Classic Eventing Nation

James Alliston and HMR Rolan. Photo by Roy Brinkman for Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Cross-country at The Event at Rebecca Farm provided what is often demanded during armchair discussions of what’s best for eventing’s future. But talking about challenges that are firmly at the standard of each international level is different than navigating them. FEI course designers Jay Hambly (CAN) and Bert Wood (USA) posed tough challenges today, especially at the CCI4* and CCI3* levels. Several developing partnerships confirmed new capabilities and several pairs went back to the barn — often prematurely — with lots to work on for next time.

Challenging as they were, the courses were praised by riders and officials as fair and flowing. The footing received rave reviews, too, with one rider describing it as “like a cloud out there.”

Crowds filled Rebecca Farm’s famed Spectator Hill and spread out along the courses’ many prime viewing areas. The Vendor Fair was busy with potential future eventers enjoying free pony rides and families taking in the beauty of the venue and the horses and riders pursuing their passion on its beautiful stage.

CCI4*-L – James Alliston and HMR Rolan Lead with Wide Margin

California-based James Alliston has two-plus rails in hand for Sunday’s show jumping to earn a 4th CCI4*-L Championship here. He and Anna Nicholas’ HMR Rolan almost made the time – a remarkable feat unto itself at Rebecca Farm.

Rolan’s big stride and brave nature were especially helpful at the 23ACBC water complex, where taking the direct option shaved off important seconds. Of the 12 pairs in the CCI4* L and S divisions, only two tried it and only Alliston made it. “I thought if he was going well, I’d do it,” he said. “I think it was definitely one of those rider frighteners but the horses don’t quite see it that way.”

“Jay Hambly and Bert Wood did a great job, and I loved the course,” Alliston continued. “I loved the flow of it — it encouraged horses to keep a good gallop and to enjoy the course.”

Alliston and Rolan’s 3.2 time penalties put them on 33.8, taking over the lead from Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19, whose 16.4 time penalties brought them to a 44.7. “I learned that he has the fight and the will for this, but he got a little tired in the middle of the course.” Phillips believes the area’s 3,000’ elevation takes its toll on stamina, too.

The third pair in this field, Gabby Dickerson and Casalto jumped clear to accomplish their goal of establishing themselves at the level.

CCI4*-L show jumping takes place Sunday at 3:15 pm Mountain time.

CCI4*-S – Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy Take The Lead

Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Julie Wolfert had been “kind of laughing” about predictions that she and SSH Playboy would win the division because of their speedy track record in previous events. “My horse hasn’t run at this level in 15 months,” she explained. Playboy is coming back from a broken fetlock that could have ended his career. To be here, let alone in the CCI4*-S lead, stirred emotions. “I cried when we crossed the finish line…I cried when I was icing him,” Wolfert said. “A year and a half ago we almost had to put him down.”

Wolfert wasn’t trying to uphold her speedy reputation. “My plan was to let him pick his pace,” she said. “He went out there pulling me to every jump. He didn’t miss a beat, he answered every question. I was just trying to hold on!”

This Kansas City-based pair has ample leeway, on a 47.5, over runners-up Erin Kellerhouse and GWF Bon Vivant. Kellerhouse took full responsibility for poor presentation of 17C that resulted in a 20-penalty glance-off. She was otherwise thrilled with “Pierre’s” performance. She has developed the 11-year-old since he was 4 and is thrilled by his latest demonstration that he can easily handle the next level up. (Pierre’s stablemate Ringwood Adios Amigos is another long time in-development horse for Kellerhouse: she’s in 4th with him.)

Overnight leaders Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14 were the other pair to try the direct option at the late-course water complex (17ABCD on the 4S*). But it didn’t go well, dropping them into a distant 3rd standing.

Only five of nine CCI4*-S starters crossed the finish line. There were two rider falls, one retirement and one horse fall. Happily, no major injuries.

CCI4*-S show jumping starts Sunday at 2:50 Mountain time.

CCI3*-L Sarah Ertl and Redwood Quality Jump into Lead

Sarah Ertl and Redwood Quality. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Today was “mind blowing” for University of Kentucky student Sarah Ertl. She’s produced the 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse Redwood Quality over five years and taking the lead is a highpoint. Doing his first CCI3*-L, the horse had many places where trust in his rider carried the day, Ertl said. Especially the big bank to wedge at 19AB. “Neither of us could see that chevron behind the trees after the bank until the last stride. He asked me where we were going and having him jump it just felt really good.” They enter show jumping on a 36.1.

James Alliston is thrilled with Arnell Sporthorse’s Made by Leontine EB’s minimal time penalties. They’re 2ndon a 37, followed by Renee Kalkman and Flame Eternal.

Only these three, of nine starters, finished the course. There were four retirements, one withdraw and one rider fall.

CCI3*-L stadium jumping starts Sunday at 1:40 pm Mountain time.

