The Event at Rebecca Farm, 2018

OFFICIAL 2018 PROGRAM

HOST OF THE NORTH AMERICAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

A WORLD CLASS EQUESTRIAN TRIATHLON JULY 18-22, 2018 Presented by Montana Equestrian Events, Inc.

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A joint venture of local physicians and Kalispell Regional Healthcare.

35 Treeline Rd, Kalispell • (406) 752-3710 (on Hwy 93 in front of Cabela’s Outpost)

Monday - Saturday 6:30am - 10pm Breakfast until 10:30am • Closed on Sunday

PERFORM IN STYLE CoolDown™ IceFil® Jersey & Hampshire™ Tight Proud Sponsor of THE EVENT at Rebecca Farm 2018 irideonridingwear.com

TABLE OF

CONTENTS 8 A STRONG PARTNERSHIP The Broussards welcome you to The Event at Rebecca Farm.

10 FOREWORD From Ingmar de Vos, FEI president 12 WELCOME TO MONTANA Governor Steve Bullock welcomes you to the Big Sky State.

14 COMPETITION SCHEDULE 16 THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND PATRONS The Event at Rebecca Farm would not be possible without these valuable contributors.

COVER PHOTO: Erin Sylvester for the win.

PHOTO BY SHANNON BRINKMAN THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY SHANNON BRINKMAN

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

20 ORGANIZING TEAM These hard-working individuals manage the event.

57 GET YOUR SHINE ON Good grooming matters.

Learn the secrets of eventing’s top grooms.

24 OFFICIALS Judges, stewards, and technical delegates ensure a fair and fun event.

32 2017 RESULTS A look back at last year’s winners.

34 SHOPPING! The Shopping Fair is a popular stop for tack, clothing, and keepsakes.

40 A SPECTATOR’S GUIDE TO EVENTING Highlights of what it takes to win.

BY STACEY NEDROW-WIGMORE

50 A UNIQUE ANIMAL Get a behind-the-scenes look at cross-country course design.

BY AUDREY PAVIA

60 MORE THAN HORSES A look at the community of Rebecca Farm, including the thrill-inducing sport of skijoring 64 REAL LIFE STORIES Halt Cancer at X has an impact on two sisters.

BY ALISSA KINNEY MOE

66 REBECCA FARM SPECIAL PEOPLE The Cajuns are integral to Rebecca Farm 68 SYLVESTER, BACKUS RECEIVE GRANTS The USEA Foundation nurtures eventing talent.

72 LAST YEAR IN PICTURES!

BY LESLIE WYLIE

SPECIAL SECTION 75 THE NORTH AMERICAN

YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS 76 WELCOME YOUNG RIDERS

USEF President Murray Kessler

Allyn Mann, Adequan Title Sponsor

80 INTRODUCTION TO NAYC

82 OFFICIALS AND 2017 WINNERS 86

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK Young competitors experience team competition to prepare for their future.

BY KATIE NAVARRA

REBECCAFARM.ORG

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A STRONG PARTNERSHIP

I

FROM SARAH BROUSSARD AND FAMILY

t’s both a privilege and a pleasure to welcome back young riders and world-class competitors to The Event at Rebecca Farm. Traveling from around the globe, our equestrian family— along with an army of local volunteers—come together to create an atmosphere that is nothing short of magical.

We are honored this year to provide a more permanent venue for the North American Youth Championships. With the success of last year’s initial event here at Rebecca Farm, we look forward to hosting the championships in both 2018 and 2019. I cannot emphasize enough how important the Young Rider Championships are to the future of eventing, nor how proud we are to be a part of it.

At the same time, we are humbled and gratified by the support of our close-knit community, made up of selfless volunteers and enthusiastic spectators alike. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Thank you! The Event simply could not be what it is without you. Reciprocally, we are grateful that we can give back to the community. Last year, as in previous years, The Event generated millions of dollars for the local economy, while showcasing our beautiful Valley for first-time visitors. We’d like to think that ripple effect reaches beyond our local community and throughout our state.

We are also thankful to have had an impact on the Flathead Valley through the charitable work of Halt Cancer at X. Since its inception, the Halt Cancer at X Initiative, has raised almost a half million dollars to fund cancer research and support groups.

Whether competitor, spectator, volunteer or first-time visitor, my family and I welcome you to 2018’s The Event at Rebecca Farm. Bring your lawn chair or spread out your blanket; settle in; and enjoy this heady mix of horse and rider, community, and camaraderie.

SINCERELY,

SARAH BROUSSARD EVENT DIRECTOR

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

N O 1M TH EE FR L

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FOREWORD

O

BY THE FEI PRESIDENT

n behalf of the Fédération Equestre Internationale it is my privilege to welcome you to Rebecca Farm for the FEI Eventing North American Youth Championships 2018, providing a vital opportunity for our young stars to gain championship experience, paving the way to their continued international careers.

Held over two separate locations, the FEI North American Youth Championships are a tremendous platform to highlight the vast depth of talent we have within three equestrian disciplines, showcased over eventing, dressage and jumping. Eventing kicks off the flurry of youth action here at Rebecca Farm, whilst their jumping and dressage counterparts get underway at Old Salem Farm in a couple of weeks’ time.

Youth is of paramount importance to the FEI, at the forefront of decision making, continually driving the future of equestrianism. The FEI North American Championships provide a unique opportunity for up and coming athletes to experience the championship atmosphere, don national colours and uphold the core values of team spirit, decorum and horsemanship on the international stage.

Youth spearheaded the FEI Sports Forum 2018. Leading the first day of discussions was a panel with youth representatives from all disciplines. Each selected representative, an influential leader in their field, joined discussion and debate on proposing solutions and ideas for the future of equestrianism. The youth continues to be extremely influential, a driving force, aiding the FEI decision-making process and helping to shape the future landscape of equestrian sport.

As we build up to the Youth Olympic Games held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, jumping will once again be featured alongside 31 other disciplines from outside the equestrian realm. It is an honor to see the spotlight shone firmly once again on our next generation of riders as they carry the baton as ambassadors for all equestrian disciplines to the Youth Olympic stage.

On behalf of the Fédération Equestre Internationale I would like to thank the organizers, partners, volunteers, officials and horse owners. It goes without saying that thanks must go to our wonderful young athletes and horses who radiate such professionalism and dedication. I look forward with great expectation to watching young people put on a spectacular display of FEI Eventing at Rebecca Farm, setting the tone for a year when youth is featured firmly.

INGMAR DE VOS FEI PRESIDENT 10

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

WATCH THE BEST OF EQUESTRIAN SPORTS

LIVE & ON DEMAND www.fei.tv

Looking to deepen your horsemanship knowledge?

WELCOME FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

I

am pleased to welcome you to the Big Sky State and to The Event at Rebecca Farm.

More than just a gathering of people and their horses—not an unusual sight here in Montana—The Event draws competitors from around the continent, with some of the world’s top eventing horses and riders contending for honors against a breathtaking Montana backdrop. This year, for a second time, The Event will also host the Prestigious North American Youth Championships.

Beyond the obvious thrill of The Event—horse and rider bearing down on a six-foot water obstacle—the setting itself is stunning. A well-groomed, sprawling course is framed by the Swan and Whitefish Ranges, with lakes and waterways a stone’s throw away. And once the competition winds down, the adventures ramp up with white-water rafting, biking, hiking, and kayaking. Glacier Park and Flathead Lake are an easy drive and, if you’re so inclined, you can enjoy a meal or wet your whistle at any number of local restaurants and craft breweries.

The Event at Rebecca Farm is far-reaching in impact. In addition to generating revenues for local and state economies, The Event’s Halt Cancer at X Initiative raises funds for cancer research and cancer support services. Beyond all that, The Event is a “feel good” outing. It relies heavily upon an army of enthusiastic, committed volunteers. The sense of community and camaraderie they engender is as apparent as it is contagious.

We encourage you to bring your lawn chair, engage in the culture, and enjoy this “quintessentially Montana” experience. We are sure you will be encouraged to return again and again. If Montana holds the Crown of the Continent, The Event at Rebecca Farm is one of its finest jewels.

SINCERELY,

STEVE BULLOCK GOVERNOR 12

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

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Free & certified equestrian e-learning

SCHEDULE

Human Therapy on Horseback

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS TUESDAY, JULY 17:

5:30 p.m. Competitor Briefing – FEI & HT 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Rebecca Farm Office Hours

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18: DRESSAGE

10 a.m. Horse Inspection

Novice and Training Three-Day

NAYC

CCI 1*, CCI 2*, CIC 3*, CCI 3*

8 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. Dressage: CCI 1*, Novice and Training Three-Day Intermediate, Preliminary

7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Rebecca Farm Office Hours

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Show Jumping: Novice & Training Three-Day

8 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. Dressage: Arena 1, CCI1*, CCI 2*, CIC 3*, CCI 3* 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. CCIJ1* Dressage, Arena 2, CICOY2* 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Cross-Country: Novice & Training Three-Day, Intermediate, Preliminary

8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Show Jumping: Novice and Training

7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Rebecca Farm Office Hours

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Shopping Fair & Kid Zone Hours

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Shopping Fair & Kid Zone Hours 7:30 – 11 p.m. Event Dinner and Live Music in the Pavilion Tickets available at the Hospitality Tent at Shopping Fair: Adults $25 • Kids Under Ten $15

SUNDAY, JULY 22: SHOW JUMPING

CCIJ1*, CICOY 2*

9 a.m. CCI1*, CCI 2*, CIC 3*, CCI 3*

10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Show Jumping CCI1*, CCI2*, CIC3*, CCI3* CCIJ1*, CICOY 2*

7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Rebecca Farm Office Hours

8 a.m. Horse Inspection

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Shopping Fair & Kid Zone Hours

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Shopping Fair Hours

FRIDAY, JULY 20: DRESSAGE, CROSS-COUNTRY & SHOW JUMPING

7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Rebecca Farm Office Hours

8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Cross-Country: Novice & Training

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CCIJ1*, Dressage, Arena 2, CCIJ1*

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Show Jumping: Intermediate, Preliminary

3 p.m. Cross-Country Course Open-FEI and NAYC

8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Cross Country: CICOY 2*, CCI 2*, CCI 3*, CIC 3*, CCIJ1*, CCI 1*

7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Rebecca Farm Office Hours

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THURSDAY, JULY 19: DRESSAGE & CROSS-COUNTRY

8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Dressage: Arenas 1–6, Novice and Training

SATURDAY, JULY 21: CROSS-COUNTRY & SHOW JUMPING

3 p.m. Cross Country Course Open-Horse Trial divisions

“Making Miracles Happen Since 1997”

AWARDS CEREMONY TO FOLLOW THE CONCLUSION OF EACH DIVISION. Please note this is a tentative schedule and subject to change.

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SPONSORS

SPONSORS

Thank you to the 2018 sponsors of The Event at Rebecca Farm

BRONZE

PLATINUM Moore, Cockrell, Goicoechea & Johnson, P.C.

Montana Right Now

GOLD Schellinger Construction

SILVER

George, Jane and Emery Warren

We regret any omission of sponsor names and logos received after the program deadline.

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

KID ZONE

We regret any omission of sponsor names and logos received after the program deadline.

REBECCAFARM.ORG

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PATRONS

REBECCA FARM PATRONS PLUS Tim & Nina Gardner

Brian and Norma Murray

TC Origitano MD & Claudine Fasano

C

JANE KARAS

M

Y

CM

MY

REBECCA FARM PATRONS

CY

CMY

K

Ruth and David Ackroyd

The Hogan Family

Frank and Paula Sweeney

Ellen Ahearn and Eric Markell

Melissa Hollatz

R.G. Thomas Professional Corp.

Altorac Farm-Alexandra Baugh Eventing

Wink and Joy Jordan

Mr. and Mrs. Louis J Walters

Auburn Laboratories, Inc.

Kalispell Convention & Visitor Bureau

Elizabeth White and Felicia Spencer

John S. Chaney

Kramer Family Fund/

Bob & Kay Willmarth

Whitefish Community Foundation

Lori Stafford, Cathy Covey

Meadow Lake Development Corp.

Tommy and Linda Greco

Kathryn Mercord

Anne Hackman-Morris

Diane Pitts

Steve and Jill Hackman

Antares Custom Saddles

KERRITS/ GALLOPS STORE

STABLING AREA

XC COURSE

NEW OFFICE

Jennifer Colston and Zoey Greenwood XC START

Hillbilly Farms Sport Horses

XC FINISH

SPECTATOR HILL

Sarah Stevenson ARENAS

TRADE FAIR

We regret any omission of sponsor names and logos received after the program deadline.

