FEI World Cup™ Qualifier to Feature Top Equestrian Athletes from 18 Countries

ARCADIA, CA (November 11, 2024) — Thirteen athletes from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games headline a distinguished list of entries for the inaugural Santa Anita CSI5*-W hosted by 1/ST in collaboration with the Lugano Diamonds Split Rock Jumping Tour at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The event marks a historic moment for U.S. equestrian sports, with a total of 17 Olympic veterans and international stars from 18 countries entering the competition.

Santa Anita Park, one of the world’s most prestigious racetracks renowned for its stunning backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, has hosted a record 11 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, and was the site of the 1984 Olympic Games equestrian events. This November, in partnership with 1/ST, North America’s leading brand for Thoroughbred horse racing, entertainment, and wagering, the Lugano Diamonds Split Rock Jumping Tour (SRJT) will host two weeks of world-class equestrian competition: the Los Angeles National, November 13- 17, followed by the Santa Anita CSI5*-W, November 20-24, featuring the $400,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Los Angeles CSI5* qualifying event presented by Lugano Diamonds.

The star-studded lineup includes all four members of the U.S.’s 2024 Olympic Silver medal- winning team: Karl Cook, who made his Olympic debut in Paris and completed the team competition without penalty; Kent Farrington, 2016 team Silver medalist and World #4 in the Longines FEI Jumping Rider Rankings; Laura Kraut, three-time Olympic medalist; and McLain Ward, six-time Olympian and World #8 in the Longines FEI Rankings.

Beyond the elite competition, the Santa Anita CSI5*-W event from November 20-24 will offer elevated hospitality and entertainment experiences synonymous with 1/ST, including a boutique VIP pop-up experience presented by The h.wood Group’s Delilah. Guests will enjoy exciting partner activations, curated spaces and a multi-tiered VIP area with premium food and beverage options.

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Los Angeles CSI5*-W is one of only eight events in the 2024 FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League (NAL). The competition will offer valuable points in determining which riders qualify for the 2025 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Basel, Switzerland. The action-packed weekend will include the $400,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Los Angeles CSI5*-W Presented by Lugano Diamonds on Saturday evening, November 23, as well as three other highlevel FEI events: the $35,000 1.45m Special Two-Phase CSI5* on Wednesday, the $125,000 Lugano Diamonds 1.50m Welcome Stake CSI5* on Thursday, and the $40,000 Winning Round CSI5* on Sunday.

Prominent riders from the 2024 Paris Olympics also include Richard Vogel (World #7) of Germany, Daniel Coyle (World #13) and Cian O’Connor (World #17) of Ireland, Erynn Ballard (World #22) and Tiffany Foster (World #24) of Canada, Harry Charles of Great Britain’s Gold Medal team (World #18), Daniel Bluman (World #28) and Ashlee Bond of Israel, and Nayel Nassar of Egypt.

Other Olympic veterans include U.S. team Silver medalists Lucy Davis (2016) and Jessica Springsteen (2021), as well as Eduardo Pereira de Menezes of Brazil and two-time Olympic veteran Mark Watring of Puerto Rico.

The lineup also includes several riders from Southern California, including Cook, Davis, Zazou Hoffman and Alessandra Volpi.

“We are thrilled to partner with 1/ST to feature an all-new Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier and two weeks of world-class equestrian competition at the historic Santa Anita Park,” said Derek Braun, SRJT founder and president. “With this inaugural event featuring a competitive field of athletes of the highest caliber, we look forward to bringing to audiences on the West Coast an equestrian experience unlike any other.”

“1/ST is proud to partner with the Lugano Diamonds Split Rock Jumping Tour as part of our ongoing commitment to connect the world of equestrian sport and Thoroughbred racing. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Santa Anita Park for an unforgetting event that will merge 1/ST’s brand of entertainment and hospitality with some of the best competitors in the sport of show jumping!” said Nicole Walker, Vice President, The Stronach Group and professional equestrian.

To register for tickets and VIP experiences for the Santa Anita CSI5*-W event, November 20-24, click here.

To obtain required media credentials, please click here.

Media Contacts: Marty Bauman, 508-698-6810, marty@classic-communications.com

SEQUEL, splitrock@sequel-inc.com

About Split Rock Jumping Tour (SRJT)

Founded in 2015, the SRJT has revolutionized the way the sport of show jumping is presented in the U.S., creating a truly “unparalleled show jumping experience” for competitors, sponsors and spectators alike. More information on the SRJT can be found at https://splitrockjumpingtour.com/.

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group's 1/ST business (pronounced "First") is North America's preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group's continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company's premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park – home of The California Crown and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, The Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST's media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing's largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group's commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group's TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company's live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.