United States Eventing Association

Kalispell, MONT. (July 18, 2015) -- Rebecca Farm will host an international-level CCI 3-star division at The Event at Rebecca Farm, the largest equestrian triathlon in North America, July 23-26, 2015. The new and most advanced cross-country course yet to be featured here is an important qualifier for Olympic caliber competition. The new course is designed by Olympian Ian Stark, from Scotland, one of the leading course designers in the world. The spectator admission for this family-friendly event is free, with full concessions and a large multi-interest trade fair.

Considered by many to be the ultimate test of horse and rider, the three-phase competition of eventing combines the delicate footwork of dressage, the endurance and courage of cross-country jumping, and the beauty and precision of show jumping. During the four days of competition, thousands of spectators will see some of the finest riders in the nation, as well as many promising young competitors.

"This will be a year not to be missed at Rebecca Farm," said Sarah Broussard, organizer of The Event. "My mother's vision was to help riders in the West compete on the world stage and to create an event where developing riders could compete alongside the best in the world. The Event gets better every summer because of the efforts of so many people-from the wonderful community of volunteers, to all the riders from across the nation who travel great distances to attend."

The new CCI 3-star joins an exclusive group of only three other U.S. competitions at this top level-another important step in Rebecca Farm's goal of providing the best of what U.S. Eventing can offer. Since its inception in 2002, The Event has set records for the number of competitors, growing from 150 in its inaugural year to nearly 600 this summer.

While Rebecca Farm has previously hosted national CIC 3-star events, the CCI adheres to international eventing standards with a more difficult and lengthy cross-country phase. This step for Rebecca Farm raises a new bar to create a CCI 3-star in the U.S. that is truly international quality.

Multiple arenas offer close-up spectator seating for dressage and show jumping, while guests are allowed to walk the cross-country course or view the 640-acre complex from two different hillsides with spectator tents.

The trade fair offers a wide range of food and beverage concessions with more than 80 vendors from Thursday through Sunday, as well as a Kid Zone on the weekend that includes pony rides, face painting, and arts and crafts with Stumptown Art Studio, plus fun games with ImagineIF Libraries. All activities are free.

A $5 parking donation is requested each day to support Halt Cancer at X-an initiative to raise money for breast cancer awareness, community outreach projects, and national research for the cure. Competitors also collect pledges to directly benefit the cause.

More than 40 local sponsors, as well as the 30 newly developed Rebecca Farm Patrons, support The Event at Rebecca Farm that is run by Montana Equestrian Events, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created for the public good. This summer, Rebecca Farm welcomes a new Trophy Sponsor and an exciting partnership with The HealthCenter, an acute care facility providing inpatient and outpatient services in surgery, imaging, rehabilitation, wellness and pain management, and women's health to the Flathead Valley and across the state.

"The HealthCenter is proud to support The Event at Rebecca Farm," says Susan Stevens, director of marketing. "Not only is The Event a family favorite for all of the Flathead Valley, but the funds raised through Halt Cancer at X for cancer research and other local community cancer programs is greatly needed and has benefited many of our patients."

Prior to The Event on Wednesday, July 22, the USEA Young and Future Event Horse Series is featured. The Future Event Horse series judges the potential that yearlings, two-year-olds, and three-year-olds have to become successful event horses. The Young Event Horse series gives owners and breeders the opportunity to showcase the potential of their four- and five-year-old horses.

New this year, Rebecca Farm will offer runners the opportunity to run like the horses in their own 5K. The "Rebecca Farm To Market 5K" will be held Sunday, July 26 at 8 am. Runners can register online for $20 on the Rebecca Farm website or for $25 beginning at 7 am at the pavilion near the Trade Fair. The race is capped at 150 entries and all proceeds will directly benefit Halt Cancer at X.

To access Rebecca Farm, from the junction of Highways 93 & 2, travel 2 miles north on Highway 93 to Reserve Loop and go west 2 miles, then south on W. Springcreek Rd. The entrance is 3/4 mile on the right.

Montana Equestrian Events accepts tax-deductible donations to help offset operational costs, as well as support the Halt Cancer at X campaign. For more information and to donate online, visit www.rebeccafarm.org.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, July 22, 9 am-5 pm
USEA Young and Future Event Horse Series.

Thursday, July 23, 8 am-5 pm
Dressage, all FEI levels. Dressage, National Horse Trial levels. Novice cross-country.
Trade Fair & Food Vendors: 10 am-6 pm

Friday, July 24, 8 am-5 pm
Dressage, all FEI Levels. National Horse Trial levels dressage continues. Cross-country phase for Training, Training 3-Day, Novice 3-Day.
Trade Fair & Food Vendors: 10 am-6 pm

Saturday, July 25, 8 am-5 pm
Cross-Country phase all day. All FEI levels. National Horse Trial Levels continue. Show jumping for Training 3-Day, Sr. Open Novice, Jr. open Novice, Novice 3-Day.
Trade Fair & Food Vendors: 10 am-6 pm
Kid Zone: 10 am-6 pm
Dinner Party & BBQ 7:30 pm

Sunday, July 26, 8 am-5 pm
Show Jumping phase, all remaining levels. Awards ceremony at end of each division.
Rebecca Farm-To-Market XC Run: 8 am
Trade Fair & Food Vendors: 10 am-3 pm
Kid Zone: 10 am-3 pm