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE EVENT AT REBECCA FARM

RAINBOW POND

PJ Rismon

Arthur and Katherine Harris

NORTH

Andy and Pat Young

The Mutek Family

Marvin and Jane Hackman

KERRITS AMBASSADOR LOUISE LESLIE; PHOTO CRED: SHANNON BRINKMAN

NORTH GATE

Darrell Worm

The Messmer Family

MaryAnn and Mike Hackman

W. RESERVE DRIVE

Doug and Bet Wise

PARKING

COMPETITOR ENTRANCE FARM TO MARKET ROAD

WEST SPRING CREEK ROAD

Gia Wellness

SHOP KERRITS’ COMPLETE COLLECTION ON THE SHOW GROUNDS IN THE STABLING AREA. OPEN 9-5, WED-SUN

MAIN ENTRANCE

GET POSTING! FOLLOW @KERRITSEQ

TEAM THE EVENT IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF YOU Jump Judges

ORGANIZING TEAM Event Director: Jerome Broussard Event Organizer & Spokesperson: Sarah Broussard Operations Coordinator: Alison Heppner Accounting Coordinator: Jennifer Johnson Development Coordinator: Marcia Spano Secretary: Christina Gray Office Staff: Katie Trafton, Kat McKinstry, Alyssa Dobrotin Cross Country Jump Judge Coordinator: Kurstie Hammel Dressage Coordinator: Heidi Diegel Show Jumping Coordinator: Cathy Rasch Assistant: Erica Burlingame Classic Series Education Coordinator: Max Corcoran Cross-Country Course Builder: Bert Wood Crew: Amon Brown, Zane Webb, Adri Doyle, Suzy Hettich Louis Blankenship and Bryndon Perkins Flowers: Kris Wood and Alyssa Dobrotin Control: Travis Jennings Assistants: Malcolm Hook, Pat Linnan and Ann Haller Announcers: John Kyle, Travis Jennings, Charlotte Skinner Malcolm Hook and Joe Carbonari Safety Coordinator: Mindi Passons Veterinarian Coordinator: Bob Genovese, DVM Ambulance Services Provided By: West Valley Volunteer Fire & Rescue Stabling Coordinator: Louise Leslie Assistant: Jani Mortensen NAYC Hospitality Coordinator/Liason: Jennifer Akers Assistants to NAYC Hospitality Coordinator: Rosemary Thomas 20

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

NAYC Travel Coordinator: Max Corcoran NAYC Stabling Coordinator: Jani Mortensen NAYC “High Five” Coordinator: Howard Simpson NAYC Catering Services: Chik-fil-A Kalispell, MacKenzie River Pizza, Staggering Ox and Flathead Valley Community College Chief Timer/Starter: Joy Jordan Timers/Starters: Greg Benson, Jody Collins, Courtney Gamble, Frank Sweeney, Rick Patterson, Jim Langley, Zack Anderson, BR Hughes, Tim Hinderman, Lynda Osborne, and Flathead Valley Ski Foundation Scorers: The Scoring Chix Treating Veterinarians: Bob Genovese and Kevin Morrell Veterinary Hospital: LaSalle Equine Clinic Public Relations: Courtenay Sprunger, Big Sky Public Relations; Frankie Thieriot-Stutes, Athletux Shopping Fair Coordinator: Alison Heppner On-Site Supervisor: Danny Hooper Crew: Ben Bates, Matt Hooper and Meg Brummel Hospitality Coordinators: Elizabeth Lendrum and Mildred Shaw Assistant to Elizabeth Lendrum: Randi Ruff Ambassadors and Crew: Rebecca Broussard, John Shaw Chaney, Mia Furst, Jane Manzella, Nonnie Hopper, Jeannette Leighton, Erin Hofmann, Connie Thomas, Lois Bloebaum, Mary Jo Manning, Tim Roe, Katherine Keener and Wes Keener Shuttle Drivers: David Herrenbruck and Patrick Koontz

Dressage Volunteers Show Jumping Volunteers Cover/Creative/Design: Snowghost Design

Workers and Helpers

Event Videographer: Debi and Bob Ravenscroft, Ride On Video Event Photographer: Shannon Brinkman

Bob and Kay Wilmarth

Rebecca Farm Photographer: Jeff Lendrum Catering Coordinator: Les Simon Crew: Beth Simon, Josh McGriff, Megan Groves, Emily Martin, Timberly Barton, Heather Barton, Colleen Johansen, Maren Schuman and Baylor Johnson Volunteer Catering Coordinators: Maria Bienvenu and Livvy Bienvenu; Café Bienvenu Crew: Linda Greco, Adrienne Keel, Suzanne Keel, Jeff Lendrum and Peggy Henderson Distribution Coordinator: Kim Turner Crew: Kaleb Turner Catering Services Provided By: Tea Kettle Catering, Bonelli’s Bistro, Desoto Grill, MacKenzie River Pizza, Staggering Ox, Kalispell Brewing Company, Sykes and Flathead Valley Community College

Flathead Valley Community College Last Minute Volunteers and all of the Countless Others.

THANK YOU

Farm Management Coordinator: Todd Fedor Farm Crew: Justin Richmond, Jason Burlingame, Kade McCutcheon, Garrett Jewett, Keenan Willis, Alyssa Hammel, Ashley Hammel, Lindsey Hammel, Kim Turner, Kyler Turner, Kim Vierra, Taylor Diehl, Scott Rossman, Emily Hilde, Kestra Gorder, Alexis Mitchell, Toby Deigel, Tommy Deigel and Eliza Deigel Awards Coordinator: Nikki Oaks Assistants: Jane Karas, Katsy Keel, Julie Gardner and Leslie Mercord

Chief Purchasing Coordinator: John Shaw Chaney The Event Store: Olivia Krause, Cajun Design LLC Program Project Management/Publisher: E-Squared Editorial Services Editor: Emily Esterson Art Director: Glenna Stocks Associate Editors: Ashley M. Biggers, Alissa Kinney Moe

Golf Cart Recovery Team: Henri Bienvenu, Reuben Bienvenu and Butch Thornton Communications Coordinator: Daren Wieferich Computer Services: Greg Naive, Flathead Apple Service Travel Arrangements: Carrie Nelson, Flathead Travel Service REBECCAFARM.ORG

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Good Luck to all competitors at the 17th annual The Event at Rebecca Farm

35 Treeline Rd, Kalispell • 406-752-3710 (On Hwy 93 in front of Cabela’s Outpost)

Monday – Saturday 6:30am – 10pm • Breakfast until 10:30am • Closed on Sunday

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

REBECCAFARM.ORG

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OFFICIALS

FEI TECHNICAL DELIGATE

FEI PRESIDENT OF GROUND JURY

FEI GROUND JURY

Patricia is dedicated to the sport of eventing and has an in-depth knowledge, having been a competitor, official and organizer both nationally and internationally. She has competed at 4* level in eventing and Intermediare in dressage, is a British Eventing Steward, FEI Technical Delegate and Event Director at Chatsworth International Horse Trials. Patricia has also worked extensively promoting the sport of eventing, on behalf of the FEI, in sub-Saharan Africa including education of officials, helping developing countries stage FEI classes and building on existing levels.

A former competitor in eventing and dressage, Christina has lived nearly all her life in Sweden, except for two years in the United States where she trained with George Morris.

She’s now focused on breeding, but she still rides and trains at her home outside Stockholm. She’s a National GranPrix Judge, 3/4* Ground Jury and 1/2* TD. She officiates at many events, including small 1* competitions in Poland and Europe to the 4* Kentucky Three-Day Event, and others in Australia, India, Brazil and Argentina.

Peter has competed at most major international events in Europe and North America, including Land Rover Kentucky, Badminton, Burghley, Luhmulen, Saumur, Boekolo, Le Lion D’Angers, and Punchestown. He has competed in three Olympic Games and two World Championships and is a Pan Am eventing individual bronze medalist.

Peter is one of only two Equestrian Canada certified Level 4 coaches, and he recently signed on to coach the Colombian eventing team until the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020. Peter has been awarded his EC Level 2 judge’s card, USEF “R” eventing judge and is a FEI 1/2* eventing judge.

Patricia Clifton, Great Britain

Christina Klingspor, Stockholm, Sweden

FEI GROUND JURY

Jane Hamlin, New Hampshire, USA

FEI ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DELIGATE

Tim Murray, Massachusetts, USA

ALLIE CONRAD

Tim grew up foxhunting in Hamilton, Massachusetts, and began eventing in 1970. He has competed through the intermediate level, but for the last 10 years has focused his riding efforts on buying and retraining OTTBs. Tim has also been active on the administrative side of the sport, serving six years on the USEA Board of Governors and six years as a trustee of the USEA Endowment Trust. For 10 years, he cochaired the USEA Young Riders’ Committee and is currently a member of the USEA Licensed Officials Committee.

Jane Hamlin is an active event and dressage rider, trainer and coach based at Pirouette Farm in Norwich, Vermont.

She has produced successful riders from beginner level through Olympic level. She enjoys teaching both adult amateurs as well as young riders and is a popular clinician. In addition to riding and teaching Jane maintains her FEI 3* /4 * judge’s license as well as USEF national event and dressage judge’s license. Her judging career includes judging at Adelaide 4* event in Australia, the six- and seven-year-old event horse championships at Le Lion-d’Angers in France and the European YR Championships at Montelibretti, Italy. This year Jane is excited to be included on the ground jury of both Land Rover Kentucky and the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina.

Peter Gray, Canada

FEI CHIEF STEWARD

Janis M. Linnan, Idaho, USA Janis has extensive competition, officiating, and managerial experience. She is licensed as an FEI 3*/4* eventing judge, USEF “S” eventing judge, and FEI chief steward in dressage, eventing, and para dressage. She currently serves as the FEI steward general for eventing in the US, is chair of the Eventing Licensed Officials Committee, and sits on the USEA Board of Governors.

FEI DEPUTY CHIEF STEWARD

Dana Diemer, North Carolina Dana is an FEI Level 2 Steward for Eventing.

She has been involved in the sport since 1992 as a volunteer, organizer, parent, wife and owner of event horses.

Some officials may not be listed because of publication deadlines.

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

REBECCAFARM.ORG

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OFFICIALS

She currently works for the Carolina Horse Park, managing the cross country portion of ten competitions a year. Dana is an active competitor in Combined Driving and was recently named to the USEF Developing Athlete Program for that sport.

FEI APPRENTICE VET

Katie Seabaugh, DVM, Georgia, USA TECHNICAL DELEGATE

Andrew Temkin, California, USA

Dr. Williamson is a 1987 graduate of The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.

She is a South Carolina native who now resides in Harwood, Maryland, where she runs a farm and her mobile veterinary practice, Williamson Equine Veterinary Assoc. She has been involved in eventing for 26 years and has acted as an FEI official for more than 18 years.

Andrew has competed successfully through the 3* level in both CICs and CCIs, including at The Event at Rebecca Farm CIC***.

Andrew served two terms on the Board of the United States Eventing Association and eight years on the United States Equestrian Federation Eventing Committee. He is the current chair of the USEF Eventing Rules Working Group. He regularly officiates at competitions throughout the United States, including the 2015 and 2016 Lexington Kentucky 4* Three-Day Event, and was a technical official for eventing at the 2016 Olympic Games. In 2017 Andrew was the assistant technical delegate at the Badminton Horse Trials.

FEI ASSISTANT VET DELEGATE

ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DELEGATE

Kris has owned a sport horse–based equine practice for over 18 years and practiced in Kansas City for a few years prior to moving to the Lake Tahoe area, where she currently resides. Kris has been a FEI accredited veterinarian since 1997 and has worked many events, dressage, and show jumping competitions including 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 1991 Pan American Games in Chatsworth, Georgia.

A lifelong eventing rider and Southern California native, Sarah has immersed herself in the sport from a young age.

She studied Equine Business at Cal Poly Pomona where she competed on the IHSA hunt seat equitation team and started her career in equestrian insurance, combining her education with her passion for horses. Today, Sarah is Operations Manager of LEG Insurance Solutions. She has competed through 2* Eventing, and she is a licensed “r” USEF Technical Delegate for Eventing, USEF “r” Jumper Judge and a FEI Level 1 Eventing Steward.

FEI ASSISTANT STEWARD

Kathy Barker, Pennsylvania, USA Chris Hayner, Ohio, USA FEI VET DELEGATE

Dr. Debbie Williamson, Maryland, USA

Kris Purcell, Nevada, USA

Sarah Rajoy, California, USA

NATIONAL GROUND JURY PRESIDENT

Gretchen Butts, Maryland, USA

Gretchen spent 25 years as a nurse practitioner while gaining her vast experience in eventing. Gretchen has been an eventing competitor at the international 4* level, event organizer at Waredaca since 1979, FEI international event technical delegate, US Equestrian eventing “R” technical delegate, FEI international eventing judge, USA equestrian eventing “R” judge, FEI steward, past member of the Board of Governors and vice president of education of the United States Eventing Association, chief jump judge for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, international technical official at the 2008 Olympic Games, and assistant technical delegate for the 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG).

NATIONAL GROUND JURY MEMBER

Valerie Vizcarrondo Pride, Maryland, USA Valerie Vizcarrondo Pride is an active rider and official who runs a training operation, Blue Clover Eventing, specializing in event horses.

As a rider, Valerie trained with influential Olympic judges who mentored her as she pursued her eventing judge’s licenses. In 2010 she received her “r” event judge’s license. In 2016, she received her “R” event judge’s license and received the inaugural Roger Haller Grant, which enabled her to dually pursued her “S” license and her FEI 1/2* license. Additionally, Valerie was approved into the FEI Global Education Program for Eventing Officials.

Some officials may not be listed because of publication deadlines.

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

USEA CLASSIC SERIES

OFFICIALS

NATIONAL GROUND JURY MEMBER

CLASSIC GROUND JURY MEMBER

SHOW JUMPING COURSE DESIGNER

Amanda resides in Clayton, North Carolina. She runs Miller Eventing, which provides training for horse and rider.

She has competed through the advanced level of eventing and third-level dressage. In 2006, she became an USEA certified instructor, the youngest to be certified at that time. In 2012, Amanda received her “r” event judge’s license and was promoted to a “R” in 2016, one of only five in the US. Amanda has served on the NCDCTA Board since 2010, and recently became president for 2017.

Deeda Randle grew up riding in the mountains in northwest Wyoming, and her love of dressage and eventing started when she attended Meredith Manor School of Horsemanship in 1974.

Since that time, Deeda has been active in promoting both sport and education in dressage and eventing. Deeda owns and operates Randle Equestrian LLC, a small, custom lesson and training business. She has managed FEI eventing competitions at the Colorado Horse Park, smaller events and currently is show manager for the Cheyenne Dressage Show. Deeda is currently licensed as a USEF Eventing judge, TD and Dressage TD as well as FEI Dressage Steward.

Chris grew up in England and learned to ride at the age of eight. In 1994, Chris moved to the United States and continued his equestrian career at the Millbrook Equestrian Center in Millbrook, New York, as a trainer and rider. Chris is a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) licensed show jumping course designer. He designs courses for numerous FEI events, including The Fork CIC***, Morven Park CIC***, and the Virginia Horse Trials CCI**. He’s assisted FEI course designer Richard Jeffery at the National Horse Show and at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

DRESSAGE JUDGE

William runs Jump the Stars Equestrian out of Paris, Kentucky, where he specializes in training young horses, teaching all levels of riders, and designing both show jumping and cross country courses for several Area III and VIII competitions. A USEF “r” licensed eventing course designer, William has worked with the designers for the Park Equine Kentucky Classique Horse Trials and Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event and Horse Trials. He has been the show jumping designer for multiple events throughout the Mid-South, and has worked with Derek di Grazia, David O’Connor, and Mark Donovan, among others.

CLASSIC GROUND JURY PRESIDENT

Debbie Adams, New Jersey, USA

Debbie has extensive experience in eventing from all angles.

She is an “S” USEF Judge for Eventing; “r” USEF Judge for Dressage, and Judge for YEH in the USEA program for young event horses. She has competed at the top levels of eventing as well as FEI levels of dressage. She was the original organizer of Flora Lea Horse Trials beginning in 1975 (still running today) and Jersey Fresh Three Day. As producer of the D.A. sport horses and coaching students, she continues to enjoy success at all levels of the sport.

Deeda Randle, Wyoming, USA

Christel Carlson, British Columbia, Canada Christel Carlson is a “S” dressage, “R” dressage sport horse breeding (DSHB), and FEI 3* para-equestrian judge. She owns Spokane Sport Horse Farm, a 150-acre boarding, breeding, and show facility where she has hosted dressage shows and DSHB for 20+ years (seven shows per year) and two yearly United States Eventing Association (USEA) events through the intermediate level (new in 2017). She has earned qualifications for FEH and YEH judging. She actively competed for many years on horses she bred and trained: first in jumpers, then in eventing, before eventually concentrating on dressage while earning her bronze, silver, and gold United States Dressage Federation (USDF) medals.