CCI3*-S – Chris Talley and FE Marco Polo Keep Their Lead

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Chris Talley and FE Marco Polo kept their solid overnight lead, applying their 4* experience to make an apparent cake walk of this track. They go into the Chris Barnard-designed show jumping finale in Ring 1 on a 30.3. James Alliston and Berry made a huge jump into 2nd with 5.6 time penalties to stand on a 38.7. Alyssa Phillips’ Centerfold learned a lot over the course, answering every new challenge and adding just 9.6 time penalties to end on a 38.7.

Twenty-one horses left Rebecca Farm’s cowboy-booted start box and 15 finished in this division. Five were eliminated and there was one rider fall.

The CCI3*-S show jumping starts Sunday at 1 pm Mountain time.

CCI2*-L Helen Alliston and Fary Prince

Helen Alliston and Fary Prince. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

After delivering horses to her husband and Alliston Equestrian partner James all morning, Helen Alliston made the most of her turn by riding client Hulme Equestrian’s homebred Fary Prince into the lead on their 27.1 dressage score. Their progress together was interrupted by a Helen injury last summer, and today signaled they’re right back on track.

“I thought Bert Wood did a really good job,” she said of the course. “It was no walk in the park.” The 7-year-old British Sport Horse is “a lovely horse who knows to be calm when he has a dressage saddle on and that he can have fun when the jump saddle is on.”

Alliston and Fary Prince don’t have any rails in hand over the three pairs behind them. Madyson Hsue and ISO Cambria move into second on their 28.6 dressage effort; Bec Braitling and MBF Braxy V are third on their 29 dressage performance, followed by Sara Sellmer and Sportsfield Supernatural with a 29.9.

CCI2*-L show jumping starts Sunday at 11:10 am Mountain time.

CCI1*-L – Madeline Backus and P.S. Sir Balinor Keep the Lead

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Colorado-based Madeline Backus and her 6-year-old homebred Trakehner P.S. Sir Balinor stay on their 24.4 dressage to maintain the lead going into show jumping. They have a rail-plus in hand over Amber Birtcil and Oxford K’s 30.2 and Sarah Kruger and Twain’s Fireflight’s 30.4.

CCI1*-L show jumping starts Sunday at 9:30 am Mountain time.

The Event at Rebecca Farm (USA): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [ClipMyHorse.TV Live Stream] [YouTube Live Stream] [Volunteer]

James Alliston and HMR Rolan. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Emotions are heating up along with the weather as The Event at Rebecca Farm marks its 25th year. Infinite blue sky and lush green grass set the stage for warm reflections of a brilliant history as horses and riders made the most of their chance to pursue their eventing passion here.

Close to 600 horses are gathered, hailing from throughout North America and Canada. An in-depth educational agenda around the Classic USEA Novice and Training Three Days reflects Rebecca Farm’s commitment to the sport’s future. And the surprise early induction of Jerome Broussard into the US Eventing Association’s Hall of Fame Thursday night honored Rebecca Farm and the Broussard family’s huge role in the sport’s evolution.

Presented by non-profit Montana Equestrian Events, Inc., The Event continues through Sunday, July 19, 2026 in Kalispell, Montana. Admission is free to the public and the international action can be viewed via free livestream on Rebecca Farm’s YouTube channel.

Dressage Kick-Off

James Alliston and HMR Rolan. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

With the split of FEI dressage divisions into two days, three-time Rebecca Farm CCI4*-L champion James Alliston and the consistently good HMR Rolan sit atop so far with a 30.6 score from judges Bea DiGrazia (USA), Peter Gray (CAN) and Valerie Pride (USA). On Friday, Virginia-based Gabby Dickerson, with Casalto, and Florida-based Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19 will seek to beat that before heading out on Jay Hambly and Bert Wood’s cross-country track Saturday.

CCI4*-L entry numbers are light this year, with the absence of FEI World Championships-bound Tamie Smith, last year’s champion, and a few other regulars. But the intensity of competition is high with potential future stars ready for their close-up on The Event’s international stage.

CCI4*-L dressage continues Friday starting at 1:20 pm Mountain time.

Jen Moody and Fixin De Conde. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

As a qualifier for the US Equestrian Open of Eventing, the CCI4*-S is solid in entries and abilities.

Jen Moody leads the first five of a 9-horse field on Team Rebecca’s Fixin De Conde. Moody is based at Rebecca Farm, but she said there’s no home field advantage. “Starting two weeks before, there’s a new porta-potty every day, and flags going up everywhere. It’s hard, but I think he’s taking it in stride.”

She also had her own home-turf disadvantage to overcome in the famously atmospheric Ring 1’s dressage court. “I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well at home,” she shares. “I have a lot of friends and people watching, and sometimes I can psych myself out. This time, I just went in there thinking I’m going to have fun. And I think it worked out pretty well!”

