Oklahoma City, OK – April 4, 2009 – The amazing athletic ability and thrilling maneuvers of the sport of Reining will be featured during the Rolex FEI World CupTM in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 18 at the Thomas & Mack Arena. The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) will co-sponsor the event with teams of top U.S. and European FEI show jumping and dressage riders battling against each other in a unique and exciting competition.

Nine-time FEI World Cup Dressage Champion and multiple Dressage Olympic Gold medalist Anky Van Grunsvan and Jumping Olympic Gold medalist and the youngest FEI World Equestrian Games World Champion Rodrigo Pessoa are confirmed participants. The teams of riders are to be coached by Rick Weaver; NRHA President, NRHA Professional, NRHA Futurity Open Division Champion and multiple NRHA World Champion; and Ann Fonck NRHA Professional, NRHA Open World Champion and accomplished dressage competitor. Additional details about the distinctive event will be published soon.

The Rolex FEI World Cup™ Finals will once again take place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, April 15-19. The World Cup Finals feature the two Olympic disciplines of show jumping and dressage in an international showdown of the best jumping and dressage horses and riders. Van Grunsven heads the list of 15 riders from eight countries set to compete in this year’s Dressage World Cup Final.

Incorporated in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is the governing body of the sport of Reining. NRHA, with their International Headquarters in Oklahoma City, is responsible for promoting the sport of Reining and working to ensure the highest standards of competition. The American Quarter Horse Association, founded in 1940, is the largest-single breed equine registry in the world with more than 330,000 members worldwide. Pending AQHA Executive Committee approval later this month, Dressage will become the newest event in AQHA competition. Learn more about these two associations at www.nrha.com and www.aqha.com.