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

2018 SCHEDULE

ASSISTANT SHOW JUMPING COURSE DESIGNER

William Robertson, Kentucky, USA

WARM UP STEWARD

Don Trotter

Some officials may not be listed because of publication deadlines.

28

The thrill of the ‘chase lives on for those who want to experience the unforgettable rush of the classic long format three-day event! Long format events from the Preliminary to Beginner Novice levels are still a reality with the USEA Classic Series and include roads and tracks, steeplechase, and cross-country on “endurance day,” as well as horse inspections. Educational activities are also offered at the Classic Series Events. For more information visit: www/useventing.com/competitions/classic

Chris Barnard, New York, USA

Preliminary Three-Day Events Heart of the Carolinas | May 3-6 | Chesterfield, SC (Area III) Hagyard Midsouth | October 17-21 | Lexington, KY (Area VIII) Waredaca Classic Event and H.T. | October 25-28 | Laytonsville, MD (Area II) Training Three-Day Events Fresno County H.T. | April 27-29 | Fresno, CA (Area VI) Heart of the Carolinas | May 3-6 | Chesterfield, SC (Area III) Indiana Eventing Association | May 31 - June 3 | Edinburgh, IN (Area VIII) Coconino | July 11-15 | Flagstaff, AZ (Area X) Event at Rebecca Farm | July 18-22 | Kalispell, MT (Area VII) Spokane Sport Horse Farm H.T. | October 5-7 | Spokane, WA (Area VII) Hagyard Midsouth | October 17-21 | Lexington, KY (Area VIII) Waredaca | October 25-28 | Laytonsville, MD (Area II) Galway Downs | November 1-4 | Temecula, CA (Area VI)

usea/leslie mintz photo

Amanda Miller, North Carolina, USA

Novice Three-Day Events Fresno County H.T. | April 27-29 | Fresno, CA (Area VI) Heart of the Carolinas | May 3-6 | Chesterfield, SC (Area III) Indiana Eventing Association | May 31-June 3 | Edinburgh, IN (Area VIII) Coconino | July 11-15 | Flagstaff, AZ (Area X) Event at Rebecca Farm | July 18-22 | Kalispell, MT (Area VII) Park Equine KY Classique | August 31-September 2, 2018 | Lexington, KY (Area VIII) Spokane Sport Horse Farm | October 4-7 | Spokane, WA (Area VII) Waredaca | October 25-28 | Laytonsville, MD (Area II) Beginner Novice Three-Day Events Heart of the Carolinas | May 3-6 | Chesterfield, SC (Area III) Western Underground, Inc Coconino Summer | July 11-15 | Flagstaff, AZ (Area X) Park Equine KY Classique | August 31-September 2, 2018 | Lexington, KY (Area VIII) Spokane Sport Horse Farm | October 4-7 | Spokane, WA (Area VI) The Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy | October 11-14 | Adamstown, MD (Area II)

OFFICIALS

FEI CROSS COUNTRY COURSE DESIGNER

CROSS COUNTRY COURSE DESIGNER/BUILDER

CROSS COUNTRY COURSE DESIGNER

Ian Stark was born in Glashiels in the Borders Region of Scotland and began riding at the age of 10. He was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Stark won silver medals for eventing in both the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic games and the 2000 games in Sydney. Other accomplishments include silver medals at the 1988 Seoul Games and World Championships, gold medals in the European Eventing Championships (1991 and 1997), and a win at Badminton in 1999. Stark retired from competition after the 2007 Kentucky Three-Day Event. He started designing courses in 2010.

Bert has been involved in eventing for the last 30 years.

If he’s not building or designing, he’s riding. He has been involved in courses all over the country as well as abroad.

He takes great pride in his work and really enjoys creating jumps and technical questions for upper as well as lower level competitors. Of course the chainsaw carvings and creating jumps like tractors, guns, and corn cobs are his favorite part of the job.

Marc is an experienced event rider who has competed through the Advanced level and ridden several horses through the CCI**. He is a graduate A pony clubber and an ICP level 3 certified instructor. He is an “r” licensed course designer.

Ian Stark, Scotland, UK

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

Bert Wood

Marc Grandia, Washington, USA

Championships, Pan American Games and numerous CCIs around the world. Max does freelance now, continuing to travel to high-level competitions grooming for riders from many different countries. She organizes the Middleburg Horse Trails and helps organize Great Meadow International, Ocala Jockey Club, The Fork, Rebecca Farm and the 2018 World Equestrian Games. Additionally Max is on the USEA’s Board of Governors.

Max is originally from northeast Massachusetts and graduated from Northeastern University. She now lives in Ocala, Florida with her partner Scott who trains and competes Grand Prix show jumpers.

CLASSIC SERIES EDUCATION COORDINATOR AND NAYC TRAVEL COORDINATOR

ANNOUNCERS: John Kyle, Charlotte Skinner, Malcolm Hook, Joe Carbonari

Max Corcoran has been grooming at the highest level for over 17 years for some of the best in the world. She worked for the O’Connor Event Team for 11 years traveling everywhere with Karen; Olympics, World

USEA PRESIDENT: Carol Kozlowski

Max Corcoran, Florida, USA

SCORING: Dawn and Greg Benson, Mimi and Mark Belger, Diana McFadden USEA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Rob Burk USEA CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER: Jo Whitehouse

5:30 6:30 10:00 ABC CHANNEL 23.1

9:00

FOX CHANNEL 23.2

SWX CHANNEL 23.3

REBECCAFARM.ORG

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RESULTS

2017 RESULTS CCI3*

Erin Sylvester Paddy the Caddy

CCI2*

Derek di Grazia Ringwood Justice

CCI1*

Rebecca Braitling Santana II

CIC3*

Tamra Smith Fleeceworks Royal

JR. OPEN TRAINING A Electra Holberton Corner Street

JR. OPEN TRAINING B Charlotte Babbitt 2 A.M.

SR. OPEN TRAINING A Kelsey Horn Sir William

SR. OPEN TRAINING B Allie Busch Zenari

JR. OPEN NOVICE A Lilly Linder Billy

JR. OPEN NOVICE B Abigail Coy Irish Kreme

JR. OPEN NOVICE C Maile Drennen Black Irish Knight

SR. OPEN NOVICE A Sara Mittleider RHF Peterzano

OPEN INTERMEDIATE

SR. OPEN TRAINING C

SR. OPEN NOVICE B

JR./Y.R. OPEN PRELIMINARY

SR. OPEN TRAINING D

SR. OPEN NOVICE C

Jennie Brannigan FE Lifestyle

Kayla Dumler Mateo

OPEN PRELIMINARY A Marc Grandia Campari FFF

OPEN PRELIMINARY B Stephanie Cooper Sketchy Past

Anna Collier Last Call

Asia Vedder Isi

TRAINING THREE-DAY A

Coreena Koschewski After Dark

TRAINING THREE-DAY B

Jordan Linstedt Staccato

Kathryn Daniel de la Renta

McKenzie Rollins Excel Star Lord

SR. OPEN NOVICE D Karen O’Neal Danciana

NOVICE THREE-DAY Mauri Anderson Releve’

FUTURE EVENT HORSE FOUR YEAR OLD Cynthia Bayles India CLF

FUTURE EVENT HORSE THREE YEAR OLD Jil Walton JB Red Hot Sizzle

FUTURE EVENT HORSE TWO YEAR OLD

MOORE, COCKRELL, GOICOECHEA & JOHNSON, P.C. Attorneys at Law

Proud sponsors of The Event at Rebecca Farm

TRY IS SUCH A LITTLE WORD. BUT THE REWARDS CAN BE AWFULLY BIG. What is it within us that makes us try? And when we fail, try again?

It’s a limitless desire to be better.

For ourselves, our loved ones, our community. As a proud supporter of The Event at Rebecca Farm, we applaud that.

Dawn Gronlund Ferragamo CCSH

FUTURE EVENT HORSE YEARLING Jil Walton JB Virgin Electric

YOUNG EVENT HORSE 4 YEAR OLD Tamra Smith MB MaiStein

YOUNG EVENT HORSE 5 YEAR OLD Christi Payne Mtnaire’s Paladium

145 Commons Loop, Ste 200 P.O. Box 7370 Kalispell, Montana 59904 406-751-6000 www.mcgalaw.com Fifth Third Bank. Member FDIC.

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

REBECCAFARM.ORG

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VENDORS

SHOP ’TIL YOU DROP! home, work, and play; they are comfortable and durable for all hair types with limitless styling options.

Inside Tent

A Wee Bit: We create beautiful and affordable leather items.

Come see our line of sterling, copper, and leather with gemstones bracelets and cuffs, one of a kind leather tooled, textile handbags, journals, guitar straps, and more.

Mountain Meadows Herbs: Locally made herbal liquid extracts! We offer over 200 herbal extracts, sold as single extracts or combined into over 40 proprietary blends for specific health support.

Beargrass Leather: Beargrass Leather hand-crafts leather handbags and accessories in NW Montana. Inspired by the modern West. Built to last.

Be the Blessing Studio: De-tangler, body butter, balms, hand crafted soaps, and metal signs.

Bitchin’ Beads: Lampwork glass artists and jewelry designers using propane and oxygen we melt glass into one of a kind wearable art. We use sterling silver and Swarovski crystals to finish our jewelry.

Bison Saddlery: Bison Saddlery offers over 45 years experience in providing hand crafted saddlery and leather goods, as well as on-site repair and saddle fit services.

Boot Barn: Boot Barn is a leader in Western, work, ad Western fashion. Boot BarnWelcome Home.

Dirty Trails Soap: Handcrafted vegan/palm free soaps, body butters, lip balms, and dog paw balms made with sustainable plant based ingredients. Only the 34

Mountain Top Saddlery: purest oils, butters and essential oils are used in our products.

Flathead Spay and Neuter Task-Force: We were the first non-profit spay/neuter clinic in Montana, operating at our current facility since 2002. Pets of veterans and active duty military are treated at no charge.

Gabe Gabel Studio: Gabe Gabel Studio is showing Gabe’s bronzes and T Kurtz’s pastel paintings

GIA Wellness: GIA offers wellness innovations for the wireless age. Our 21st century wireless lifestyle, with its 24/7 stress, dehydration, compromised energy immune function, requires a new generation of wellness tools and performance aids.

Greater Good Ranch/Horse Sense Healing: Equine and canine bodywork sessions, workshops and online classes.

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

Henneford Fine Furniture: Beautiful hardwood furniture using exposed joinery and old-world techniques. Every piece is hand made one at a time then finished with a hand rubbed oil finish.

A certified DP-Saddlery (Certified Dealer) with an adjustable gullet and custom rope halters and tack from Knot Just for Horses.

Moondance Artwork: Copper jewelry from recycled copper, metals, and wire.

Jewelry By Design: Handmade gemstone jewelry- necklaces, earrings, and bracelets: turquoise, red coral, amethyst, and much more.

Noble Horse Gallery: Urban

Pillow Talk & Rug Runners:

14k+ one-of-a-kind jewelry with precious and semi-precious stones.

handmade pillows and rugs with new Pendleton Woolen Mills fabric and beautiful western home décor.

Leia Fox Designs: Handmade Southwestern jewelry, vintage and contemporary Native American jewelry, and custom shaped palm leaf hats and hat accessories.

Lilla Rose with Heather Ore: Unique and fashionable handmade hair accessories, for

equestrian apparel, gifts, vintage items, and unique home furnishings.

O’Keef & Co: Sterling silver and

Orange Expo Trading: We sell EMS massagers and kneading massage devices.

Patty Blonda: Endorsed by Linda Tellington Jones; BEMER- twenty year old proven technology that improves blood flow through human and animal applications available.

ADEQUAN USEA GOLD CUP SERIES

VENDORS

White Medallion Italian leather English tack, crystal items for horses, people and dogs, other dog items, uniquely designed half chaps and equestrian themed handbags.

Real Time Pain Relief: Offering a non-GMO, paraben, and SLSfree pain creams and supplements. Formulated for you or your pet.

Revitavet Therapy Systems: Revitavet infared therapy devices for preventative maintenance and rehab.

Ruseler’s Custom Creations: Handy sharp sharpeners, knives, pocket plus pouches, and lynx hooks straps. Free knife sharpening at the show along with ongoing demonstrations on how to sharpen various tools.

R+T Traders: R+T Traders handcrafts one-of-a-kind leather satchels. Creating rustic elegance out of buffalo, elk, moose, deer and cowhide leather.

Scenic Overlooks: Lapidary art including gem trees, spheres, bookends, and displays. Wood and stone home or art pieces that are hand made cut or milled then polished.

Sunti World Art Gallery: Sunti World Art Gallery proudly presents master charcoal artist, Kowit Sernklang , as he demonstrates the unique art of painting with crushed charcoal.

Stubben North America: English saddles and tack.

Strych 9 Designs Metal Works: We are a metal art, furniture, 36

and fabrication business, building custom handmade pieces without using computer technology. All pieces are drawn and cut by hand.

Dealers. Home of Chevy Silverado­—The most dependable, longest-lasting full size pickups on the road.

Tanner Jensen Fine Arts: Con-

venture of local physicians and Kalispell Regional Healthcare, combines a surgery center, diagnostic center, specialty clinics, and inpatient rehabilitation center to provide advanced health care in a serene and beautiful setting.

temporary equine artwork for the modern equestrian. Original artwork, archival prints, and cards by C. Tanner Jensen.

The Log Cabin: The Log Cabin offers custom Montana shirts while you wait. Come see our selection of jewelry, flip flops, and canvas art.

Triple Crown Nutrition: Premium equine feeds and supplements for every stage of your horse’s life.

The HealthCenter: A joint

Humane Society of Northwest Montana: The Humane Society of Northwest Montana, home of the Charlotte Edkins Animal Adoption Center, is dedicated to finding loving homes for orphaned cats and dogs.

Unbelts: Elastic belts that lie flat under your tees and showjackets. Machine washable in your beltloops and adjustable from 0-24X, Unbelts create a perfect fit for breeches.

Isagenix: Nutritional products/

Young Living: Young Living

JLT Enterprise: Hay-easy trailer

essential Oils.

OUTSIDE TENT Antares Custom Saddles: Driven by performance and the search for excellence, Antares Sellier combines knowledge and unique technology to provide both horse and rider the ultimate performance.

Dubarry of Ireland: Dubarry of Ireland is a premium performance heritage brand, est. 1937. Known for their fine leather footwear, as well as clothing and accessories.

