The title is a mouthful – the $145,000 CS14*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Qualifier.
For non-horsey types, that translates into an afternoon at a beautiful venue – Thunderbird Show Park (tbird) – and the chance to see elite riders who have their sights set on the Olympics.
“This is the first World Cup of the season,” noted tbird president Jane Tidball. “They come there to this event to get the first points of the year.”
The competitive jumping starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26.
Barn space at tbird is completely booked by competitors. Tidball explained that there are about 950 horses booked in.
These riders and their horses come here from around the globe to compete for the fastest, fault-free round. In the Longines World Cup Series they compete in the events and accumulate points to qualify for a final competition in Spain.
Tbird is considered the second best equestrian facility in North America out of 25 sites, so it attracts riders from the top tier right down to the youngest rider who is new in the saddle.
Tbird hosts six major international hunter and jumper competitions each year. The event on Sunday is one of 13 in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup series that takes place on three continents. To see a comparable level of competition would mean a trip to other FEI events in places such as Paris, the Netherlands, Barcelona, Mexico, Abu Dhabi, Ireland, and Hungary.
Tidball sums up the excitement of watching show jumping: “The beauty of the animals, the vibe of a horse show, the excitement of a horse show, watching a horse jump a 1.6-metre jump is just, to me, that’s a thrill of my heart.”
And equestrian is unlike any other sport. First there’s the team of rider and horse working together in a display of skill and coordination. Then there’s the fact that men and women compete on equal footing.
Those who maybe can’t make it out for afternoon of intense competition can also enjoy seeing international riders in the days leading up to Sunday’s World Cup.
Summer is the busiest time at tbird. The park has its Summer Fort Classic with the $75,000 CS14*-W Maui Jim Welcome event Thursday, Aug. 23, and the $75,000 CS14*-W Steel-Craft Cup on the Friday evening, before the big event Sunday afternoon.
Tidball said the World Cup is an affordable outing, particularly for families, at just $10 per carload for admission to Sunday afternoon’s events.
The other events leading up to the World Cup Qualifier are free admission.
The competition ring is encircled with stadium seating – both covered and uncovered – so it’s easy to get a great view of the action. But people can wander the site, and see riders and grooms in the practice rings, or check out the new vendors’ row.
In addition to the competition in the ring, there’s several added attractions. On Sunday, people can enjoy live music, pony rides, and facepainting, the View Winery Rose Party for adults (advanced tickets only, food trucks on site, and more.
There’s food booths on site serving more than the typical fried stadium fare, but people are also welcome to pack a lunch as there’s plenty of grassy spots to enjoy a picnic. Feel free to bring chairs or blankets, Tidball said.
On-site, the public will see a team of people in orange T-shirts. Don’t hesitate, she added, to ask any of these folks for help or directions.