Nicknamed “Pullitz” after a “big fluffy dog” in an old French cartoon, the 11-year-old Selle Francais has been with Moody since December. They got to know each while indooring it through Montana’s snowy winter, then spent spring in California developing their partnership further with three top 10 CCI3*-S finishes.

Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Per the US Equestrian Open of Eventing’s Fan Guide, Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy are the favorites to win this division, and they’re 2nd in today’s half of the field on a 35.9. Stephanie Goodman and Elwenda DP are 3rd on a 36.9, and fresh from a win at this level at the Aspen Farms Horse Trials.

Wolfert and Playboy are favored primarily for their speed over cross-country. Time has always been tough to make at The Event’s international courses and Saturday’s excursion is predicted to continue that tradition.

CCI4*-S dressage continues Friday 1:20 pm Mountain time.

Jerome Broussard Inducted into USEA Hall of Fame

Photo by Atalya Boytner for US Eventing.

With The Event celebrating its 25th year, expectations were high for special evening gatherings. But US Eventing Association CEO Rob Burk raised the roof tonight in announcing Jerome Broussard’s selection to the 2026 United States Eventing Hall of Fame. The news would normally have been announced during the annual meeting in December, but the USEA wanted to make the presentation with the “Rebecca Farm family present,” Burk explained.

“As many of you know, Rebecca ‘Becky’ Broussard was deservedly inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015. Her passion, vision and generosity changed our sport forever and her legacy continues to inspire us all.

“But tonight isn’t about Rebecca,” he continued. “Tonight is about another individual whose quiet leadership, generosity and unwavering commitment have had an equally lasting impact on the future of eventing.

“Jerome Broussard, for decades, you have helped make Rebecca Farm one of the most beloved and important competitions in North America. You have invested in riders, horses, and the future of our sport… not for recognition, but because you believed in giving others opportunities to succeed.”

Burk acknowledged the Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Grants, Jerome’s leadership with the USEA Foundation and “your generosity as a philanthropist and horse owner, and your steadfast commitment to this community” among his many contributions that meet the Hall of Fame’s criteria for those “whose contributions leave our sport stronger than they found it.”

The Event’s organizing entity, the non-profit Montana Equestrian Events, also recognized Jerome Broussard with an induction into the Rebecca Farm Honors. Marked with trees and plaques around the property’s Lake Jerome, Rebecca Farm Honors began in 2021, The Event’s 20th year. It recognizes individuals for their contributions to the creation and ongoing success of The Event. Jerome Broussard joins the Honor’s first inductees — Captain Mark Phillips, Jack LeGoff and Rebecca Chaney Broussard.

In welcoming everyone “to our home” during the Thursday Startbox Party, Broussard gestured toward the property’s growing footprint and assured guests that “Rebecca Farm isn’t going anywhere.”

Education at Every Turn

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Aligning with Rebecca Farm and the Brussard family’s support of eventing’s future, the Event is proud to host the USEA’s Classic Three Day format and support it with a full agenda of educational activities. USEA Grooms Program leaders Max Corcoran and Alyssa Dobrotin led sessions on leg care, cooling strategies and cross-country aftercare, and brought in top horseman to speak about and demonstrate several other topics related to preparing horses for the unique demands of Three Day competition.

Oregon-based amateur Gabrielle Hansen took full advantage of the educational sessions and appreciated the chance to learn more about her horse’s preparation and care. “If you want to be successful in this sport, there needs to be some education happening, whether it’s during the show or something you could sign up for in the off-season,” she commented.

A Novice Three Day competitor, Hansen works full time as an attorney and rides three to five days a week with Trinity Eventing’s Jennifer Wooten-Macouzet. “I did a lot of learning on my own at home to get ready for this, and the educational sessions have taken that to a next level,” she said. “It’s critical information that we don’t get a lot of exposure to anymore.” Along with sessions on leg care and cooling strategies, Hansen benefited from a Novice Three Day course walk with CCI4*-L competitor Gabby Dickerson and a session on navigating the Roads and Tracks phase of the classic format.

Halt Cancer at X

Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Halt Cancer at X is another reason for Rebecca Farm’s renown in and well beyond the equestrian world. Supporting breast cancer research and patients, HCX has raised over $1.1 million since its 2012 inception. Year-round donations are welcome and an auction during The Event is a focal point of the campaign honors the Event’s founder, the late Rebecca Broussard.

This year’s auction items include premiere stabling and RV camp sites for The Event in 2027, a Whitefish Mountain winter vacation and a six-day beach stay in Capitola, California, a set of Dick Francis books and other great packages. Donations and bids on these items can be made here. Auction bidding closes Friday, July 17 at 8:30 p.m. during the Competitors Party and donations are welcome all year.

The Event at Rebecca Farm (USA): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [ClipMyHorse.TV Live Stream] [YouTube Live Stream] [Volunteer]