World Cup Equestrian Triathlon returns to Rebecca Farm July 22-25
Published: July 7, 2010
The world’s best horses and riders will compete in The Event at Rebecca Farm July 22-25, with free admission for spectators to the largest equestrian triathlon in the U.S. and one of only 12 stops on the World Cup tour.
Competitors will vie for more than $50,000 in prize money and over $30,000 in trophies and tack awards while they compete in dressage, cross-country and show jumping at the farm, located west of Kalispell.
At each stop on the tour, the best riders earn points toward a portion of a valuable prize fund worth $180,000, awarded to the top 15 riders in the World Cup Eventing standings at the end of the tour. They can also begin qualifying for top spots such as selection to the World Equestrian Games held in Kentucky in September or the Olympics in London in 2012.
For nearly a decade, Rebecca Farm has created courses of the highest quality — and The Event is the biggest of its kind in the United States with more than 450 competitors, 350 volunteers, and nearly 20,000 spectators. In addition to the competition, a trade fair with arts and crafts is also offered throughout The Event with a wide range of food concessions.
“The Event at Rebecca Farm is truly world class,” said Jim Wolf, executive director of sports programs for the United States Equestrian Federation. “The facilities, the footing, and outstanding organization combine to create a premier World Cup event.”
The sport of Eventing is best described as an equestrian triathlon with historic military ties meant to replicate what a horse and rider would go through in the cavalry. The horse and rider complete the three tests as a team, with their cumulative performance determining their final standing.
Dressage is designed to test obedience and the harmony between horse and rider.
Cross-country is designed to test endurance with horses running long distances at high rates of speed. It also tests courage, boldness, confidence, and stamina of both horse and rider.
Show jumping examines precision, agility and technique while jumping over high obstacles and turning when the rider commands it. It is also a test of condition and focus after completing the dressage and cross-country phases.
As part of the FEI Global Education Program, Rebecca Farm will host officials from both Ireland and Australia. Captain Mark Phillips, one of the leading designers in the world for equestrian courses, will again return to Rebecca Farm to design the nine cross-country courses that include three water complexes and 150 different jumps.
“It’s wonderful to host our sixth World Cup event,” said Rebecca Broussard, the farm’s namesake. “We enjoy helping riders in the West compete on the world stage and are thrilled to continue to bring this level of competition to Montana.”
Rebecca Farm, located on Springcreek Road, west of Hwy. 93, is set on 640 acres in a vast glacial valley, set amidst ponds, waterfalls and a creek. Spectators may walk the cross-country course along flagged alleys or watch the overall course from an elevated large grassy area with a great vantage point of the complex.
Schedule of Events
July 21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.: The USEA Spalding Labs Young Event Horse Series gives owners and breeders the opportunity to showcase the potential of their four- and five-year-old horses. The USEA Future Event Horse Series focuses on yearlings, two-year-olds, and three-year-olds.
July 22, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: Dressage, all FEI levels, including National Horse Trial Levels.
July 23, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: Dressage, all FEI Levels; cross-country begins; and National Horse Trials Novice and Training Levels.
July 24, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: Cross-country and National Horse Trial Levels continue.
July 25, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: Show jumping, all levels, with an awards ceremony at the end of each division.
For more information on The Event, visit www.rebeccafarm.org.