Eisinger Motors: Find new roads at your Montana Chevy

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

supplements for wellness, weight, energy, performance, healthy aging, and wealth creation as part of a cleansing nutritional rebalancing system.

tarp system is a durable and simple hay tarp for your open hay rack. One time installation is built to last. www.hay-easy.com

Sally Vannoy Fine Art: Sally Vannoy’s drawing ability coupled with her passion for horses are fully rendered in life size paintings. Please visit: www.Sallyvannoy.com

Save a Sister: The Save a Sister initiative is a collaboration between Kalispell Regional Healthcare, North Valley Hospital, and the Flathead City-County Health Department. Our mission is to lessen the impact of breast cancer in our community.

FOOD

The Adequan USEA Gold Cup consists of 11

Whitefish Crepes: Savory and

qualifying competitions at the Advanced and CIC3*

sweet crepes! Gluten free options. Visit our downtown Whitefish Café—123 Central Ave. www.amazingcrepes.com

levels which culminate at the USEA American Eventing Championships. The $40,000 Adequan

Black Gold Espresso: Black

Advanced division serves as the Gold Cup

Gold espresso is a mobile espresso van that brews up delicious specialty beverages.

From lattes, Americanos and breves to smoothies, Italian sodas, and frappucinos.

Championship division at the AEC, and the winner will be named the 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion. For more information visit: www.useventing.com/competitions/goldcup

D & T BBQ: Pulled prok, tritip, cowboy fries, French fries, bag of barbecue, bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapenos, bacon-wrapped prawns, sides, and drinks.

Carl’s Hand-Dipped Corn Dogs: Everyone loves a GREAT corndog and ours are THE BEST! Homemade batter, hand-dipped and fresh out of the fryer…it simply doesn’t get any better!

2018 QUALIFIERS Richland Park Adv. & CIC3* | Aug. 24-27, 2017 | Richland, Mich. (Area VIII) Aspen Farms Advanced | Sep. 8-10, 2017 | Yelm, Wash. (Area VII)

Glacier Shave Ice: Authentic

Plantation Field Adv. & CIC3* | Sep.14-17, 2017 | Unionville, Penn (Area II)

Hawaiian-style shave ice created with Tropical Sno brand flavors. With over 23 flavors and a light, fluffy texture, it’s the perfect refreshing treat!

Woodside Intl. Adv. & CIC3* | Oct. 6-8, 2017 | Woodside, Calif (Area VI) Red Hills Advanced & CIC3* | March 8-11, 2018 | Tallahassee, Fla. (Area III) Carolina Intl. Adv. & CIC3* | March 21-25, 2018 | Raeford, N.C. (Area II) Galway Downs Adv. & CIC3* | Mar. 30 – Apr. 1, 2018 | Temecula, Calif. (Area VI) The Fork Horse Trials Adv. & CIC3* | April 4-8, 2018 | Mill Spring, N.C (Area II)

Los Dos Paelleros: Los Dos

Chattahoochee Hills Adv. & CIC3* | April 6-8, 2018 | Fairburn, Ga. (Area III)

Paelleros makes paella—a traditional rice dish, cooked by filed and farm workers in Spain. It is to die for!

Rebecca Farm CIC3* | July 18-22, 2018 | Kalispell, Mont. (Area VII) Millbrook H.T. Adv. | August 2-5, 2018 | Millbrook, N.Y. (Area I)

GOLD CUP FINAL

Mudman Food Truck: Gourmet burgers, fresh ground beef, fresh veggies, homemade buns, cheese, bacon, and secret sauce.

That is a Mudman burger.

USEA American Eventing Championships $40,000 Adequan Advanced Division | August 29 - September 2, 2018 Colorado Horse Park | Parker, Colo. (Area IX) usea/leslie mintz photo

Pure Harmony Equine Apparel:

REBECCAFARM.ORG

37

VENDORS

Mountain Berry Bowls: Moun-

Saucy Dogs: We serve lo-

tain Berry Bowls serves madeto-order acai smoothie bowls.

Gluten free, dairy free, locally sourced all natural ingredients.

cal, handcrafted sausages, bratwurst and hotdogs.

Open Road Coffee: Craft coffee and a vintage Mercedes!

Serving up small-batch Nitro Cold Brew Coffee. Experience this insatiable and refreshingly smooth creation for yourself!

Whitefish, Montana. Instagram: @OpenRoadCoffeeBus

Phlathead Phillies: Authentic Philly cheese steak sandwiches, Phish tacos, Philly gut fries (cheesesteak on fries instead of bread), and assorted beverages.

Sweet Peaks Ice Cream: Handcrafted ice cream made in the mountains in Montana. Classic and creative flavors served in cups and a variety of cones.

Sweet Pickins Kettle Corn: Original Kettle Corn made with gigantic popped corn, corn oil, pure cane sugar, and sprinkled with sea salt.

The Nut Hut: German: cinnamon roasted almonds and pecans.

STABLING SHOPPING FAIR Antares Custom Saddles: Driven by performance and the search for excellence, Antares Sellier combines knowledge and unique technology to provide both horse and rider the ultimate performance.

C4 Belts: Customizable, cut-tofit, interchangeable belts and other rider accessories.

Deborah Cerbone Associates: Deborah Cerbone Associates, Inc., Landscape Architecture and Equestrian Site Planning, designs horse farms and other equestrian facilities. Services range from site selection to design and management of construction, they make your

dreams for your ideal equestrian facility come to life.

Devoucoux Inc: Devoucoux is a top-of-the-line custommade saddle brand, boasting a long-standing reputation for manufacturing high quality innovative horse equipment for over 30 years and is now a world leader in high-end saddlery.

Gallops: Gallops saddlery provides event riders with everything they could possibly want and need. From air canisters to Amerigo saddles, Gallops brings it all to the Event at Rebecca Farm.

Add a 260 Backhoe for

$70/MONTH

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enhancement (MSPE), tailoring collaborative plans to support each rider in attaining peak performance, using mindfulness, mental focus, and visualization.

Mountain Berry Bowls: Mountain Berry Bowls serves made-toorder acai smoothie bowls.

Gluten free, dairy free, locally sourced all natural ingredients.

Orange Slow Feeder: Orange slow feeder makes and sells slow feeder nets that will fit 2 flakes of hay, all the way up to 4x4x8 square bale.

Voltaire Design USA Inc: Volatire Design seamlessly merges the long French tradition of saddle making with modern innovation.

We are Proud to support

The Event at Rebecca Farm!

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Kerrits: Once a year! Kerrits Performance Equestrian Apparel and Gallops “pop up” boutique is open to all for shopping during The Event. Samples, special sale items and all the sought-after tights and breeches. Look for the large Kerrits banners, near the new office up on stabling hill.

using sport performance

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met serves gyros, Montana cristos, shrimp, 8 gourmet dogs, super nacho, veggie pitas, salads, breakfast sandwiches, biscuits & gravy, waffles, and gluten-free options.

Lori Kimmerly Therapy and Coaching: Coaching eventers

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

Gift Registries Amtrak Cruise Specialists Airline Tickets Tours Group Travel 500 South Main Kalispell, MT 59901 406.752.8700 www.flatheadtravel.com REBECCAFARM.ORG

39

CROSS COUNTRY

The ultimate test of stamina, bravery, and partnership between horse and rider, the cross-country phase is exciting for competitors and spectators.

A SPECTATOR’S GUIDE TO

EVENTING HORSE-AND-RIDER COMBOS COMPLETE THE ULTIMATE TEST

BY STACEY NEDROW-WIGMORE

E

venting, considered the triathlon of equestrian competition, proves the athleticism and partnership of horses and riders. Competitors must complete three distinct phases, with scores in each phase combining for the final placings.

Whether you seek the harmony and grace of dressage, the stamina and bravery of cross-country, or the precision and agility of stadium jumping, the sport has something for every spectator to enjoy.

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

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A SPECTATOR’S GUIDE TO EVENTING

DRESSAGE

A FEW FACTS ABOUT EVENTING: Riders compete the same horse throughout the event. It’s also one of the few sports where men and women compete against each other.

And as far as age—well, most riders get better as they get older, so it’s not unusual to see high-level competitors in their 50s.

A great dressage ride is characterized by grace, fluidity, and softness.

LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOU WILL SEE THROUGHOUT THE EVENT AT REBECCA FARM. THE THREE PHASES

Dressage. This French word actually means “training.” As the first of three tests, dressage is meant to show that the horse can be obedient and the horseand-rider pair harmonious. It is ridden in an arena with low sides and letters around the perimeter.

Competitors perform the test from memory (different levels have different tests), executing certain movements at the different letters indicated. It’s a bit like the compulsory figures in figure skating.

A great dressage test should be graceful and quiet—in other words, the horse should look as though he is performing without input from the rider. The judge or judging panel looks for obedience, lightness, and “acceptance of the bridle,” which means that the horse is steady in his head and body carriage and connected to the rider through the seat, legs, and reins. A fussy horse, or one that spooks, speeds up, or otherwise looks unhappy will get a lower score on the movements.

Cross Country. This second phase is the most exciting and demanding of the three phases, and the one many spectators enjoy the most. Horses emerge

42

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

from the start box and gallop across over undulating terrain, with over 24 to 36 solid obstacles, within the time allowed—again, this is specified by level. This is the ultimate test of the horse’s fitness, stamina, and bravery. The rider’s knowledge of pace and of his or her horse’s specific strengths and weaknesses also factor in.

Cross-country obstacles include wide tables, water jumps, ditches, up- and down-banks, and many more (see related story on page 50). The natural terrain also plays a role, and a cross-country course designer takes the hills and valleys of the course into consideration when placing jumps. The obstacles are flagged—white on the left and red on the right.

Horse and rider must jump between the flags, though knocking down a flag does not incur any penalties as long as the horse’s shoulder is inside the flags.

Stadium. Also referred to as show jumping, this phase features 12 to 15 obstacles in an arena. Unlike the fences in the cross-country phase, stadium jumps are constructed from rails that come down when hit. As in the cross-country phase, the jumps are flagged, and each jump is numbered in the order

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A SPECTATOR’S GUIDE TO EVENTING

STADIUM

The third phase, stadium jumping, tests agility and precision, as well as fitness. it’s to be jumped.

Riders must start after the judge blows the whistle (or rings a bell), and time starts once the horse goes through the timers. The aim of the stadium phase is to leave all of the jump rails up while completing the course within the time limit. Horses must be both precise and agile, which may be particularly difficult after the rigors of completing the cross-country the previous day.

At the end of the three phases, the penalties are calculated, and the rider with lowest score—lowest number of penalties—is declared the winner of their division.

A CONCISE HISTORY

Originally called “military” (militaire, as it was called in French), eventing has its roots in training for the battlefield. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI), which governs the discipline at its highest levels, states that “eventing originated as a military competition that tested officers and horses in challenges that could occur on- or off-duty. It also provided a basis to compare training standards between the cavalries of different countries.”

Eventing first appeared as an Olympic event in 1912 in Stockholm, Sweden, and was considered the complete test of a young army officer’s charge.

Horses and riders completed five tests that included endurance (roads and tracks), cross-country, speed (steeplechase), jumping, and dressage. The endurance and cross-country phases took place over approximately 34 miles and had a total time limit

of four hours! The steeplechase included 10 obstacles over a two-mile course. The jumping portion required 15 obstacles that measured more than four feet high with a maximum spread of nearly 10 feet.

Riders competed for both team and individual medals and only commissioned officers could compete until after World War II. With various changes in format, eventing has been included in nearly all Olympic Games since then, save during the World Wars. As mounted troops gave way to tanks during World War II, Olympic eventing also saw a change in its team compositions.

The 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, brought the first civilian competitors. The first female Olympic eventer competed in 1964.

The sport remained fairly unchanged until 2004, when a new format was introduced. Sometimes called the “short format,” this new system removed the endurance and speed phases, leaving only dressage, cross-country, and stadium. The change was a compromise that made the sport more “television-friendly” and took up less land and resources—a necessity to keep the sport in the Olympic line-up.

THE SPORT TODAY

The Event at Rebecca Farm offers competitors and spectators alike the opportunity to see both the “classic” eventing format, which includes roads and tracks and steeplechase, in addition to cross-country on “endurance day” and the modern short format that is part of the FEI competition landscape.

SCORING DRESSAGE: Each dressage test movement receives a score on a scale from 0, meaning “not performed,” to 10, meaning “excellent.” The total score is then converted into “penalties.”

So, the higher the score, the lower the penalties assigned.

These penalties carry forward

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

through the other phases, which is why the dressage phase is so important to the end result.

CROSS-COUNTRY: Penalties are incurred when a horse stops in front of a jump, runs beyond it without jumping,

or jumps outside of the flags.

Time penalties are added for going over the time allowed or even coming in too fast. The term “double clear” means that the horse incurred no jumping or time penalties. Any penalties are added to those from the dressage. Multiple refusals or

the fall of horse or rider are grounds for elimination.

STADIUM: Refusals, knockdowns, and exceeding the time allowed incur penalties, which are added to those from dressage and cross-country.

SPECTATOR SAFETY & COMFORT Eventing is a fun sport for competitors and spectators alike!

Particularly on cross-country day, we encourage you to go out on the course to watch. Feel free to move around the grounds throughout the day to see all the obstacles being negotiated. Because of the nature of the event, there are a few considerations to keep in mind for everyone’s safety: • Enjoy walking the course but keep a “heads up” attitude.

• Horses always have the right of way.

• Stay behind any marked barriers or ropes, and cross only where allowed.

• Look both ways and listen for warning whistles before crossing the course.

• Be aware of galloping or loose horses.

• Stay out of pathways and away from obstacles.

• Remember that courses change throughout the day without much warning, so what was safe one minute can be dangerous the next.

• Supervise children at all times, and keep pets on a short leash.

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A SPECTATOR’S GUIDE TO EVENTING

HEIGHTS AND DISTANCES OF THE TWO JUMPING PHASES

NOVICE

TRAINING

PRELIMINARY + CCI*

INTERMEDIATE + CCI**

ADVANCED + CIC***, CCI***

Cross-Country Maximum Distance (meters)

2,200

2,600

3,120

3,575

3,990 Advanced/ CIC*** 6,270 CCI***

Cross-Country Speed (meters per minute)

350–400

420–470

520

550

570

Cross-Country Maximum Jumping Efforts

20

24

30

34

40 Advanced/CIC*** 35 CCI***

2’11”

3’3”

3’7”

3’9”

3’11”

3’3”/4’11”

3’11”/5’11”

4’7”/6’11”

5’3”/7’11”

5’11”/8’10”

Cross-Country Maximum Jump Drops

3’11”

4’7”

5’3”

5’11”

6’7”

# Stadium Jumping Efforts

9–11

10–12

11–13

12–14

13–15

Stadium Maximum Height

2’11”

3’3”

3’7”

3’11”

4’3”

Stadium Maximum Spread

3’7”

3’11”

4’3”

4’7”

4’9”

Cross-Country Maximum Jump Heights Cross-Country Maximum Jump Spread (top/base)

Over the five days of competition, there are divisions that range from in-hand classes for young horses who will hopefully go on to successful eventing careers, all the way up to the CCI*** (Concours Complet International three star), which showcases some of the most talented horses and riders competing at the top of the sport internationally.

