United States Eventing Association

The Key to Success for the Rebecca Farm Three-Star Winners? Friends and Family Support Systems

The overnight leaders in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* and the CCI3* divisions clinched onto their standings in show jumping to claim victory. Both winners hail from California and are members of the Next Level Eventing team and came to The Event at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Mont. with their entire families and support systems.

“This is the only event of the year we all bring our families to. This is one of our very favorite events,” stated Tamra Smith, who just clinched the win in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* division. “Next Level Eventing essentially has an entire compound here. We all camp together, and grill out every evening, and we all have our parents, children, in-laws and other loved ones here for this special event.”

“I couldn’t do it without my family this whole weekend,” said Frankie Thieriot Stutes who just won the CCI3* division with the Chatwin Group’s 10-year-old German Warmblood gelding, Chatwin (by Contendro). “My cousin is here who owns Chatwin with me, my husband is here, my two kids, Kelly [Prather] flew in to help me, and my best buddy is right here too,” Thieriot Stutes said as she pointed to Smith beside her.

Smith competed two horses at The Event at Rebecca Farm this weekend, and while she’s used to competing many more horses on a weekend, she says it’s actually more challenging to have less horses. “When I’m riding fewer horses, I end up teaching more, so I ended up putting in really long days teaching my students,” explained Smith. “It’s tough because you end up teaching a lot, and aren’t able to focus on your rides as well. But I like giving back and helping people when I can – it’s kind of what this sport is about.”

Despite her busy schedule teaching students this week, Smith still managed to pull off a big win in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* with Judith McSwain’s 9-year-old Holsteiner mare, Fleeceworks Royal (Riverman x Marisol). The pair was leading after cross-country on a 35.4 and took one rail down to finish on a 39.4. “Before I went into the arena, Heather [Morris] (who had just won the CCI2*) told me that I could do a six stride on the last line. I said ‘really?’ and she shrugged, but then when I jumped the last combination, I just waited too long to do the six strides, and luckily Rory is wonderful to me, but that rail down was all my fault.” Even with the rail down, Smith still won the division by nearly four points. “She jumped out of her skin as she always does, and was super rideable, so I’m really happy with Rory.”

Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin also took a rail down in their CCI3* division, but still won the division by 3.2 points, ending the weekend on a 32.1. “I just can’t believe it. Chatwin was so good,” stated Thieriot Stutes.

After not getting the result or the consistent round she wanted at The Event at Woodside earlier this season, Thieriot Stutes was disappointed in herself. “I was just really disappointed after Woodside because I hold us to our standard, and to be the best that we can be. This year, my whole goal has just been to be better in show jumping, and I’ve been dragging Chatwin to every jumper show I can. I called Tamie after Woodside and was feeling really down. Tamie gave me great advice, and she said to me ‘your hard work is going to pay off, and you just have to trust that.’ And this weekend it did, and I honestly can’t believe it.”

The two good friends attribute their success this weekend to their support systems and everyone who’s helped them get here, and everyone who’s helped them get through the weekend. “We’d also like to thank the Broussard family for all they’ve done.”

For all scores at The Event at Rebecca Farm, go here.

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About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series

The 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced horse trials and CIC3* levels. The qualifying period begins August 2017 and continues through August 2018 with the final taking place at the 2018 USEA American Eventing Championships at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado, August 29 – September 2, 2018. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money and thousands of dollars in prizes and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final Advanced Division. Click here to learn more about the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.

The USEA would like to thank Adequan, Standlee Hay Company, Nutrena Feeds, Merck Animal Health, Parker Equine Insurance, and FITS for sponsoring the 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.