United States Eventing Association

Kalispell, Mont.—July 16—Emotions are heating up along with the weather as The Event at Rebecca Farm marks its 25^th year. Infinite blue sky and lush green grass set the stage for warm reflections of a brilliant history as horses and riders made the most of their chance to pursue their eventing passion here.

Close to 600 horses are gathered, hailing from throughout North America and Canada. An in-depth educational agenda around the Classic USEA Novice and Training Three Days reflects Rebecca Farm’s commitment to the sport’s future. And the surprise early induction of Jerome Broussard into the US Eventing Association’s Hall of Fame Thursday night honored Rebecca Farm and the Broussard family’s huge role in the sport’s evolution.

Presented by non-profit Montana Equestrian Events, Inc., The Event continues through Sunday, July 19 in Kalispell, Montana. Admission is free to the public, and the international action can be viewed via free livestream on Rebecca Farm’s YouTube channel.

Dressage Kick-Off

With the split of FEI dressage divisions into two days, three-time Rebecca Farm CCI4*-L champion James Alliston and the consistently good HMR Rolan sit atop so far with a 30.6 score from judges Bea DiGrazia (USA), Peter Gray (CAN) and Valerie Pride (USA). On Friday, Virginia-based Gabby Dickerson, with Casalto, and Florida-based Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19 will seek to beat that before heading out on Jay Hambly and Bert Wood’s cross-country track Saturday.

CCI4*-L entry numbers are light this year, with the absence of FEI World Championships-bound Tamie Smith, last year’s champion, and a few other regulars. But the intensity of competition is high with potential future stars ready for their close-up on The Event’s international stage.

CCI4*-L dressage continues Friday starting at 1:20 pm MT.

CCI4*-S

As a qualifier for the US Equestrian Open of Eventing, the CCI4*-S is solid in entries and abilities.

Jen Moody leads the first five of a 9-horse field on Team Rebecca’s Fixin De Conde. Moody is based at Rebecca Farm, but she said there’s no home field advantage. “Starting two weeks before, there’s a new porta-potty every day, and flags going up everywhere. It’s hard, but I think he’s taking it in stride.”

She also had her own home-turf disadvantage to overcome in the famously atmospheric Ring 1’s dressage court. “I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well at home,” she shares. “I have a lot of friends and people watching, and sometimes I can psych myself out. This time, I just went in there thinking I’m going to have fun. And I think it worked out pretty well!”

Nicknamed “Pullitz” after a “big fluffy dog” in an old French cartoon, the 11-year-old Selle Francais has been with Moody since December. They got to know each while indooring it through Montana’s snowy winter, then spent spring in California developing their partnership further with three top 10 CCI3*-S finishes.

Per the US Equestrian Open of Eventing’s Fan Guide, Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy are the favorites to win this division, and they’re second in today’s half of the field on a 35.9. Stephanie Goodman and Elwenda DP are third on a 36.9, and fresh from a win at this level at the Aspen Farms Horse Trials.

Wolfert and Playboy are favored primarily for their speed over cross-country. Time has always been tough to make at The Event’s international courses, and Saturday’s excursion is predicted to continue that tradition.

CCI4*-S dressage continues Friday 1:20 pm MT.

Education at Every Turn

Aligning with Rebecca Farm and the Brussard family’s support of eventing’s future, the Event is proud to host the USEA’s Classic Three Day format and support it with a full agenda of educational activities. USEA Grooms Program leaders Max Corcoran and Alyssa Dobrotin led sessions on leg care, cooling strategies and cross-country aftercare, and brought in top horseman to speak about and demonstrate several other topics related to preparing horses for the unique demands of Three Day competition.

Oregon-based amateur Gabrielle Hansen took full advantage of the educational sessions and appreciated the chance to learn more about her horse’s preparation and care. “If you want to be successful in this sport, there needs to be some education happening, whether it’s during the show or something you could sign up for in the off-season,” she commented.

A Novice Three-Day competitor, Hansen works full time as an attorney and rides three to five days a week with Trinity Eventing’s Jennifer Wooten-Macouzet. “I did a lot of learning on my own at home to get ready for this, and the educational sessions have taken that to a next level,” she said. “It’s critical information that we don’t get a lot of exposure to anymore.” Along with sessions on leg care and cooling strategies, Hansen benefited from a Novice Three-Day course walk with CCI4*-L competitor Gabby Dickerson and a session on navigating the Roads and Tracks phase of the classic format.

Halt Cancer at X

Halt Cancer at X is another reason for Rebecca Farm’s renown in and well beyond the equestrian world. Supporting breast cancer research and patients, HCX has raised over $1.1 million since its 2012 inception. Year-round donations are welcome and an auction during The Event is a focal point of the campaign honors the Event’s founder, the late Rebecca Broussard.

This year’s auction items include premiere stabling and RV camp sites for The Event in 2027, a Whitefish Mountain winter vacation and a six-day beach stay in Capitola, California, a set of Dick Francis books and other great packages. Donations and bids on these items can be made here. Auction bidding closes Friday, July 17 at 8:30 p.m. during the Competitors Party and donations are welcome all year.

Where to Find…

Competitor Information

Live Scoring Show Connect

Volunteer Sign-Up

Spectator Information (including schedule and facility map)

Live Stream – RNS Video Media

Halt Cancer at X Fundraising Auction

Official Photographer – Shannon Brinkman

Official Videographer - RNS Video Media

Official Social Media Content Provider – Athletux

Press Officer - Kim F Miller

Follow Rebecca Farm on Facebook and Instagram and RebeccaFarm.org for latest news.