See the chart above for what you can expect at each level.

CLASSIC COMPETITION

The Event at Rebecca Farm is one of only a handful of competitions to host a “classic” event. Sometimes called a “three day” or “long format,” it includes dressage on day one, endurance on day two, and stadium on day three. Endurance has four phases: A and C is roads and tracks, B is steeplechase, and D is cross-country obstacles. Rebecca Farm offers the three-day at the novice and training levels.

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

The classic event is the ultimate test of horseand-rider fitness. During phases A and C (roads and tracks), riders trot through marked gates over several kilometers, warming up their horses and pacing them to meet an optimum time. After phase A, riders continue to phase B, the steeplechase.

This is made up of several brush fences set on an oval track. These are taken at speed, and horses are encouraged to jump through the brush rather than over it. After steeplechase, the riders bring the horses back to the trot for phase C, which is like phase A, only longer and slower and meant to help cool down the horse.

After phase C, the rider brings the horse to the “10-minute box” for veterinary inspection and cooling out before moving on to cross-country. After the rider dismounts, the vet will check the horse’s temperature; pulse; and respiration, which is when proper conditioning, preparation, and a good team

on the ground are proven.

Provided the horse has recovered sufficiently, the rider will get back on and continue to phase D, the cross country.

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

In prior years, The Event at Rebecca Farm has offered divisions for up-and-coming event horses. Sanctioned by the US Eventing Association (USEA), the program aims to “educate American event horse breeders on the type (conformation, build, movement, and athletic abilities) needed for a young horse to be developed into a successful upper-level event.”

In general, the Young Event Horse classes offer a low-stress opportunity for four- and five-year-old horses to transition from schooling to competition. Each horse is judged in three areas: conformation, dressage, and jumping. Stadium and cross-country jumps for the four-year-olds are inviting—a maximum height of 2’11”.

Cross-country includes logs, ditches, and simple water crossings. The five-year-olds jump a maximum of 3’6”.

The Future Event Horse competition showcases yearlings, two-year-olds and three-year-olds who are shown in-hand. The show area is triangular and marked using flower boxes or other solid objects. First, the horse is shown standing so that the judge can evaluate its structure and legs. The horse is walked around the triangle, and then trotted, with the judge watching the horse move from three viewpoints: from behind, from the side, and from the front.

SOUNDNESS The horse’s physical conditioning and soundness is a critical part of eventing competition. The day prior to dressage, a ground jury and the show veterinarian inspect all horses competing at the FEI (international) levels. As the riders jog them in-hand on a firm surface, the judges watch for any signs of lameness. “The jog” is open to spectators, and horses and riders are turned out to the nines with horses braided and coats polished.

A second jog takes place the morning prior to the stadium phase and follows the same format. This jog is perhaps more critical because it comes after the rigors of cross-country day. It showcases horses’ fitness, as well as the horsemanship skills of riders and grooms who spend hours the night before icing legs and providing drug-free treatments to help the horse feel good and pain-free in the final phase.

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Opposite, the famous Ogopogo is a crowd (but not necessarily a competitor) favorite; he is Canada’s answer to the Loch Ness Monster. Right, ducks in the water. Next page, the rattlesnake even has a rattle.

A UNIQUE ANIMAL

BY LESLIE WYLIE

THE CROSS-COUNTRY COURSE ASKS TECHNICAL QUESTIONS WITH A FUN TWIST.

50

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

T

HE ALLURE OF REBECCA FARM’S CROSS-COUNTRY COURSE IS ONE-OF-A-KIND. Bounding out of the start box onto the green, velvet-like turf beneath a sapphire Montana sky that seems impossibly—as advertised—big, competitors have the sense that they not just tackling a series of obstacles, but embarking upon an epic adventure.

The “Disney World of cross-country courses,” as it has been called, is an uncensored romp through the imaginations of designer Ian Stark and builder Bert Wood.

Some of the jumps draw inspiration from the natural flora and fauna of the area— moose, fish, and waterfowl carved from wood, or tables inspired by the snowcapped lavender mountains of Glacier National Park that are visible in the distance.

“I love coming to Montana,” says Stark, a Scotland native and legend in the

sport. In the ’80s and ’90s, he collected four Olympic silver medals and led his home country to multiple World and European championships, then served as a team selector and coach before turning his attention to course design in 2005.

Originally brought to life by experienced four-star designer Captain Mark Phillips, Rebecca Farm’s course was turned over to Stark in 2012 by organizers who wanted to reinvigorate it with a fresh perspective. Being part of the Rebecca Farm team is a pleasure, Stark says.

“What wouldn’t you love about this?

The sunshine, perfect temperature... it’s not quite like Scotland, is it? Apart from the weather and beauty, it’s a fantastic event—it’s got a little bit of everything.”

Not unlike the course itself. Its technical aspects run the gamut, asking a variety of challenging questions to be answered by the horse/rider combina-

tions; but there is a sort of playfulness at work here, as well. The “Western Village” jump complex pays homage to frontier life, replete with miniature church, saloon, jail, and Pony Express station, all so authentically detailed that you can’t resist peering inside their rustic windows. Elsewhere on course are teepees big enough for a family to camp in and the dinosaur-themed “Jurassic Park” jump complex.

A perennial favorite is the Louisiana-themed water complex, a nod to the late Rebecca and Jerome Broussard’s home in the Deep South before they relocated to Montana in the mid-’80s. Included is an assortment of carved creatures, ranging from the benign (crawfish and beavers) to the deadly (water moccasins; alligators; and Canada’s own Loch Ness monster, Ogopogo).

Wood’s creativity and craftsmanship

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JUMPS

COMMON CROSSCOUNTRY 1

COOP: This is a triangle-

shaped jump with a wider bottom and a pointed top.

It comes in a variety of widths and heights.

2

CORNER: This triangular-

shaped jump tests the horse’s straightness. Corners can have an angle up to 90 degrees. One side is wide, and the other comes to a point.

The horse jumps toward the narrowest side, perpendicular to a bisecting line.

ROLLTOP: This jump has a half-rounded barrel appearance on top. It is fairly easy for horses to negotiate because it mimics the shape of the horse’s jump.

3

are on display throughout the course. Both Stark and Rebecca Farm allow the builder plenty of loose rein: “Ian is pretty creative on his own,” Wood says. “A lot of the time he says, ‘I want a shape here,’ and instead of a boring log, you throw a gator on top or a snake or make it a crawdad or a chicken.”

Rebecca Farm’s readiness to go above and beyond isn’t lost on competitors, who flock to Kalispell each July from around the country. Tamie Smith of Temecula, California, drove a solid 24 hours with multiple horses and riders in tow to contest last year’s event. The trip proved fruitful, as she and Fleeceworks Royal enjoyed a wire-to-wire win in the 2017 Adequan USEA CIC3* Gold Cup—but she says the overall experience was what made it worthwhile. For instance, she recalls, last year’s event was preceded by a drought, and some competitors were concerned that the course footing would be hard.

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

“I knew that they would do anything and everything they could do to make it better, and when I went out of the box on Saturday, it was like some angel came out here and watered all night,” Smith says.

“I don’t think a lot of people realize just how important footing is to us, and I can’t thank them enough for the effort they put in. My hat goes off to everybody who made that possible.”

Massive community involvement gives cross-country day an electric atmosphere— the hillsides are dotted with onlookers sprawled out on blankets, picnicking in the sun beneath crayon-hued skies and cotton candy clouds. They grow silent each time a horse and rider comes into view, then erupt into cheers once the pair is safely over and kicking on to the next.

“The viewing is spectacular,” Stark says. “Everyone watching can see nearly all the track from the top of the hill, but

there’s nothing quite like getting the horses close to the spectators so that they can see these incredible animals galloping and jumping right in front of them.”

Stark’s courses invite a bold, attacking ride, and he aims to provide a confidence-building and educational experience for both horses and riders. This year’s edition is sure to once again treat spectators to a show of incredible athleticism, dramatic displays of heart, and positive thrill-to-spill ratio. From start to finish, you won’t find a more breathtaking course anywhere in the world.

“The effort that Rebecca Farm puts in to go above and beyond for riders, spectators, and owners is really special,” says 2017 CCI3* winner Erin Sylvester of Cochranville, Pennsylvania. “Every event has its ‘thing’ they drive home, but Rebecca tries to nail it all home and make it an amazing experience.”

4

TRAKEHNER: This is a rail

over a ditch. It is a test of the horse’s bravery.

5

BANK: These are steps

jumped up or down from one level to another. They test a horse’s balance.

DROP: This jump requires the horse to jump over a log fence and land at a lower level from takeoff. It is closely related to the bank and is a test of bravery, balance, and control.

6

13

COFFIN

7

BRUSH: This has a solid

base with natural or synthetic brush placed on top. The horse should ideally jump through the brush rather than over.

8

DITCH: The horse jumps

across a ditch. It may be used alone or in conjunction with other types of jumps. The contrast of the dark space can give some horses pause.

9

LOG: This is the most

common type of crosscountry jump. It’s used in the construction of verticals, oxers, log piles and triple bars.

TABLE: Like its namesake, this jump has a flat top and both height and width. The horse should jump across it, and it is taken at speed. It can get very wide. “Chairs” and “benches” are variations of tables.

10

WATER: A small natural or man-made pond that has a simple entry/exit for lower-level horses to splash through, and drops, banks or jumps inside the water for upper-level horses to negotiate. Riding into, through and out of water requires energy 11

DROP/ WATER 11

for both horse and rider, given the drag the water places on the horse’s movement.

There is also some color contrast at play.

12

SUNKEN ROAD: This is a

technical combination jump that is made up of banks and rails. At the lower levels, this will generally consist of a bank down, then a few strides to an up-bank. At upper levels, this is more complicated with a series of three or more types of jumps.

13 COFFIN: This is a combination jump that includes a rail, ditch and rail. This combination tests the rider’s ability to organize and control his speed.

ARROWHEAD OR CHEVRON: This narrow fence 14

is shaped like a triangle that is wide at the top and comes to a point at the takeoff. The point is wider at lower levels.

It’s harder for the horse to judge the takeoff point than with other jump styles.

15 COMBINATION: Two jumps (or three) labeled “A and B.” They count as a single jump on the scorecard.

FROM THE HORSE’S VIEWPOINT: Sometimes the placement of a jump can have an impact on the difficulty of an obstacle. For example: • A jump with an uphill approach is easier as long as there is the opportunity to increase speed up the hill.

• A downhill approach is more difficult because the horse and rider must maintain balance.

• Approaching a jump from a turn is easier because the turn helps with the balance.

• Jumping from light into dark is difficult because it takes time for the horse to establish where he might be landing.

• Jumping into daylight is much easier because the horse can see where he is going.

• Straight-line combinations are easier for the horse, as it has the most time to understand what it is being asked to do.

• A bending line combination can be more difficult, as the rider has to make a decision about how many strides he will fit between the jumps.

• Narrow jumps and corners are tricky because a horse, who has almost 350 degree vision (thanks to eyes on the side of his head) has a blind spot right in front of his head. The horse sees a narrow jump from one eye and a wide-open space with the other.

• Humans see in color, but horses see in contrast. A dark-colored rail in shadow is very difficult.

• Jumps at the end of a course can be more challenging because both horse and rider can become physically and psychologically fatigued.

—Adapted from FEI Course Design Guidelines

3

ROLLTOP

2

CORNER

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56

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

HILE TRAINING, ATHLETICISM, AND HEART ARE THE ESSENTIALS OF A SUCCESSFUL EVENTING HORSE, LOOKING GOOD MATTERS TOO. Just think about it. Have you ever seen an upper-level eventer without a quality turnout? The stunning appearance of eventers in all elements of competition— particularly dressage—can be attributed to the grooms, who spend hours bathing, brushing, braiding, and pampering the horses in their care.

How do these grooms make the horses look so good? What are the secrets of keeping an eventer in top appearance?

Professional groom Cat Hill of WorldClass Grooming LLC in Corning, NY, and co-author of the book World Class Grooming for Horses, says that the biggest challenge in keeping a horse looking professionally groomed is making sure you are addressing the core nutrition and health of your horse. “Many people focus on the superficial rather than addressing the root cause of a rough-looking horse,” she notes. “A horse that is fit and has proper nutrition will be easy to groom.”

Hill pointed out that ulcers, tooth issues, stress, competition for resources, or even not liking the food being offered can all result in a horse that doesn’t look good. “It’s certainly more of a challenge, but without sorting that out, the best routine in the world won’t give the results you are looking for,” she says.

Assuming your horse is happy, healthy, and well-fed, the next step to a good appearance is daily grooming.

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57

Braiding is a lot easier with a tidy mane and well trimmed bridle path.

FINISHING TOUCHES

FOUR TOP TIPS PROFESSIONAL GROOMS MAX CORCORAN AND CAT HILL HAVE A FEW TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR EVENTER LOOKING GOOD: 1. GROOM YOUR HORSE EVERY DAY. “Daily grooming is essential, and along with good nutrition, should keep your horse looking tip-top all the time and ready for the show ring,” says Corcoran.

2. WASH BRUSHES ONCE A WEEK. “Chuck them in the washing machine on gentle cycle. You can’t clean a horse with dirty brushes!” says Corcoran.

3. CLEAN YOUR HORSE’S FACE. “The face is the first thing people see.

Make sure you remember to curry, towel, and rub the face so they don’t have missing patches of hair or oily build-ups where they sweat,” says Hill.

4. BRUSH THE MANE AFTER DRESSAGE. “Do not do dressage, remove your braids, and then run show jumping and cross-country with a kinky mane.

Spray or sponge the mane, and then comb it down with a small-toothed comb,” advises Hill.

58

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

Cat Hill (left) has worked for top competitors in dressage, show jumping, and eventing, and is author the book, World Class Grooming for Horses.

Max Corcoran (above) was part of the O’Connor event team and has groomed at the Olympics, the World Equestrian Games, and many other prestigious events.

“Curry all the time—every single time you touch your horse,” advises Hill.

“Don’t have a ton of time? Curry the horse instead of flicking the top layer of dirt off. It is the one thing every top groom I’ve met agrees on.”

BATHING

Although bathing may seem like an essential element in keeping a horse looking good, too many baths can cause problems. “Bathing too often can strip the natural oils the horses have to protect themselves from fungus and anything that could give them hives or a rash,” says professional groom Max Corcoran of Max Corcoran Horse Care in Ocala, Florida. “But when there is dirt and sweat on the horse’s coat, occasional bathing is important. A simple hosing off is the way to go on a daily basis.”

