Horse Illustrated Magazine

Verdades, one of the most popular and beloved horses in dressage history, will make two public appearances at the 2020 FEI Dressage World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, April 15-19. “Diddy,” as he is nicknamed, will headline the Devoucoux Dressage Showcase on Friday afternoon, April 17, and then have his official retirement ceremony on Saturday evening.

Laura Graves, Verdades’ owner and rider, announced the 18-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding’s retirement in January, leading to an outpouring of love and support from his many followers around the world. That spurred a plan to give his fans a chance to see the legendary superstar at the FEI Dressage World Cup Final.

“Diddy has so many fans, and I wanted to give as many of them as possible a chance to see him before his retirement,” said Graves, who purchased Verdades as a yearling and is the only rider he has ever known. “He has performed on the world’s biggest stages, and there really is no bigger stage than the World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, so this is really the perfect place for his formal retirement.”

Graves and Verdades will appear during the Final’s Devoucoux Dressage Showcase on Friday afternoon and again on Saturday evening when his official retirement ceremony will be held during the intermission of the Grand Prix Freestyle, the event determining the 2020 Dressage FEI World Cup champion.

As part of the special occasion, a drawing will be held to select 16 individuals among those in attendance at the Devoucoux Dressage Showcase to meet the legendary horse later that day. In addition, Graves will appear that afternoon in the Taylor Harris Club presented by Lugano Diamonds to meet guests in the World Cup’s VIP club.

Verdades first caught the world’s attention when he carried Graves to the reserve championship in the 2014 The Dutta Corp./USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship and then followed that by finishing fifth in the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games as the top U.S. finisher.

About the FEI Dressage World Cup and Longines FEI Jumping World Cup

The world’s best equestrian athletes will return to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV, April 15-19, for both the 2020 FEI Dressage World Cup Final and the 2020 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final. The 2020 Finals marks the seventh time that Las Vegas–the Entertainment Capital of the World–is hosting one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian championships. The biggest names in both dressage and jumping will be under one roof to vie for the title of World Cup champion.

The FEI Dressage World Cup Final was first held in 1986 and features the world’s best dressage horses and riders. A total of 34 Finals have been held through 2019, and the United States has won the championship twice–in 2003 by Debbie McDonald and Brentina and in 2009 by Steffen Peters and Ravel. The Final has been held in the U.S. six times previously–in Los Angeles (1995), Las Vegas (2005, 2007, 2009, 2015) and Omaha (2017).

Started in 1979, the FEI Jumping World Cup Final is an annual international showdown among the world’s best show jumping horses and riders. In the 41 Finals held through 2019, the United States has emerged with the most titles with a count of 11 followed by Germany in second with 10 wins. U.S. riders have won two of the last three Longines titles–McLain Ward in 2017 and Beezie Madden in 2018. Previous FEI Jumping World Cup Finals held in the United States include Baltimore, Md. (1980); Tampa, Fla. (1989); Del Mar, Calif. (1992), Las Vegas, Nev. (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2015); and Omaha, Neb. (2017).

To order tickets, or for further information on the 2020 FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, please visit the event’s official website at www.WorldCupLasVegas.com.

About Las Vegas Events

Founded in 1983, Las Vegas Events is a private, not-for-profit organization funded by hotel room tax. Through its Signature Event initiative, LVE has created a model to integrate all elements of special events and formally improve communication between event producers and Las Vegas’ hotel properties and sponsors. Since 1991, Las Vegas Events has produced, presented or supported more than 750 events. Further information is available at www.lasvegasevents.com.