Jordan Linstedt and RevitaVet Capato. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Jordan Linstedt took her turn in the white box as part of the last group of riders in the inaugural CCI3* here at Rebecca Farm, and she made a lasting impression that earned her a 43.7 and the overnight lead after the dressage.

While the beefy courses promises that this will be anything but a dressage competition, Jordan is still pleased with how her and Barbara Linstedt’s 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding handled the atmosphere today.

“I was really pleased with him,” Jordan said. “He keeps getting better and better each time I go in the ring. He’s been a bit of a tricky one in the past, really spooky, comes up and gets real resistant with me. Today he felt great in there and the past six months has been better and better so I’m really excited.”

Many thanks to Chesna Klimek for the video of Jordan’s test today:

Jordan moved Capato up this spring to the four-star level, making his debut at Rolex and completing with one stop on cross country. Jordan said she felt the gelding came out of the start box at Rolex a bit greener than she expected, so her goal this year is to work on getting him more experience and confidence.

Most recently, Jordan and Capato won the CIC2* at Aspen Farms, which Jordan said was a confidence booster for her horse.

Buck Davidson and The Apprentice. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Buck Davidson held the lead as the trailblazer with The Apprentice in the division on a score of 44.1 until he was challenged by Jordan. Owned by Sherrie Martin, the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding put in what Buck says was a great test.

“The Apprentice did for sure his best test,” he said. “I’m very proud of him today.” The Apprentice is another horse who ran Rolex and is back to full competition mode, and Buck says he made the long trailer trip to Kalispell quite well.

Petite Flower, Buck’s other ride for the week, unfortunately did not travel quite as well as her trailer mate. As of now, Buck is playing it by ear as to whether he will take the mare out on cross country tomorrow. Flower scored a 54.7 for seventh place overnight, and we’ll keep you updated on any further updates on her entry status.

Kurt Martin and Delux Z. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Kurt Martin received a Rebecca Broussard Travel Grant to help with the cost of traveling here to Kalispell, and he’s currently lying third with Delux Z, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding.

“He traveled really well,” Kurt said. “He had a couple of light days when he got here. He’s been quiet, sort of focused, which has been nice. The test was good work for him. I felt like last night whenever I rode the horse in the ring familiarization was the best work he’s ever done in his life, so I was really excited about that.”

Delux Z scored a 47.0, well within reach of the top of the leaderboard — but Kurt’s main priority this weekend is to take care of his horse. It’s a long course, with the optimum time in the 10 minute 40 second range, and this is Delux Z’s first CCI3*.

“I felt like (Delux Z) needed more time than to go to Bromont,” Kurt said. “Just education, taking my time going around courses. I don’t want him to come out and just rip around. It felt like this was a great opportunity — with the USEF giving a grant to travel, it was the only reason I’m here, I couldn’t have done it on my own.”

“I think (the course) has a good flow to it,” he continued. “Hopefully for where my horse is in his education, this will be good to pick up a rhythm and take quite a few fences out of stride. It’s a bit longer than I thought it might be, but I’m going to take care of my horse at the end of the course so that I can keep on with him in the fall. That’s the most important thing to me.”

James Alliston and Tivoli. Photo by Sally Spickard.

James Alliston brought two horses here to contest the CCI3*: Tivoli and Parker. Parker is currently the higher of the two in the standings, earning a 50.9 for fourth place leading up to tomorrow’s cross country.

Tivoli isn’t too far off, scoring a 53.7 for sixth place overnight. Tivoli suffered from a bit of tension in his canter work after some lovely trot work, but again we should see plenty of opportunity for moves up tomorrow.

Bella Mowbray and Star Vision. Photo by Sally Spickard.

We’d like to issue a warm EN welcome to the States to Australian rider Bella Mowbray, who is contesting her first FEI event here in the U.S. with Star Vision. A 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Camilla Mowbray, Star Vision earned a respectable 53.7 to round out the top five after dressage. This is quite experienced pair at the three-star level, with several top 10 finishes and a couple of wins back in Australia.

Lastly, I must give a shout out to Bunnie Sexton, who put in a really classy ride on a keyed up Rise Against. Unfortunately, Bunnie’s score is not what she was hoping for, but she did a wonderful job of coaxing her horse into some moments of relaxation in a tense atmosphere. Well ridden, Bunnie!

Ride On Video was here to record the press conference this afternoon, so we’ll be adding that to this post when it becomes available. I also have many more photos to add, so please keep checking back for even more!

It’s been a wonderful day of dressage (and cross country!) here in Kalispell, and I’d like to thank the hard working staff and volunteers who have made this such a great event to work at. The WiFi is quick, the cold water is plentiful, and everyone from the volunteers to the stewards are professional and friendly. As always, thank you to Sarah Broussard for all of her hard work as hostess of what is surely everyone’s favorite summer event.