Corcoran adds that it’s important to not spray a horse in the face with a hose during bath time. “Some horses don’t

mind it, but most hate it,” she says. “It makes them head shy and angry. Get a sponge or a small towel, wet it, and wash the face.”

For Hill, bathing is infrequent because of the cold weather where she lives. “I live in the North, and we can’t bathe for a good portion of the year,” she says. Instead, Hill curries a lot and rolls tails up out of the mud. “But for show turnout, you must be able to wash at least tails and legs,” she says. “If you have a gray or a pinto, washing is super important to help prevent staining.”

Hill suggests using the warmest water the horse will tolerate when shampooing, and using HandsOn gloves or a curry mitt while the horse is soapy; then rinse with cool water to get a good shine. “The most important and most neglected part of bathing is the rinse,” she says. “The water needs to run clear, and you need to rinse every bubble of soap out to truly have a clean horse.”

Keeping a horse clean isn’t all there is to good grooming. Tending to manes and tails, white markings, and the face all add up to a great appearance. “I treat manes and tails differently,” says Hill. “I keep manes pulled. It’s a simple case of keeping the root scrubbed clean—a stiff mud brush helps to reach the crest—and combing it over daily.”

Corcoran says she treats manes and tails like we treat our own hair. “I like to shampoo and condition manes and tails a few times a week,” she says. “But if you need to braid soon, skip washing the mane—it makes it quite slippery!”

She adds that she uses a silicone detangler in the tail to help keep it from getting caught on water buckets, fencing, blanket leg straps, etc. According to Hill, a tail needs to be a little bit neglected to be healthy. “Don’t brush it,” she says.

“Comb out debris with your fingers, instead. When you need to have it look just right, use a big, wide-tooth comb to pick through it. Use a good conditioner whenever you wash it, and only use a silicone detangling spray at the competition.”

White markings can be a challenge, even for professional grooms. Corcoran keeps the socks on her horses’ legs clipped to make them easier to clean.

“Clipping the socks makes it easier to keep them whiter,” she says. “Using whitening shampoo on the day of the show will really brighten them. And when all else fails, baby powder on the socks works great, too.” Hill advises using a conditioner on white markings after washing them because whitening

shampoos can dry the coat. “The white markings need a little dose of conditioner after a wash,” she says. “A dry haircoat has rough cuticles and will absorb stains more than a soft, oily coat. I really like a natural oil conditioner like Equinature’s No Shock Anti-Static Grooming Spray to keep them bright.”

When it comes to little touches that can make a horse look good, Hill says to always trim under the chin. “This area is often neglected, and trimming there can make a horse look more refined,” she said. “Also, pay attention to areas that catch the light, like knees, hocks, hips, and manes and tails. A little shine there goes a long way to making a horse look tidy.” Corcoran has several suggestions for finishing touches: “I like to use a little baby oil—or baby oil gel, which is easier to work with—on their noses and eyes,”

she says. “I also keep their ears trimmed; not bald, but I tidy up all the ‘old man hairs’ that may be sticking out. I also trim up the bridle path, making it only as wide as the bridle. I also make sure the tail is banged and the mane is pulled and/or braided.”

Hill adds that while it can be time-consuming to keep a horse looking like he’s ready for the show ring, just a little daily effort can make a big difference. “Many of us are juggling families, lives, and jobs, as well as riding,” she says. “Pull a small section of mane daily. Wipe your tack down with a damp towel, and dip the bit in a bucket of water as soon as you take it out of the horse’s mouth. Doing one minute of an extra task daily prevents the monster clean-up days we often don’t have time to fit into our schedules.”

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MORE THAN HORSES The Event at Rebecca Farm is a community gathering.

H Shopping, picnicking, horses: It’s all at The Event at Rebecca Farm.

60

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

OSTING THE EVENT AT REBECCA FARM is like throwing a giant party for a few thousand of your closest friends, about 600 of whom show up with their horses. It’s that sense of community, as well as supporting the Flathead Valley and the sport of eventing, that inspires the team at Rebecca Farm.

As one of the largest horse trials in North America, The Event at Rebecca Farm brings competitors from all over the continent to the small town of Kalispell in northern Montana. Founder Rebecca Broussard, who died in 2010 after a battle with cancer, would have

been proud: the eventing visionary was particularly committed to bringing international competition to the town she loved. Now The Event hosts top riders, and in 2017 a competitor from the United Kingdom made the journey for the first time. The nation’s best young eventers, too, come to Kalispell, as The Event is home to the North American Youth Championships through 2019.

Along the way, The Event at Rebecca Farm has become an economic boon to the county and a must-attend summer event. More than 650 competitors and approximately 10,000 spectators come each July. For some spectators, like Mary Williams of Flagstaff, Arizona, it’s an annual ritual. For three years in a row, she has made the 1,100-mile drive to reconnect with friends and watch The Event.

Williams spends four to five nights in the Flathead Valley, visits local bars and restaurants, rafts from the Glacier into town, goes mountain biking, and picks huckleberries. “It’s a great reason to get together with friends, because there is so much more to do in addition to the horse show,” she says.

Her experience is typical of the average spectator, according to a study by the University of Montana Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, conducted in 2016. The average respondent was 52 years old and traveled with at least two other people, none of whom were from Flathead County. They spent an average of 5.29 nights away from home.

Forty percent spent money on accommodations, and 69 percent purchased meals and drinks in restaurants and bars.

Overall, The Event brings in around $5.5 million in economic impact—and it continues to grow.

The number of out-of-state visitors is not entirely surprising, according to organizer Sarah Broussard. “The Flathead Valley is so wonderful and beautiful,” she says, noting that many people come for several days to enjoy a

vacation. “Those that come to The Event love to partake in all the Valley has to offer, whether that is ziplining, whitewater rafting, or going to Glacier National Park. There is so much this area offers to not just The Event competitors, but also to their family and friends.”

Those people camping at the farm over that weekend in July are the result of a concerted effort by the Broussard family to support community—whether that is the boost for the local economy, the recipients of Halt Cancer at X funds, or those competitors that benefit from travel grants (last year’s Event winner, Erin Sylvester, was also a travel grant winner). And unlike other competitions of its kind that attract mostly horse sport enthusiasts, The Event at Rebecca Farm team concentrates on making the weekend a town festival, where there is something for everyone—the horsey and the non-horsey alike. The Shopping Fair offers around 90 vendors for shopping, food trucks, craft beer, and plenty of places to picnic, while Pony Up offers a hands-on horse experience for the littlest members of the family. And of course, The Event at Rebecca Farm aims to raise money for Montana Equestrian Events’ charity, Halt Cancer at X. Even after the competitors head home, the farm is rarely quiet: From hosting lawn concerts for the Glacier Chorale and Symphony to hosting clinics with renowned trainers, Rebecca Farm maintains a strong connection to its values—community, education, and charity. “It has been my family’s hope, since The Event’s inception, that Rebecca Farm be a place of livelihood, education, and community for all, no matter one’s age,” says Sarah.

“Fortunately for us, that hope has become a reality. We remain humbled by the power of our community after all these years; it’s the same community that helped raise more than $500,000 for Halt Cancer at X and created a boom for the local economy here in the Flathead Valley.”

WHERE DO REBECCA FARM VISITORS COME FROM? 37%

FLATHEAD COUNTY

17%

OTHER MT COUNTY

FROM WHERE?

46%

OUT OF STATE

Visitors to The Event at Rebecca Farm came from more than 24 states and three Canadian provinces. The most out-of-state visitors came from:

CALIFORNIA WASHINGTON IDAHO ALBERTA, CANADA

WHO ARE THEY?

61% 5.29

have attended other eventing competitions

average number of nights spent in the Flathead Valley

40%

spent money on lodging

83% female

69%

spent money at a restaurant or bar

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Conditions were perfect for skijoring at Rebecca Farm.

PONIES, SHOPPING, AND FUN AT THE EVENT AT REBECCA FARM IN THE KIDS ZONE: Face-painting; craft activities; and, for the second year, the popular Pony Up. Free and open to the public, these one-hour interactive sessions teach a part of Horsemanship 101, such as how to approach a horse and mount/dismount; a demonstration of grooming tools and how to use each one; types of horses, including common colors and markings; and how to saddle.

PONY UP CLASSES will be held Friday, July 20–Sunday, July 22. Kids who attend a class each day will receive a special, horse-centric packet and Horsemanship 101 certificate. Classes will be held on Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m, 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.; Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

SHOPPING FAIR: Vendors selling clothes, jewelry, horse items, antiques.

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

COME HEAVY SNOW OR DETOURS, WE’LL BE THERE Skijoring at Rebecca Farm camaraderie overcomes a fierce winter storm and warms hearts over a holiday weekend.

T

HROUGHOUT DECEMBER, Sarah Broussard of Montana Equestrian Events looked out her window and prayed for snow. Broussard and the team were looking forward to hosting Skijoring at Rebecca Farm, a new event.

When snow started to fall shortly before Christmas, Broussard drew a celebratory breath of relief and her team set to work prepping the facility. But Broussard’s relief turned to concern when record snowfall and low temperatures were predicted for skijoring weekend.

“After a dry December, the irony that there could, in fact, be too much snow or temperatures too cold for the horses?

Well, that was a heavy weight. We wanted to have a great event, but safety is the top priority. We were fighting for a way to have both,” Broussard recalls.

As the predicted winter storm barreled down on the Flathead Valley, Brous-

sard’s team soldiered on; through the frigid post-Christmas week, they were determined to make the inaugural run of Skijoring at Rebecca Farm a reality.

Simultaneously, Skijoring America board member and open division competitor Richard Weber and his longtime teammate and travel partner, Tyler Smedsrud, were loading up five horses. The pair was preparing to make the 18-hour, 1,200-mile trek from their home base in Ridgway, Colorado, to Rebecca Farm, where they would lead preparations for the course. Weber and Smedsrud are some of the sport’s most visible and committed competitors; in addition to contending in the top division, the duo volunteers most winter weekends building courses for events sanctioned by Skijoring America.

“After six years of skijoring locally, I decided to get serious. For three years, I’ve been on the circuit. I put 15,000 miles

on my vehicle last season—it was worth it. Those people out there on the skijoring road, they’re family. I’ve also learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t, and I want to help others,” Weber says.

Broussard, Weber, Smedsrud, and the scores of other hardy event volunteers would need all of that determination and more to face down the challenges headed their way: The evening of Friday, December 29, 2017—just one day prior to opening ceremonies—snow and high winds belted the Flathead Valley.

As highway crews struggled to keep major roadways open, the newly created skijoring course, parking area, and roadways at Rebecca Farm were buried in layers and drifts of snow. Skijoring crews fired up equipment and started working in the early hours of Saturday to make way for the event. “For me, Saturday was very challenging, but there was a real sense of camaraderie with

the crew. We had 10 rigs out moving snow,” says Broussard. “Earlier, on Thursday and Friday, we needed water to reinforce the jumps, and our West Valley volunteer firefighters brought the fire trucks over and jumped in to help.

It was crazy, but that whole weekend really had a community feel to it. People helped out any way they could.”

In the end, the snow was cleared, and happy spectators would say the event itself was a small miracle. Considering the can-do attitude of the participants and crew, though, the success of Skijoring at Rebecca Farm might well have been predictable. “I love to see the sport growing with people just as stubborn as I am, that don’t let obstacles get in their way,” Weber laughs. “Come hell, heavy snow, or a four hundred-mile detour, we’re getting there.”

Horse trailers began to roll into Rebecca Farm early Saturday morning.

Approximately 80 teams ponied up and thousands of spectators braved the cold to partake in the fun. “When it comes to these kinds of events, I always say that ‘it takes a valley.’ Skijoring at Rebecca is certainly no exception,” emphasizes Broussard. “The community, the sponsors, the local volunteers, the folks from Skijoring America—they were all incredible. They pulled together and made this event—which felt impossible at moments—possible.”

Weber couldn’t agree more: “I’ve been to a lot of great events, but Rebecca Farm had an amazing group of volunteers, maybe the best I’ve ever seen.”

While held the last weekend of 2017, Skijoring at Rebecca Farm in fact served as the opening event for Skijoring America’s 2018 season.

For more information on Skijoring at Rebecca Farm, please visit rebeccafarm. org/other-events.

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Trina Freese, with her sister Tami Olson. Tami elected to have preventive surgery. Right, Sarah Broussard (center) with Dr. Melissa Hulvat (left) and Dr. Amanda Beers of Save a Sister.

REAL LIFE STORIES HALT CANCER AT X HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON A PAIR OF SISTERS.

BY ALISSA KINNEY MOE

W

HEN TRINA FREESE OF GREAT FALLS, MT, thinks back on the day she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she remembers: “I had already found lumps and had tested positive [for the BRCA gene]; I was just like, ‘Yep, I have cancer.’ My grandma had cancer. Two of my cousins died of cancer [in their 30s].

My whole body told me it was cancer, and I knew my world was about to change.

I always like to be in control

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of my life—and I didn’t have control anymore.”

A few weeks prior, Trina, who was 32 at the time, had gone to the Bass Breast Center in Kalispell to get screened for the BRCA gene after another close cousin called her to say that she was positive, and that Trina and her sister, Tami Olson, who lives in Kalispell, should find out whether they were, too.

For Trina, the prospect was daunting—she was recently married, with two young

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

children, and the family was about to leave for a once-ina-lifetime vacation that she’d been planning for the better part of a year. So when she was told that she did have the BRCA gene after the family returned from their trip, she was overwhelmed: “I didn’t even want to deal with it; it was too scary for me.” Within months of her diagnosis, Trina had a mastectomy and began radiation and chemotherapy, which ended in March 2016. When she found

another lump under her arm in the fall of 2016, she was referred to Seattle, where she began another painful regimen of chemo and radiation.

Meanwhile, Tami found out she had tested positive for the BRCA gene, as well. With the mutation, her chance of developing ovarian and breast cancer was estimated at 95%, while the average woman has a 5% chance of developing these cancers. Getting this information and watching her sister go through so much

stress and pain convinced Tami that she wanted to be proactive about her fight. She quickly elected to undergo preventative surgeries that would slash her risk, scheduling a hysterectomy and double mastectomy.

Trina has now been cancer-free for over a year, and says that she feels more and more of her energy returning each day. Though Tami still experiences pain from her surgeries, she is confident in her decision to take drastic measures in order to save her family from future heartache.

For both sisters, the most important message they want to convey is to know your risk— if you have a history of cancer in your family, get tested for the BRCA gene as soon as possible so you can make the best decisions for your health and the future of your loved ones. “When you’re a mom, you not only have to worry about yourself—you have to worry about your kids, too,” says Tami. “Grab someone you feel comfortable with and go to get screened,” urges Trina. “The sooner you find out you have a mutation, the sooner you can get treated.

