James Alliston and Karma. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Since 2006, the Broussard Family Charitable Trust has supported the sport of eventing in the U.S. and the careers of countless U.S. event riders through multiple grants including the Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Grant (2011), Le Samurai Fund (2008), Cindy Burge Memorial ECP Grant (2006), Broussard Family Charitable Trust Going Forward Grants (2020), and the Rebecca Farm Travel Grant (2011). The USEA Foundation is excited to share that the Broussard Family Charitable Trust continues to remain committed to its support of these grants and has announced the following enhancements for 2025.
“Fifteen years ago I was easily convinced to fund the Developing Rider Grant,” reflected Jerome Broussard, Chairman of the Broussard Family Charitable Trust. “The structure and focus have evolved, and I am more certain today than ever that the grant deserves continued funding. Please come to the event at Rebecca Farm and interview for the grant. You will definitely find it worthwhile and perhaps rewarding.”
Over the years, the Broussard Family Charitable Trust has continued to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of the athletes competing in today’s world. The Committee that supports the Trust is comprised of knowledgeable horse people, past USEA Presidents, and active riders. Both the International and National Developing Rider Grants are unique from other funding opportunities made available to riders in the fact that they are not based solely on competition records and performance, they are open to both amateur and professional riders, are not age-based, and are structured around an interview process which allows members of the Committee to truly get to know each applicant on a deeper level.
“The USEA Foundation is so pleased to be able to partner with Jerome Broussard and the Broussard Family Charitable Trust to not only continue but expand the breadth of these grants that have proven to be pivotal points in the careers of so many of today’s top riders,” said USEA Foundation Chair Hilary Miskoe.
Rebecca Farm Travel Grants
This Travel Grant is specifically designed to assist those competitors in the three-star and four-star FEI divisions at The Event at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, Montana) who plan to apply for the Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant. The funds are to offset the transportation expenses to the event and will be distributed by the USEA Foundation through the generous support of The Broussard Family Charitable Foundation in honor of Rebecca Chaney Broussard. In the past, these grants have generally been based on mileage.
The Broussard Family Charitable Trust has increased the reimbursed mileage rate for Rebecca Farm Travel Grant recipients as follows:
- $2.00 a mile traveled from home to reach the event for four-star recipients
- $1.00 a mile traveled from home to reach the event for three-star recipients
- 2025 Applications will be due June 1, with recipients receiving notification of their awards by June 15. The application and its relevant guidelines may be found here.
Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Grants Also Increasing
The Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Grants are designed to assist riders of any age, whether they are professionals or amateurs and encourage the education and development of event riders at the highest level of the sport. These grants are awarded to offset some of the travel and training expenses in the pursuit of achieving the qualities of an international rider. These grants are not available to any rider who has already achieved the honor of representing the United States at the Pan American Games, Olympics, or World Equestrian Games.
New for 2025, the Rebecca Broussard National Developing Rider Grant (also known as the “Little Becky”) will be increased to $15,000 for the educational development of an international quality rider based on competition in eventing on the national stage. The recipient of the grant will be selected by the grant committee based on performance record, interview, and involvement with the eventing community. The grant committee reserves the right to alter funding amounts based on their deliberations.
The Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant (also known as the “Big Becky”) will also continue awarding $50,000 for the educational development of an international quality rider based on competition in eventing on the global stage. The recipient of the grant will be selected by the grant committee based on performance record, interview, and involvement with the eventing community. The grant committee reserves the right to alter funding amounts based on their deliberations.
Interviewees for both the International and national grants need not be entered to compete at Rebecca Farm, though always encouraged. There is, however, an expectation of volunteerism at the event for those interviewing but not competing.
The Road to LA2028 Goes Through Rebecca Farm
As the dates of The Event at Rebecca Farm (July 16-20 for this calendar year) line up almost exactly with the dates of the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028, the Event at Rebecca Farm offers a perfect championship atmosphere for high-performance athletes who aspire to compete in LA in three years. Offering the experience of competing in the western United States at the same time of year as the Games, on immaculately prepared surfaces, including irrigated cross-country tracks. For many, the road to LA can start at Rebecca Farm, not only competitively, but also for those interested in receiving developmental grant funding that will assist them with their goals in the lead-up to team selection.