#RF: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Instagram, Twitter

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Sally Spickard.

A small crowd gathered to watch the CIC3* horses do their dressage this afternoon, and we did see some tension in many of the entrants, which was reflected in the resulting scores. The atmosphere almost served to puff Tamie Smith’s Mai Baum, owned by Alex Ahearn, up even more, resulting in a very impressive show that earned a 40.5 from the judges.

“It was his best test all year,” Tamie said. “At Great Meadow, he just didn’t feel super connected and I just felt a bit out of my element. So we came home my dressage trainer, Niki Clarke, and I worked really hard on getting him more connected and more through and today he was really, really good.”

“He has a very good presence about him,” Tamie said. “But he can be tricky, because he’s so short coupled he can a little tight in his back, but we just strategically planned a specific warm up for him and it really paid off for him.”

Chesna Klimek kindly shared this video of Tamie and “the Black Stallion’s” winning test:

I think Tamie isn’t alone when she said she was hoping for a score to crack the 30s, but she’ll take a handy 12.3 point lead into tomorrow. While judges Marilyn Payne and Angela Tucker both scored Mai Baum in the mid to high 70s, the judge at M, Heather Buckland, scored much lower, causing a 10.39 percentage point spread and also kicking the score up into the 40s.

Barb Crabo and Eveready. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Barb Crabo was our trailblazer in the CIC3*, and she earned a 52.8 with Eveready to take second overnight. This is pretty darn close to their average on the flat (this is their first time performing this test), which is 53.6, so they’re in excellent position to perhaps improve upon the predictions Maggie set forth earlier this week.

Barb and Eveready, a 16-year-old Swedish gelding, are one of the most experienced pairs here, and they are no strangers to Rebecca Farm. They’ve placed fifth in the CCI3* for the past two years running.

Jen McFall and High Times also put in a very nice looking test, earning a 53.1 for third place overnight. Jen was pleased with her test, as she can feel her 11-year-old Holsteiner really maturing as time goes on.

Jen McFall and High Times. Photo by Sally Spickard.

“He started off actually pretty hot in the warmup, so I was a little worried because he wasn’t feeling real rideable,” Jen said. “But when we got (in the ring), he actually was showing a little maturity. He got in there and went to work. We still had some sticky moments, but he actually recovered from them and went on.”

A year ago, Jen says, “Billy” may have let a few tense moments steer the direction of the remainder of the test, but today Jen felt him listen to her aids and respond by continuing to work instead of melting down. That’s a start she’ll take as she looks ahead to the CCI3* at Blenheim this fall.

Anna Collier and Gleaming Road. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Anna Collier and Gleaming Road, one of our returning Rolex pairs in this division, slotted into fourth place with a score of 58.9. An 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Gleaming Road completed his first CCI4* in Kentucky this spring and has been a consistent three-star performer for Anna. This pair was ninth here last year, and they’ve taken a bit off their score of 60.6.

Topping off the five leaders are Anna Grandia and Chaos and Ashlyyn Meuchel and Morning Star, who are tied on a 60.9. Anni and Chaos, a lovely 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding, are CIC3* first-timers, as are Ashlynn and Morning Star, who is a former ride of Lynn Symansky’s.

We’re kicking off the inaugural CCI3* dressage in just a few minutes — we have 14 horses and riders to see, so keep checking back for more from that division.

#RF: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Instagram, Twitter

It’s time for your daily edition of Who Jumped It Best? Rebecca Farm! Today we turn our attention to the Training Three-Day divisions, which just completed their phase D on endurance day. The course, judging from the announcing, was challenging and caused a few issues, but we saw lots of big smiles and athletic horses at the end. We have four riders for you to choose from today, so pick your favorite overall impression and vote in the poll below! Go Rebecca.

#RF: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Instagram, Twitter

Amy Gentile and Parfait. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Melissa Thorson and Rooster Cogburn. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Sophia Hulme and Ice Ice Cooley. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Tommy Greengard and Colonial Art. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Tamie Smith and Under Wraps. Photo by Lisa Takada for Eventing Nation.

It’s been a great beginning to competition here at Rebecca Farm! It was a busy day of riding, and the first complete day is officially in the books. We also can’t forget about the Future and Young Event Horse divisions who competed yesterday, so here’s the full scoop on day one.

In the CCI* this afternoon, Kelly Pugh has overtaken the lead aboard Corazon, a relatively new ride owned by David Garrett. An 8-year-old KWPN gelding, Corazon was originally campaigned by New Zealand’s Lucy Jackson through the two-star level. In their first start together, Kelly and Corazon placed fourth in the Prelim at Shepherd Ranch in June.