We want to help women who are struggling with this…

Once the cancer is there, it’s tough to fight it and stay ahead of it. The easiest way out is to face it head-on and prevent it. Reach out to other survivors.”

FUNDRAISING FOR PREVENTION HALT CANCER AT X IS NOW IN ITS SIXTH YEAR of fundraising on behalf of national breast cancer research and local support services for cancer patients and their families in the Flathead Valley, and has raised $500,000; $182,000 of this has been awarded locally. For Halt Cancer founder Sarah Broussard, who lost her mother Rebecca to breast cancer in 2010, the mission is just as important as ever: “Unfortunately, everybody knows somebody who has been impacted by cancer, whether that is directly or indirectly,” she says. “Because of that, we want to help any way we can. The way I see it, Halt Cancer at X is one vessel; it’s the life-changing work of these organizations and the community that is the bigger ship. It is exciting to see that the money from these grants is going to make a difference.”

Stories like those of Trina and Tami highlight the need not only for more research, but also to

support doctors and clinics who provide education and early screenings to women who are especially at-risk, allowing them to possibly get ahead of a devastating cancer diagnosis.

Trina says that having doctors who genuinely care and are ready to fight alongside you is a huge comfort—but that the fight still comes with a staggering price tag. “Fighting for your life is expensive,” she says. With the funds donated to local groups by Halt Cancer, that fight is more manageable. This year, the group gave away roughly $51,000 to four Flathead Valley support organizations: Cancer Support Community of Kalispell; Flathead Cancer Aid Services; Save a Sister (which promotes the screenings, education, and awareness that Trina and Tami advocate); and Casting for Recovery.

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Award-Winning

EXCLUSIVE & CUSTOM HOME BUILDER

REBECCA FARM SPECIAL PERSON

ALISON HEPPNER

F

OR MANY INVOLVED

with The Event at Rebecca Farm, it’s hard to imagine it all coming together without Operations Coordinator Alison Heppner. In fact, Alison started with Rebecca Farm in 2004, only three years after The Event began in 2002; she soon became Rebecca Broussard’s assistant and has taken over the reins, so to speak, from there. Today, Event Organizer Sarah Broussard describes Alison as her unflappable Girl Friday—she organizes and

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coordinates the trade fair and vendor court, identifies and brings on sponsors for The Event, and arranges all travel and accommodations for event officials, among numerous other responsibilities. “Alison knows so much of the day-today operations. She runs a lot of the show; I don’t think she realizes how much we rely on her. To be honest, if Alison wasn’t here, we’d be lost.

She’s a keystone to running The Event at Rebecca Farm.”

Described as hard-working,

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

diligent, and organized, Alison keeps the team on-task throughout the busy year of planning, particularly Sarah, who admits that this is not her strong suit: “[Alison] is a pleasure to work with, and she does a very good job of keeping me in line—sometimes that’s a bit difficult. I’m a last-minute person… She’s good at getting me to complete the projects that are on my plate.”

In addition to her devotion to her work at Rebecca Farm, Alison is a mom to three little

girls (five, four, and one) with husband Kris, who describes her as: “a wonderful mother; a best friend (not just to me, but to other people, as well); genuinely caring. Our daughters love their mommy so much.

They all go to three different schools, and [Alison will drop them all off, and then] work a ten-hour day during The Event.

She’s very selfless, always go-go-go. She literally does everything.”

And despite her hectic schedule, Alison never loses sight of her professional responsibilities. “She’s very hands-on, sometimes up until midnight sending emails and trying to check up on everything. She doesn’t take working for the Broussards for granted; it’s a gift to make sure that The Event goes smoothly every year. And it’s a challenge she looks forward to. [Not everyone can say this, but] Alison actually enjoys what she does when she gets up in the morning,” says Kris.

Both Sarah and Kris agree that keeping this Special Person honor a surprise will pose a unique challenge this year, with Alison as the recipient.

“She is so sharp; nothing gets by her,” laughs Sarah. “If we can pull this off, it will be amazing.” Kris concurs: “I don’t know how you’re going to get this around Alison; she knows everything!”

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FOUNDATION A EVENTING'S FUTURE STARTS WITH YOU

family and team there runs one of the best competitions I’ve had the privilege of riding in,” she says.

Erin currently runs ES Eventing out of the former Derry Meeting Farm, in Cochranville, Pennsylvania. She continues to train with Boyd and Silva Martin.

DEVELOPING RIDERS TRAVEL GRANT RECIPIENTS

T

he USEA Foundation’s Rebecca Broussard International Developing Riders Committee assesses

rider applications from all over the United States to determine those eligible to receive the Rebecca Broussard Developing Riders Travel Grants. These grants assist riders with travel to Kalispell so they can compete in the three-star divisions during The Event at Rebecca Farm. During the event, interviews take place for those participants interested in applying for the larger, two-year grants. In 2017, the International Developing Rider Grant ($30,000) was awarded to Erin Sylvester (who also won the 2017 event) and the National Developing Rider Grant (minimum of $10,000) was awarded to Madeline Backus. The two yearend grants were presented at the USEA Meeting and Convention in December 2017.

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

The grants are made available by the Broussard Charitable Foundation in memory of Rebecca Broussard, whose greatest wish was to help riders attain their dreams of competing on a U.S. Eventing Team at the Olympic, World and Pan American Games.

ERIN SYLVESTER Originally hailing from Hingham, Massachusetts, Erin Sylvester actively campaigns her string of upper-level horses and has competed across the country and around the world at competitions including Fair Hill International CCI3* (Maryland), Bromont CCI3* (Canada), The Rolex Kentucky CCI4* (Kentucky), The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4* (England), and Pau International CCI4* (France). “It’s been an amazing experience to be a part of the Rebecca Broussard International Travel Grant this year. The

The fundamental mission of the USEA Foundation is to protect and preserve the sport of Eventing for future generations and to provide support for the core educational, safety and equine welfare programs of the USEA. In addition, the Foundation administers educational grants for riders with the intent of preparing them to reach their goals.

MADELINE BACKUS At just 22 years old, Madeline is at the top of her game. She made her Four-Star debut last spring at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. In January 2018, Madeline moved to the UK to work for Austin O’Connor and develop her international experience, thanks in part to the Broussard Charitable Foundation. She and P.S. Arianna are aiming for the two British four-stars this year. “This is truly a huge step in my development as an equestrian athlete, and I am beyond grateful for all the people involved in making this journey possible.” she said.

FULFILLING DREAMS The USEA Foundation supports programs that benefit riders of all ages, from all walks of life, and who ride at all levels of competition. We count among our membership riders from eight to eighty, from starter horse trials to the highest level of international competitions including the Olympic Games. The USEA Foundation works in close cooperation with the USEA to provide funding for educational programs specifically designed to help each of these riders attain their individual goals and ultimately fulfill their dreams.

YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS

2017 RECIPIENTS Madeline Backus, Colorado Andrea Baxter, California Kirsten Buffamoyer, South Carolina Anna Collier, Washington Hallie Coon, Massachusetts Ashlynn Dorsey, California Ellen Doughty-Hume, Texas Molly Kinnamon, Pennsylvania Emilee Libby, California Jennifer McFall, California Hillary Moses, Pennsylvania Emily Pestl-Dimmett, Washington Alyssa Phillips, Texas Bunnie Sexton, California Maya Simmons, North Carolina Erin Sylvester, Pennsylvania

Your generous support through donations and memberships helps ensure the long-term future of the USEA and the sport of Eventing. To make an online donation to any of our campaigns, or to find out more about the USEA Safety and Educational Programs, please visit us on the web.

USEAFOUNDATION.ORG | USEVENTING.COM Stockimageservices.com

Erin Sylvester (left) and Madeline Backus receive their Rebecca Broussard Developing Riders Travel Grants.

OUR MISSION

Stockimageservices.com

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

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SPONSORED BY

Good luck to our Canadian Eventing Team!

We are proud to support your journey to the Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North.

Our 2018 teams showcase the incredible depth of talent we have for the next generation of Canadian Equestrian Team riders!

2018 PROGRAM JULY 18–22, 2018 KALISPELL, MT

All photos by RedBayPhotos

AREA VI YOUNG RIDERS WELCOME YOUNG RIDERS

would like to thank all those who showed their support of our candidates on their journey to the

2018 NORTH AMERICAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

A LETTER FROM THE USEF

GOLD LEVEL ($1,500 AND ABOVE)

W

elcome to the Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North, formerly known as the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. The United States Equestrian Federation (US Equestrian) is proud to be a part of North America’s premier youth championships, where aspiring young equestrians gather from all parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico to vie for team and individual medals. For the second consecutive year, Montana Equestrian Events and Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana, host the eventing portion of these championships, while Old Salem Farm in North Salem, New York, welcomes dressage and jumping competitors from August 1–5. Together with the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), Equestrian Canada, the Mexican Equestrian Federation, US Equestrian affiliates (the U.S. Dressage Federation, the U.S. Eventing Association, and the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association), and the organizing committees, we have ushered in a renewed commitment to bring the future of equestrian sport a meaningful experience.

Now, for the event’s 44th year, we have implemented numerous improvements aimed at preserving the heart of these championships for future generations. These championships serve as the backdrop to unforgettable moments. As a father of a former participant and Olympian, I understand first-hand how these championships shape the development of young riders.

Some of the very best in equestrian sport have applied their young rider experience to the teams they participate on today. It is our pleasure to present these young equestrian athletes with the opportunity to showcase their talents and gain valuable international championship experience.

We are extremely grateful for the continued support of our sponsors Adequan, Gotham North, and Hodges Badge Company; Howard Simpson for his dedicated involvement and generosity; as well as Montana Equestrian Events and Rebecca Farm for returning as hosts. We especially would like to thank the families and trainers who support the young athletes and their equine partners in pursuit of these championships and their equestrian dreams. To the volunteers, staff, and officials, we recognize your tireless work and appreciate your commitment to ensuring that these championships are safe, fair, and enjoyable for horses, athletes, and spectators alike. On behalf of US Equestrian, thank you to all the equestrian sport enthusiasts for coming out to cheer on the exceptional horses and youth athletes competing in the 2018 North American Youth Championships.

BRINGING THE JOY OF HORSE SPORTS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE,

MURRAY S. KESSLER USEF PRESIDENT 76

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

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It’s so great to be back at Rebecca Farm!

WELCOME!

L

A LETTER FROM ALLYN MANN, ADEQUAN

uitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc., manufacturer of Adequan® i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), welcomes everyone to the 2018 Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North at Rebecca Farms. Some of the very best young talent in North America will converge at this site to be challenged and tested as they compete for the “Gold.”

Adequan® is recognized as the Official Joint Therapy of the United States Equestrian Federation, United States Dressage Federation, United States Eventing Association, American Endurance Racing Championship and the National Reining Horse Association. Through these relationships, we support all levels of competition from the amateur/novice to the Olympic competitor. Luitpold Pharmaceuticals believes in providing support for the hopes and dreams of riders of all levels.

Please visit with our representative, Matt Stallsmith, at this event and make sure to take home some Adequan® swag and educational items.

All your support is greatly appreciated.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THE RIDERS!

There is

NO GENERIC ADEQUAN

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INDICATIONS For the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

ALLYN G. MANN DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS LUITPOLD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

There are no known contraindications to the use of intramuscular Adequan® i.m. brand Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan in horses. Studies have not been conducted to establish safety in breeding horses.

WARNING: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Please see Full Prescribing Information at www.adequan.com.

Adequan® and the Horse Head design are registered trademarks of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. © Luitpold Animal Health, division of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017. PP-AI-US-0057 7/2017

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PP-AI-US-0057_NonSpecificHorse_RebeccaFarm_7.375x9.75.indd 1

5/16/2018 4:45:00 PM

NAYC

THE ADEQUAN/FEI NORTH AMERICAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

T

HE 2018 Adequan®/FEI North

momentous achievement and an import-

priority for the FEI and for USEF. We are

American Youth Champion-

ant gateway for these junior equestrians.

dedicated to working with our host sites

ships presented by Gotham

The NAJC is both a proving ground and

and sponsors on making the 2018 ‘North

North, is the premier equestrian

a goal in itself for talented young riders.

Americans’ the best Youth Championships

competition in North America for riders

By providing these equestrians the chance

ever. This is an important Champion-

between the ages of 14 and 21. It’s also the

to work with renowned coaches and to

ship and we are excited about many new

only Fédération Equestre Internationale

test their skill, discipline, and endurance

changes being implemented this year,”

championship competition to take place

against some of the best riders from other

said US Equestrian President Murray Kes-

annually on this continent.

nations, the NAJC helps eventing thrive

sler. “These championships are a necessity

for future generations.

to the growth of equestrian sport and the

The North American Youth Champi-

New this year, US Equestrian (USEF)

development of our youth athletes. For

eventers from the United States’ various

is pleased to announce that the FEI North

most, this is their first time competing in

competition regions together to compete

American Childrens, Junior and Young

a championship. This event gives them an

with teams from nations such as Canada

Rider Championships have been rebrand-

early sense of what it is like to represent

and Mexico for an event modeled on the

ed the Adequan/FEI North American

their country and compete as part of a

Olympic Games. Riders must meet certain

Youth Championships presented by Go-

team. It also may influence whether they

criteria before their region or nation selects

tham North (NAYC) and will include nu-

decide to pursue a career in riding, so it is

them for their respective teams, and to

merous improvements versus prior years.

imperative that we invest and commit to

receive a berth for the NAJCs is both a

“Youth development is a major strategic

its and their success.”

onships traditionally brings top young

80

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

Gotham North Georgina Bloomberg Wish the best of luck to all athletes competing at the 2018 Adequan/FEI North American Youth Championships

NAYC OFFICIALS

2017 WINNERS

2017 CCI* WINNERS: AREA VI

FEI PRESIDENT OF GROUND JURY FEI TECHNICAL DELEGATE

GASTON BILEITCZUK, France Gaston has been involved in eventing for 25 years. He was a competitor while in the French Army and then on his own at the 3* level, as an international teacher and trainer, and breeder.

JO YOUNG, Canada Born in England, Jo immigrated to Canada in 1977 and obtained FEI status. She has judged most of the 3* and 4* events in North and South America as well as judging in Europe and Australia, and two Pan American games.

Jo has received a Lifetime achievement award from Canadian Eventing. She has run all types of events including CIC***World Cup Qualifiers and CCI*s with her partner Bill McKeen.

FEI GROUND JURY

FEI DEPUTY CHIEF STEWARD

FEI ASSISTANT VET DELGATE

JUDY HANCOCK, Great Britain

ANA SCHRAVESANDE, Texas, USA

CHARLES ARENSBERG

Judy has competed in eventing up to 4* level, completing both Badminton and Burghley. She is a list 3a BD judge and a level 3 FEI eventing judge.

