at sales than non-nominated offspring. International stallions can also participate in the nominations, their fees are based on their home in the Northern or Southern Hemispheres, and progeny are also eligible to be nominated in the year of their birth.
What began in 1984 as a single-day event now spans two full days. The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has ranked the Breeders’ Cup’s Classic (4th), the Turf (10th), and the Mile (12th) events among the best in the world. While it is often one of the most popular horse racing events of the year, the total possible attendance at any given event can be impacted by the size of the hosting track.
In 2018, the addition of the Juvenile Turf Sprint brought the total amount of prizes to $30 million, an amount that is among the highest in the racing world. Legendary jockey Mike Smith has 26 Breeders’ Cup wins, while Juddmonte Farms and their $17,135,820 in winnings tops the list of owners to prove their dominance at the competition.
On the offspring side of things, Breeders’ Cup sire Galileo has brought in almost $14 million in earnings from the Breeders’ Cup – the highest of any horse by far. This year’s Breeders’ Cup will be held November 5-6, 2021 where “the surf meets the turf” at the picturesque Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California. With a history dating all the way back to the 1930s, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has experienced growing attendance and is truly a “bucket-list” event for those who thrill at the thunder of hooves and the roar of the crowds.
Both the Breeders’ Cup and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club are proud to claim membership in the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, which is dedicated to setting standards for safety, track conditions, medical care for the horses and the riders, and to enforce accountability while creating a culture of respect for the 350 year old tradition of horse racing.
World Equestrain Games 2022
A showcase of equestrianism on a global scale, the World Equestrian Games take place every four years in the middle of the summer Olympic calendar. Since 1990, the games have been organized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and the games run for approximately two weeks. Riders represent the best of the world in each event and, like the Olympics, undergo a very stringent qualification process.
The FEI World Equestrian Games are the pinnacle in equestrian sport and are one of the two Olympic qualifying events for the disciplines of dressage, eventing, show jumping, and para-equestrian dressage. Other events include combined driving, endurance riding, reining, show jumping, and vaulting. The 2022 World Equestrian Games for jumping, dressage, para-dressage, and vaulting will be hosted by Herning, Denmark and will be held August 3 – 15, 2022. The 2022 World Championships for eventing and driving will be held by Pratoni del Vivaro in Italy, the venue established in Rome for the 1960 Olympic Games.
The World Championships in the Olympic and Paralympic fields of jumping, eventing, dressage and para-dressage will serve as qualifiers for the Paris 2024 event.
World Equestrain Games 2022
An international competition featuring the world’s best jumping and show horses, the FEI World Cup Finals began in 1978 and now feature 14 different leagues located across the globe. Visionary Swiss journalist Max E. Ammann developed the initial concept behind the FEI World Cup Finals and, along with long time corporate sponsor Volvo, has shepherded it to where it is today.
In order to qualify for the World Cup Finals, riders participate in one of 132 events with the best advancing to the final rounds. Of all participants that attempt to qualify, only about 45 riders are selected for competition. For 2022, the FEI World Cup Finals will return to the German city of Leipzig to host the competition from April 6-10.
The competition was last held in Leipzig in 2011 and featured the same four events, jumping, dressage, driving, and vaulting. More recently sponsored by Rolex since Volvo’s departure in 1999, the event is now also supported by rival watchmaker Longines. “All in good sport,” as the saying goes.
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Entertainment
Los Angeles is known as the Entertainment Capital of the World due to an advertising slogan created long ago to feature the works of Hollywood, and the regions radio, television, music and film making industries. Along with the abundance of attractions and amusements for Angelinos and visitors, the slogan rings true. Although Las Vegas claims the same honored title, the two cities do not really compare in size, spaces, or attractions.
Along with all the films and music made in the greater Los Angeles area, the multi-dimensional city truly knows how to make it’s own fun. There is literally nothing that you can not find to entertain you in the city itself and the adjacent environs. Hills Views & Valleys is devoted to sharing unique and current ideas for your personal pleasure.
Feeling blue? Grab a limo and head to the Comedy Store, home of rising stars and seasoned pros. Don’t be surprised if Eddie Murphy stops in to rant a bit, or Whitney Cummings saunters in to try a few lines for her acts that she writes.
Feeling generous? Social Philanthropy is near and dear to Angelinos hearts. Support a local charity by attending an event, some are black-tie, and mingle with like-minded celebrities to further the cause. The Humane Society, The American Cancer Society, and The Boys and Girls Clubs regularly gather to raise funds. There is even a Cupcake Tasting for Charity…win, win!
Feeling artistic? Gallery openings and exhibits abound and showcase local and national artists. Or take in a play at The Music Center. Or take a chance on a smaller local theater gem such as The Fountain or The Odyssey, where you will enjoy the intimacy of the venues and feel a part of the production.
Sporty? Take in an event of the season. World class venues have been designed for the award winning Lakers, The Kings, The Dodgers and more.
Feeling classic? Order a foodie picnic basket and limo to the Greek Theater, The Hollywood Bowl or the Pantages Theater. If it’s the 4th of July you may feel the tingle of being an American while under the stars, whether it is John Fogarty or John Williams, and maybe say to yourself, there is simply no place like Los Angeles on earth.
Let us show you all that awaits.