Kelly and Corazon earned a 41.3 to take the lead in a strong field going into the cross country portion of competition. Lying in second after the dressage are Tamie Smith and Under Wraps, her second ride of the CCI*.

Owned by Beth Lendrum, Under Wraps is an 8-year-old KWPN gelding making his FEI debut after most recently winning his Open Prelim division at Copper Meadows last month.

Auburn Excell Brady and Pinotage. Photo by Lisa Takada for Eventing Nation.

Rounding out the latest top three in the CCI* is Auburn Excell Brady and her second ride, Pinotage. A 7-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Lo Olbin, Pinotage is also a CCI* first-timer, having most recently coming fourth in the Open Prelim at Copper Meadows.

Tamie and Auburn now have two rides each in the top five, so Saturday is sure to bring some exciting moments as the leaders duke it out for the eventual winnings.

All of the Novice divisions, excluding the Three Day divisions, who rode dressage only, completed their dressage and cross country competition today. The Novice course is definitely a true Novice course, with plenty of challenges and tricky questions.

What caught my eye the most was the final water complex, which features jumps for every other division as well. This made for a lot of navigating through the various fences to reach the Novice question, and it was really neat to see the riders and horses figuring it out (and making it look easy!).

Your Novice leaders after the first two phases are as follows:

Senior Novice

A: Karen O’Neal and Briena 21.8)

B: Shari Peterson and Oliver Money (26.5)

C: Lauren Boriotti and Slingshot (28.0)

D: Leigh Mesher and Finally DG (24.0)

E: Robyn Fisher and Erusa (23.0)

Junior Novice:

A: Genevieve Kirsch and Fleeceworks Cinco (21.8)

B: Lilly Linder and Pele (23.3)

Your Novice Three-Day leaders after dressage are:

A: Taress Hsu and Gideon (26.8)

B: Kathryn Canario and Ringwood Little Imp (20.5)

Some of the Training divisions completed their dressage tests (can you tell it was a busy day today?) and will move on to cross country tomorrow, beginning with the Three Day divisions in the morning.

Your Training leaders following dressage are:

Senior A: Bonner Carpenter and Darkside (20.2)

Training Three Day:

A: Erin Kellerhouse and Rondelet (25.3)

B: Katelyn Grubich and Kaptain Jak (27.2)

C: Dana Todd and MMS Amadeus (26.2)

Earl McFall and Let’s Go DF. Photo via Hawley Bennett on Instagram.

Earl McFall and Let’s Go DF are your Four Year Old YEH winners, earning a total percentage of 78% throughout the three sections of Conformation/Type, Dressage and Jumping/Potential.

Let’s Go DF, a Holsteiner/Thoroughbred gelding by Linaro out of Rani D, was bred by Dragonfire Farm and was the West Coast 3-year-old Future Event Horse champion in 2014 — suffice it to say this one is one to keep your eye on!

Kelsey Horn and Tomlong Ratatouille, a Thoroughbred gelding owned by the Pinnacale Syndicate LLC, earned the top marks in the 5-year-old Young Event Horse class with a final percentage of 81.4.

Catie Cejka and Clarity Redefined are the sole entrants in the Future Event Horse Yearling division and they earned a solid 78.2% for Conformation and Type. In the Future Event Horse Two Year Old division, it’s Marc Grandia and Quantum Theory who will take home the top honors with a total percentage of 79.3.

We’ll be adding photos to this post from the day, so refresh this page for a better look at the day’s action! Much more to come tomorrow, as the remaining FEI divisions commence their dressage.

Many thanks to Rebecca Farm, Ride On Video and Frankie Thieriot Stutes for the great coverage from each day of competition. Check out day two’s coverage here:

#RF: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Instagram, Twitter

The competition may have just commenced, but we’ve already seen riders out on cross country this afternoon. The Novice divisions rode their dressage tests this morning and also are running cross country this afternoon, so they’re the first ones to get a taste of the beautiful course here at Rebecca Farm.

There are two Junior Open Novice divisions and six Senior Open Novice divisions to see this weekend in addition to the two Novice Three-Day divisions — definitely the largest division by far.

I had the opportunity to go out on cross country for a bit today to watch some of the Novice action, so I’ve put together a Who Jumped It Best? for those that I saw. Please take a look at the following photos and vote for your favorite overall presentation. Eternal EN karma to the winner! Good luck!

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Amy Dery and Cusco.

Jennifer Smart and Aloan. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Ashley Nielsen and Mya. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Kathy Rundhaug and Skye Full of Stars. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Renate Price and SpeeDee Dee. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Sara Mackenzie and Sweetsinginanita. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Tara Hogan and Gone With the Wind. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Bunnie Sexton and Rise Against. Photo by Lisa Takada for Eventing Nation.