Although Ana’s family is from the Netherlands, she was born and introduced to eventing in Mexico City, where she went on to create the first civilian events. Ana organized her first event in 1981. Ana is an FEI and a USEF course designer, judge, and technical delegate.

Chuck joined Equine Veterinary Care in 2005 after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary school in 2003.

He previously completed a hospital internship program at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, and worked in Florida at Ocala Equine Hospital.

Chuck works primarily with lameness and diagnostic imaging cases in race and sport horses. He is a licensed FEI Eventing veterinarian.

FEI ASSISTANT STEWARD

CATHERINE TEXTER BAKER VIVIEN VAN BUREN FEI CHIEF STEWARD

FEI FOREIGN VET DELEGATE

SHEILA STRICKLER, Arizona, USA FEI ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DELEGATE

CINDY DEPORTER, North Carolina, USA Cindy competes at the novice level on her mare Ana D. Cindy is an “S” level official event judge and a technical delegate and also FEI 3/4* technical delegate.

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FEI GROUND JURY

ROBERT STEVENSON, Wyoming, USA Robert Stevenson was raised in Big Horn, Wyoming, and has been an active competitor, trainer, and instructor, as well as a licensed eventing judge and technical delegate.

The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

Sheila has ridden horses since she was six years old.

She obtained her dressage license in 1983 and event judge license in 1988. Sheila became a FEI Level 2 steward for the 2010 WEG in Kentucky and has stewarded numerous events since.

ALFONSON ATES AREVALO Tribouillier, Guatamala NAYC TRAVEL COORDINATOR FEI VET COMMISION PRESIDENT

YVES ROSSIER, Québec, Canada Yves has been a professor of equine sports medicine at the Université de Montréal since 1990 and has been published in numerous academic scientific journals.

Yves is currently the national head FEI veterinarian in Canada and the veterinary delegate for eventing, jumping, dressage, and driving for the Fédération Équestre Internationale.

MAX CORCORAN, Florida, USA Max Corcoran has been grooming at the highest level for over 17 years. She worked for the O’Connor Event Team for 11 years traveling to the Olympics, World Championships, and Pan American Games, among others. Max is on the USEA’s Board of Governors.

DELANEY VADEN

MALLORY HOGAN

KALEY SAPPER

ISABELLA DOWEN

HORSE: RedRox Jazzman (Bud Lite x Jiwani Dancer), 13-year-old American Warmblood gelding

HORSE: Clarissa Purisima (Limmerick I x Briza), 10-yearold Holsteiner mare

HORSE: Tuscan Sun (Midnight Royalty x C Alyssa), 15-yearold Thoroughbred gelding

HORSE: Lasse 73 (Lordanos x Georgiana), 17-year-old Oldenburg gelding

TRAINERS: Derek and Bea di Grazia on the West Coast; Matt and Cecily Brown on the East Coast.

TRAINER: Andrea Pfeiffer, Chocolate Horse Farm

TRAINER: Rebecca Braitling

TRAINER: Liza Horan

After last year’s Event at Rebecca Farm, Kaley headed off to college to begin her degree in biomedical engineering at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.

She was able to bring her horse to college and has continued competing. She also has aspirations of being an integral part of an eventing team at Cal Poly and expanding the intercollegiate program on the West Coast.

Pony Club provided Isabella with her introduction to competition. She began riding at age seven and transitioned to eventing her freshman year of high school. She started by leasing two horses, and then purchased Lasse 73. This year she plans to compete again at Rebecca Farm in Intermediate before she heads off to college in the fall.

Delaney’s present for her seventh birthday was a riding lesson. A decade ago, her grandparents purchased RedRox Jazzman, and the pair has found success ever since. She describes him as a once-in-a-lifetime horse that likes to perform and win as much as she does. She attends school online so that she can live with her trainers as a working student.

Mallory received her first riding lesson at age four as a birthday gift. She was paired with a faithful pony that taught her the fundamentals. In seventh grade, she began looking for a horse to compete in Young Rider events and found Clarissa.

She wanted a horse that was green to meet her budget and allow the team an opportunity to grow together, and Clarissa Purisima was the perfect fit.

2017 RESULTS 2017 CICOY2** LEVEL

2017 CH. N. AM. J CCI1* WINNER:

TEAM COMPETITION WINNERS: AREA I/IV:

RIDER: Tosca Holmes-Smith HORSE: Fiat

RIDER: Cornelia Dorr HORSE: Sir Patico MH

2017 CICOY2* WINNER:

RIDER: Lily Geelan HORSE: Luksor

RIDER: William Zuschlag HORSE: RF Southern Command

RIDER: Melanie Rousseau HORSE: Sullivan

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PARTICIPANTS

USEA Area III consists of the States of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi. Area III is proud to have this superb One Star Team representing them in the North American Youth Championships. The Event at Rebecca Farms is the pinnacle of Events, and is much cherished by the members of the United States Eventing Association.

These riders and their horses have worked years to reach the goal of representing Area III at this moment in time. Congratulations to all of the competitors who are competing on this International stage, and know that Area III is honored to support the One Star Team for 2018!

L

eila Saxe and her partner Mr. Bojangles will be representing the Area III 1* Team. She is 15 years old from Atlanta, Georgia and is trained by Kyle Carter. Leila and Mr. Bojangles have been a team for three years.

Leila Saxe & Mr. Bojangles

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yan Wood and her partner Galway Blazer will be representing the Area III 1* Team. She is 18 years old from Mobile, Alabmaa and is trained by Hilda Donahue. Ryan and Galway Blazer have been a team for eight years.

JULIE RICHARDS - Area III Young Rider Coach

J

ulie is a former Area III Young Rider having represented the area at the CCI** in 1988. From Young Riders, Julie went on to become a member of the US Olympic Team in 2000 and again in 2004, finishing 9th individually in 2000 and team bronze medal in 2004. Following her Olympic experiences, Julie was a member of the US Selecting Committee from 2010-2014 for the Pan Am Games, World Championships and London Olympics. Julie is a Graduate A in Pony Club and an ICP Level 4 instructor. Since 2009, Julie has been teaching and sourcing/producing horses from her home base in Newnan, GA, as well as competing each year in numerous horse trials and CCI/CIC events up thru Advanced / *** level. Julie currently coaches young riders, adult amateurs as well as helping several young professionals. She is also the mother to two non-horsey children ages 13 and 15. As the 2018 Area III Young Rider coach, Julie looks forward to working with riders of all levels, as well as their home coaches, to make the young riders program a learning environment for all.

Ryan Wood & Galway Blazer

J Jessie Schwartz & WHF Kitaro

essie Schwartz and her partner WHF Kitaro will be representing the Area III 1* Team. She is 17 years old from Alpharetta, Georgia who is trained by Tawn Edwards. Jessie and WHF Kitaro have been a team for three years.

G

race Smith and her partner Sir Saulserford Nazar( Finn) will be representing Area III 1* Team. She is 16 yo from Newnan, GA who is trained by Jade Anderson. Grace and (Finn) have been a team for 2 years.

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Grace Smith & Sir Saulserford Nazar

Katie Strickland Head Groom

K

atie has been a Professional Groom for over 25 years. Katie has had the pleasure of working for and with many Olympic and Upper Level Riders. Some of those include Mara DePuy, Buck Davidson, Will Coleman, and Sara Murphy. Over the years, Katie has been the Head Groom at several North American Young Rider Championships. She was with teams representing Area II when the competition was in Virginia, and Area III when the competition was in Colorado. Katie is based out of her family farm in Waverly Hall, Ga., where she helps manage the farm and rides her horse Chequers Macon.

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TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

LEARNING TO COMPETE AS A TEAM IS CENTRAL TO THE NORTH AMERICAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS.

BY KATIE NAVARRA

While eventing is a highly solitary sport, junior championships provide young competitors the opportunity to work as a team. Often teammates have competed against each other at prior events.

E

VENTING IS A SOLITARY SPORT: Whether on course or in the dressage court, you’re all alone with your horse, both in training and in competition. But at the North American Youth Championships—the junior Olympics of eventing—the chance to work with a team can be a life-changing experience for teenage eventers.

Like the Olympics, this prestigious event for riders age 14–21 brings together top riders from around North America in both individual and team competitions.

Many participants haven’t competed in teams, so part of the goal for Youth Championships is to give them the experience of working together for a team medal, rather than an individual win. That can be a major mind shift for the entire entourage, from competitors and families to grooms and coaches. For many, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) competition is the first time they’ve competed under international rules, and from

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different horse rules to restricted access to stabling areas, a strict code of conduct applies.

Throughout the year, individual riders prepare under the guidance of their own trainers and work towards achieving personal goals. So when the championships arrive, it is a totally different experience than showing alone. We talked to last year’s Youth Championships CCI* gold medal team (Area VI), coaches, and coordinators about what it’s like to go from solo to team competition.

“It’s an amazing feeling to have girls you’ve been competing against for as long as you can remember by your side, and on your side,” says Kaley Sapper. She and her horse, Tuscan Sun, were part of the Youth Championships CCI* Area VI gold medal team that competed at Rebecca Farm in 2017. “They’re there to hug you after a bad round and to high five you so hard your hand hurts after a stellar one,” she says.

Riding on a team is as much about friendship as it is personal development, says the Area VI Coach Rebecca Braitling, who represented Australia when she was a Young Rider. “The experiences of riding on a team, the good and bad, taught me a lot about myself. I was put in situations where I struggled and others where I thrived,” she says. “You learn a lot about yourself when you’re focusing on your performance, but also how you work with others. It’s a good life skill.”

Sapper agrees: “I feel like I have grown so much as a rider and a person from it.

It’s an extremely humbling and incredible experience that I feel very lucky to have been a part of.”

Once riders qualify for their first championship, they can’t wait to repeat it. Some ride multiple years until they age out of the program. Delaney Vaden, riding RedRox Jazzman, competed in 2016, when her team won the bronze medal, as well as on 2017’s gold medal team.

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Team activities offered throughout the multi-day mid-July event foster unity; many teams rent a house, rather than individual hotel rooms. Team dinners and group discussions are designed to encourage each rider to voice concerns, share comments, and ask questions. “It’s unique because of the camaraderie around the barn,” says Area VI team member Mallory Hogan. “We even went out dancing together one night.”

Coaches play a big role in creating cohesion. Braitling says that it’s always tough to bring a diverse group of horses and riders together. As a competitor herself, Braitling sets the tone because the kids see her competing at events. “I think you set a standard that should be upheld. It’s about respect for yourself, your horse, and your teammates,” she said. “I take what I do seriously.”

Prior to arriving at Rebecca Farm, Braitling took the time to develop working relationships with each of the riders’ trainers, so that she knew what the kids were working on at home. “When everyone is on the same page and working for the same outcome, I think you get strength from that,” she says.

Area VI riders are fortunate to have an active group across California: The riders know one another from regular competition. Once the selection process is completed, the area hosts a training camp and other activities to foster team spirit before the competition occurs.

Not every rider has access to the same level of interaction prior to the championships. In Oregon, it’s difficult to field enough riders for a complete team, says Diane Snow, the North American Youth Championships coordinator and owner of Gallops Saddlery. Her daughter represented Area VII five times, but was always a catch rider, matched up with other riders from around the country who also didn’t have a full team. Making the effort to meet new people is key, says Isabella

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The Event at Rebecca Farm 2018

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Dowen. She and her horse, Lasse 73, were also part of the Area VI CCI* gold medal team. She considers herself social and outgoing, and she thrives on meeting new people. “I made a point of talking to other people in our barn and other barns to meet riders from around the country,” she says. “I really wanted to learn more about each of my teammates.”

It can be intimidating, however, to interact with other riders who have progressed into higher levels of competition.

Prior to qualifying for the Area VI team, Kaley Sapper hadn’t had much interaction with the Youth Championships program.

“When I was running lower levels, I felt some kind of invisible barrier and thought that you had to be jumping the green numbers [preliminary level] to be ‘worthy,’” she says. “But in my time with the team and being involved, I realized that the program has its arms wide open to riders of all levels and of all ages.”

CHALLENGES OF A TEAM

It’s a significant responsibility to commit to the team. Team riders often go on to higher-level competitions and are in the spotlight for developing rider lists. “It’s kind of a big deal,” Snow says. “These kids are riding in the Junior Olympics.”

“When you’re on a team, you understand that the team comes first,” says Leslie Law. The Ocala, FL, Olympic medalist and trainer is the developing rider coach for the United States. He explains that the Championships teach riders that they sometimes have to make personal sacrifices for the greater good.

“If you’re told the day of cross-country to ride a certain fence in a way that you wouldn’t when you’re riding for yourself, you need to understand to follow orders and that you may need to take the long route because you’re playing for the team,” he says.

Riding on a team can introduce a new level of anxiety, as individual perfor-

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mance impacts the outcome for more than one person. Team members say there is a lot of pressure because no one wants to let the other riders on the team down. “The added pressure made me more anxious going into the ring,” Hogan says. “But everyone had such a positive attitude, and we knew that no matter what happened on course that they’d be supportive.” The pressure can also bring out the best in each individual. “There were definitely moments when I felt like ‘This is a lot,’ but it taught me to have a cool head under pressure,” says Dowen. “It became clear to me to never give up or let the pressure of an event get to me,” she says.

Law notes that riding on a team can be distracting for a number of reasons: You’re more aware of what others are doing on course, and some riders will second-guess themselves. “Some riders see someone else do something differently and then go and change what they do,” Law says. He coaches riders to know their routines: “Have a plan and focus on what you know you do well.”

MAKING THE MOST OF IT

Exhilarating—that’s what some riders say about the experience. Other bonuses include having a shoulder to lean on in

stressful moments and a sounding board during course walks that aren’t always available to individual riders. And there’s nothing like sharing the glory of success with those who helped you get there. “We were all so shocked that we won the gold medal, we began hugging one another,” says Hogan. “It was such a blissful moment, one where we realized everything had come together.”

While it’s important to make the most of the experience, it’s essential not to lose yourself along the way. “Being on a team shouldn’t consume you—it’s a journey, but not the only thing you’ll ever do,” says Braitling. “You have to enjoy the process. It’s not just about making the team, but how you conduct yourself getting there.” Vaden encourages other young riders to remember how they got to the Youth Championships. “You worked hard, and your system works for you,” she says. “You were chosen because of how you and your horse perform. Don’t change everything you do because you’re riding for a team.” Hogan concurs: “Enjoy the journey. You put in a lot of time into the qualification process. Take the time to bond with the team and enjoy the experience, because it’s something you’ll hold onto for the rest of your life.”

We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to

MARTHA AND HOWARD SIMPSON for your continuing support of the Adequan/FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North

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THANKS FOR COMING TO THE EVENT AT REBECCA FARM SEE YOU NEXT YEAR! July 24–28, 2019