( CNN ) They are superstars flown in from across the globe -- and they probably had more legroom than you . The world 's leading showjumping and dressage horses have reached Las Vegas for this week 's World Cup Finals . The man who arranged their travel says , for horses , it 's business class all the way . `` There are two horses per box , '' explains Tim Dutta , who oversaw the loading of more than $ 150 million in equine talent onto a Qatar Airways flight at Amsterdam 's Schiphol Airport earlier this month . `` We pay attention to each horse 's little idiosyncrasies and requirements -- do they like wet hay , or not ? Do we use sea salt to encourage them to drink ? `` I like the horses to have some quiet time too , they need that . So when the aircraft is at cruise then they are left alone for a while , to have a snooze and relax , without being bothered by anyone . '' No horse is snoozing now . The flights are over and they 're in Las Vegas to work . Vegas is home to the finals for the sixth time since first hosting showjumping in 2000 . The venue is the Thomas & Mack Center , a stone 's throw from the Strip , which had the distinction of being opened by Frank Sinatra and Diana Ross in 1983 . Organizers believe more than 80,000 fans will attend this week 's event , which boasts an $ 8 million budget . Expect Elvis Presley beaming down from the Jumbotron ; chefs from the Bellagio serving VIP guests who paid upwards of $ 1,500 a ticket ; and tennis legend Steffi Graf presenting the trophies . In the past , that was not your usual showjumping and dressage atmosphere -- but that 's something the sport is trying to change . Hosting world-class horsesport in Vegas is a way to raise its profile in the United States . As with this month 's showjumping on Miami Beach , the thinking is location , location , location . For the riders , few locations are comparable . `` It 's like a Wrigley Field feel , '' said Tim Keener , one of the Vegas organizers , describing how the bowl of the arena will seat spectators unusually close to the action . Showjumping comes here for the showbiz . In previous years , trophies have been handed out by flying showgirls descending from the rafters . Elvis impersonators have burst into the arena on horseback . This year , a `` selfie booth '' will let fans crowd in with leading riders for awkward photos on their phones -- and there will be quite some choice of riders . Since the World Cup Finals are among the most prestigious titles available , the cast list over the next four days features almost all of the world 's top names . In showjumping , Germany 's Daniel Deusser is both the defending World Cup champion and the new world No . 1 , unseating Britain 's Scott Brash . The Germans are the most successful nation at the World Cup Finals , with 10 showjumping victories , and three-time champion Marcus Ehning will also compete . The hosts have a superstar and 2013 champion in Beezie Madden , while 2012 champion Rich Fellers will ride aptly named `` comeback king '' Flexible , a horse undeterred by a series of illnesses and injuries which would have seen almost any other stallion retire . In dressage , Britain 's Charlotte Dujardin and Valero are the runaway favorites to successfully defend last year 's World Cup title . The partnership is the first ever to hold the World Cup alongside Olympic , world and European gold . Few riders are expected to mount a serious challenge if Dujardin and Valegro perform well , but watch out for Germany 's Isabell Werth and up-and-coming US rider Laura Graves . Graves , 27 , has barely spent a year on the U.S. senior team , yet finished fifth in last year 's World Equestrian Games on board Verdades . The action begins on Thursday , April 16 , with dressage reaching a climax on the Saturday and showjumping a day later . But if you miss it , the chances are you wo n't have to wait long for another chance . Vegas is so in love with horses , organizers are already planning a bid to bring the event back in 2019 .
Horses complete transatlantic trip to Las Vegas in 'business class ' luxury . 80,000 fans expected as organizers spend $ 8m bringing horses back to Vegas . Comment: World Cup Final trophies to be won -- some of the most prestigious in the sport .