FEI competition officially began yesterday at the highly anticipated Event at Rebecca Farm with the first horse inspection, and we’re pleased to report that all horses were accepted and will proceed on to dressage.

The crisp mountain air here made for some frisky horses, and sure enough there were a few moments of excitement on the jog strip. The wonderful Lisa Takada was on the ground to shoot photos for EN yesterday while I completed the last legs of my travel, and we’re lucky to have (adorable preggo) Frankie Thieriot Stutes on the grounds bringing us fantastic video interviews.

Here’s what went down yesterday on the jog strip: In the CCI*, Ashlynn Meuchel’s mount Tatiana jogged twice and was accepted upon re-inspection. There were no holds or second passes down the jog strip in the CCI2*.

For the CIC3*, two horses were asked to jog twice: Rebecca Buehler’s mount Brighton due to freshness and Anni Grandia’s mount Chaos. Novelle, one of the horses coming off of competing at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event this spring, was very frisky for Angela Grzywinski, but they managed to keep all six legs on the strip.

In the CCI3*, James Alliston’s horses may have been the freshest there, with Parker being the more amped up of the pair. All of the horses were accepted, and we can’t wait to see them strut their stuff in dressage Friday.

The dressage commences today with the CCI*, while for the lower levels the Novice and Novice Three-Day competitors also will ride their tests. We’re excited for a great weekend here in Kalispell. Thank you to Rebecca Farm for this amazing event. Go Eventing!

Rebecca Farms CCI, CIC & H.T. Links: Website, Entry Status/Ride Times, Live Scores

Area II stands in gold medal position, Area V in silver and Area VIII in bronze. Photo via Wayne Grover on Facebook.

Big congratulations are in order to your 2015 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships CH-J* winning team: Area II! Area II picked up back to back wins after also winning gold in the CH-J* in 2014, and the team combined for just four jumping penalties today to take the win.

The day began on an unfortunate note for Area II as second placed individual rider Morgan Booth elected to withdraw Twizzel from the holding box during the trot-up. Morgan later posted on her Facebook page that Twizzel had some sore skin from the mud on cross country, but it sounds like he is well and will be back to fight another day.

Even without Morgan, who then became the team’s dropped score, Area II easily clinched the win over Richard Jeffery’s show jumping course in Rolex stadium today. Their final penalty score ended up 148.0, giving them a handy victory over Area V. Camilla Grover-Dodge and Remington XXV led from start to finish and jumped a double clear round to ultimately finish on their dressage score of 38.3.

Camilla and Remington have been top class all weekend, and they pick up their first CCI* win in a quite memorable way. In silver individually are Area VII’s Madelynn Snoozy and Udealer, who also jumped double clear to move up from fourth place. Picking up individual bronze is Alberta team member, Shelby Brost and Crimson, a former ride of four-star rider Daniel Clasing. In total, 15 pairs in the CH-J* added nothing to their two day score.

Area V also enjoyed a phenomenal weekend, picking up team silver on a total penalty score of 157.4. This team steadily moved up the board, beginning the weekend in fifth after dressage and third after cross country. Big congratulations to Margaret Stocker, Caroline Testi, Olivia Alland and Barrett Phillips!

Also grabbing a spot on the podium are “home” team Area VIII consisting of Jackie Lemastas, Hope Walden, Emily Hagan and Mary Peabody Camp. This team also slid into a podium spot with today’s efforts after lying fourth following cross country. Area VIII ends on a total penalty score of 161.9.

Despite picking up eight jumping penalties in today’s show jumping, Diane Portwood and Cinerescent held on for the win in the modified CCIYR2* division. Diane and her gray mare moved into first place following cross country when overnight leader Nicole Doolittle picked up a few too many time penalties on course.

Diane and Cinerescent will end their weekend on a 68.5, followed by Nicole Doolittle, the 2013 CH-J* individual gold medalist, and Tops who finished with 12 jumping and four time penalties for a three day total of 84.5. In third place and completing the division are Paige Pence and Class Action, who picked up 16 jumping penalties for a final score of 94.0.

Certainly this year was quite a bit different from what we’re used to seeing at NAJYRC with the modified two-star format. To that end, the USEA is seeking feedback on how to make the CH-Y** more feasible for the young riders who are working hard to qualify before they age out. You are encouraged to contact your area coordinators with constructive feedback on the future of the NAJYRC.

We’d once again like to thank Samantha and Lily Clark for all of their hard work bringing us coverage from NAJYRC this year. It’s always a privilege to see the next generation of event riders competing in a team environment, and we’d like to congratulate all on a successful (albeit hot!) weekend.

We’ll be updating this post with quotes from the riders, so keep checking back for more. You can also check out both RNS Video and The Horse Pesterer as they upload their videos from the weekend. Go Eventing!

NAJYRC: Website, Schedule,Instagram, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, @samanthalclark