2024 FEI World Cup Finals (show jumping and dressage)

2024 FEI World Cup Finals
Host cityRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
Date(s)April 16 – 20, 2024
Main stadiumRiyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
LevelSenior
TypeIndoor
Events2
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The 2024 FEI World Cup Finals for dressage and show jumping was held April 16–20, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event was held in the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center marking the conclusion of the 2023–24 Dressage and Show jumping World Cup Seasons.[1][2] It was the first time in history that the World Cup Finals was held on the Asian continent for dressage and for the second time for show-jumping after the finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2006. For both disciplines it was the first time in the Middle East region.[3] The decision to award the event to Saudi Arabia received criticism from some in the European press, accusing the country of "sportswashing" a traditionally European sport.[4][5][6]

The prize money for the competition was reported to be the largest amount ever recorded for an equestrian World Cup final, ultimately awarding €400,000 for Dressage and €2.6 Million for the Show Jumping competitions.[7]

During the event, several equine focused publications declined to cover the flagship event, citing the country's human rights record, position towards LGBT rights, and record for doping in endurance racing.[8][9][10]

  1. ^ "FEI World Cup Final Overview". FEI. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  2. ^ "FEI World Cup Finals 2024 Riyadh". EN GARDE Marketing. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Saudi Arabia receives flag to host FEI World Cup Finals 2024". Zawya. 10 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Viel Geld im Spiel - Weltcup-Finale in Riad: Sportwashing mit Pferden oder Tradition?" [Lots of money at stake - World Cup final in Riyadh: sportwashing with horses or tradition?]. Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) (in German). 17 April 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Wie Saudi-Arabien das Reitsport-Weltcup-Finale aus dem Boden stampfte" [How Saudi Arabia created the Equestrian World Cup final]. FAZ.NET (in German). 20 April 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Weltcup in Riad: Sportwashing mit Pferden oder Tradition?" [World Cup in Riyadh: Sportwashing with horses or tradition?]. Süddeutsche.de (in German). 16 April 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Fresh Cash Pumped Into 2024 World Cup Finals - Biggest Purse in World Cup History". Eurodressage. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  8. ^ "No coverage of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final 2024 on WoSJ". World of Showjumping. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  9. ^ "No World Cup Final here!". The Horse Magazine. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Warum St.GEORG nicht vom Weltcup-Finale Springen und Dressur in Saudi-Arabien berichtet" [Why St.GEORG is not reporting on the World Cup finals in jumping and dressage in Saudi Arabia]. St.GEORG. 15 April 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.