Top Riders make their predictions for this week’s World Cup Finals in Las Vegas….

“This partnership on their day are quite simply- pure CLASS! Bertram at only 20 yrs of age has taken the sporting world by storm with countlesss victories providing edge of the seat excitement to showjumping enthusiasts across the globe. Bertram has a wise old head on his young shoulders and this combined with his ability to be cold and calm will give him an edge in his very first World Cup final.”

Georgina Bloomberg (USA)

1. Jos Verlooy with Domino: “This is my wild card. Jos proved that he can ride in a tight indoor arena when he won the LA Masters last fall and he is quick so will have the advantage of that in the speed round. This is a great pair who are proving themselves at the top level and I wouldn’t count them out for a good placing.”
2. Kevin Staut with Silvana and Estoy Aqui de Muze: “Kevin and Silvana are a super pair that have had so much success together, especially in small tight rings like the one in Las Vegas. If Silvana is healthy and back in form, they will be contenders”
3. Daniel Deusser with Cornet d’Amour: “This is always a reliable pair and they have proven themselves at the World Cup Finals before so will be going in with a confidence and ease that most others won’t. I don’t think they will repeat but I think they will be in the top 5 unless something out of the ordinary happens.”
4. Patrice Delaveau with Orient Express: “This is a pair that everyone always roots for. Patrice is such a gentleman and riders from every nation always like and respect him both as a rider and a person. His horse is naturally very quick so he won’t have to even try to be fast in the speed round which is an advantage going in to round 2. He is hard to beat against the clock and coming off his heartbreaking WEG Final four he will have set his sights on a win here to redeem himself.”
5. Beezie Madden with Simon: “Beezie is always my pick to win because she is simply the best rider under pressure. She can ride any course and make it look easy. Simon has had a light schedule of showing this winter and Beezie and her husband John are great at being prepared for big events so they will have been schooling for this and making this a priority for the last few months. I’m rooting for them!”

Cian O’Connor (IRL)

1. Edwina and Fair light– “Looks in my view to be an extremely talented mare and could just be peaking at the right time. Jumped super recently in Gothenburg and Edwina together with the professionalism from Stal Tops know how to deliver on the big occasion.”
   
2. Patrice and Orient Express-  “A superb partnership with recent top form jumping double clear in the Rolex World Cup in hertogenbosch. A handy horse who can shorten and add a stride easily may well be suited to the tight space in Vegas.”
   
3. Martin Fuchs and PSG Future– “This pair seems to shine indoors like the unforgettable victory in Paris last December. Martin and the horse will be well schooled for the Final as his father and background team will leave no stone unturned.”
   
4. Daniel Deusser and Cornert D’amour- “The pair are coming off some big wins as of late. Confidence will be high as Daniel just became World No 1 so defending his world Cup title must seem within their reach.”
   
5. Bertram Allen and Molly Malone V- “This partnership on their day are quite simply- pure CLASS! Bertram at only 20 yrs of age has taken the sporting world by storm with countlesss victories providing edge of the seat excitement to show jumping enthusiasts across the globe. Bertram has a wise old head on his young shoulders and this combined with his ability to be cold and calm will give him an edge in his very first World Cup final.”

Tiffany Foster (CAN)

1. Steve Guerdat and Albfuehren’s Paille
2. Todd Minikus and Bablou 41
3. Bertram Allen and Molly Malone V
4. Beezie Madden and Simon
5. Sergio Alvarez Moya and Carlo 273
6. Mclain Ward and Rothchild or HH Carlos Z

Darragh Kenny (IRL)

1. Bertram Allen and Molly Malone V
2. Daniel Deusser an Cornet d’Amour
3. Lucy Davis and Barron
4. Patrice Delaveau and Orient Express HDC
5. McLain Ward and Rothchild or HH Carlos Z

Andres Rodriguez (VEN)

1. Beezie Madden and Simon
2. Steve Guerdat and Albfuehren’s Paille
3. Patrice Delaveau and Orient Express HDC
4. Daniel Deusser and Cornet d’Amour
5. McLain Ward and Rothchild or HH Carlos Z

Lauren Hough (USA)

1. Beezie Madden and Simon
2. McLain Ward and Rothchild or HH Carlos Z
3. Daniel Deusser and Cornet d’Amour
4. Bertram Allen and Molly Malone V
5. Steve Guerdat and Albfuehren’s Paille
6. Kevin Staut and Estoy Aqui de Muze HDC or Silvana HDC

Doda Miranda (BRA)

1. Daniel Deusser and Cornet d’Amour
2. Beezie Madden and Simon
3. Bertram Allen and Molly Malone V
4. Patrice Deleavu and Orient Express HDC
5. McLain Ward and Rothchild or HH Carlos Z

Rodrigo and Alexa Pessoa (BRA)

1. Beezie Madden and Simon
2. Martin Fuchs and PSG Future
3. McLain Ward and Rothchild or HH Carlos Z
4. Bertram Allen and Molly Malone V
5. Steve Guerdat and Albfuehren’s Paille