Halt Cancer at X Challenge: The Dressage Gauntlet Is Thrown

Team USEA’s Rob Burk and Carol Kozlowski. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The Halt Cancer at X Challenge is, for liability reasons I’m sure, unsanctioned by the FEI, USEA or the USEF. Yet the glory at stake in this competition is real, as it pits six of the most “decorated” figures in American eventing against one another in a race for dignity, honor and cold hard cash donated toward a great cause: Halt Cancer at X, the fundraising campaign created in memory of The Event at Rebecca Farm founder Becky Broussard.

The rules are, admittedly, a bit nebulous. It’s a three-phase eventing competition — that much is clear — but beyond that it gets a bit hazy. Unethical behavior, like bribing the judges, seems to be encouraged, audience approval ratings determine the winner, and all bets are off when it comes to attire.

This year’s contenders, as seen in Thursday’s dressage pas de deux competition:

Team Rebecca Farm

Bert Wood and Sarah Broussard. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Team Rebecca Farm, AKA Thor and Wonderwoman, AKA Bert Wood and Sarah Broussard … best hair award, at least!

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Team USEA

Rob Burk and Carol Kozlowski. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

The finest final salute we ever did see from ‘The Dark Knight’ Rob Burk. #RebeccaFarm

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Team Officials

Bobby Stevenson and Gretchen Butts. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

And the winner was .. I’m not entirely sure. The Halt Cancer at X Challenge continues with the penultimate event, cross country, this evening, followed by a show jumping grand finale on Sunday.

There’s plenty more going on this weekend to benefit Halt Cancer at X, and we’ll keep you posted on that! Be sure to stop by Fleeceworks in the trade fair, where their great Ride for a Cause incentive is donating 10% of Pads with Purpose sales to Halt Cancer at X.

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