Classic Eventing Nation

Jennie Brannigan takes all in the CCI4*-L with Pascal. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Jennie Brannigan summed up the sentiments surrounding The Event at Rebecca Farm this afternoon. After nailing a wire-to-wire win of the CCI4*-L with Pascal, Brannigan and the handsome grey lingered in Ring 1 long after the victory gallop.

Brannigan gave her winner’s bouquet of wildflowers to a delighted ringside fan, then posed outside the arena for pictures with others. It was the last hot day of a hot week, but clearly she didn’t want to leave.

The 22nd staging of The Event was filled with compliments for the footing, the hospitality, and other tangibles. But Brannigan’s actions best reflected the Rebecca Farm spirit that regularly attracts 600+ horses, their riders and families, hundreds of loyal volunteers and thousands of fans every year.

Presented by the non-profit Montana Equestrian Events, Inc., The Event has also raised over $1 million dollars for breast cancer research and care through the Halt Cancer At X campaign. Begun in 2012, in honor of the competition’s late founder, Rebecca Broussard, the initiative continues to promote awareness and donations as evidenced by ubiquitous pink ribbons, stickers, apparel and gear, including on many horses’ haunches.

Jennie Brannigan Takes Another CCI4*-L Title

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The CCI4*-L champion with Stella Artois in 2019, Brannigan retook the title with the youngest, at 9, of this division’s five horses. They had two-plus rails in hand, but only used 1.6 time penalties over Chris Barnard’s show jumping track made of Rebecca Farm’s famously colorful and artfully-crafted fences. They finished on a 37.8.

Many describe The Event as a litmus test for determining if their 4* horse has 5* potential. “I think he is a really exciting horse for the future,” Brannigan said of Pascal, the Holsteiner she also rode to the CCI3*-L win here last year.

Brannigan seemed equally excited about the success of fellow East Coast-based contenders, many of whom she urged to come west for The Event.

One of those is runner-up Ashley Adams. Debuting at this level, the 11-year-old Westphalian Charly, owned by Adams’ husband Roderick Stuart, had two rails today. Adams described them as pilot problems and perhaps due a little to Charly’s fatigue after running his first Long format cross-country.

“Show jumping is meant to test the horse’s adjustability after cross-country,” Adams noted. “And this course did exactly what it was supposed to do. Charly has a massive stride. Being able to go forward and keep the organization was challenging because some of the distances were more patient. He answered most of the questions really well and maybe it’s me that needs to answer them better!”

Completing standings that stayed the same after cross-country, Colorado-based Dani Sussman and her own Jos Bravio, a 13-year-old Argentine Silla, finished 3rd. Also completing the division were Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy, in 4th, and Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14.

Alexa E. Thompson & Just To Be Clear Stay Atop the CCI4*-S

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Only after Alexa E. Thompson and her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood Just To Be Clear won this division did the Kentucky-based rider allow herself to dwell on it being first FEI win of 53 or 54 outings.

“My groom Hannah Warner and I talked about that a little, but I just forced myself to push that way down in my mind,” she said. Thompson also chose not to think about their two-rail margin, which came in handy after one rail and 3.2 time penalties put their finish at a 58.3.

“Having a margin was nice, but at the end of the day, I just want to do better and do the best for my horse. Today, I let my eye peak down at the liverpool and that’s where our rail came.”

Competing in Europe last summer upped Thompson’s game and an ongoing benefit has been the coaching of French rider Maxime Livio. “He was giving me lessons over Pivio this week, even though we’re eight hours behind him in Paris. He’s an incredible horseman and has helped me a lot.”

Cristina Rennie and Flight of the Arabesque jumped clear with just 2.8 time penalties to move from 3rd to 2nd. And Marc Grandia and the Calexico Syndicate’s GHS Calexico moved from 4th to third, adding only 2 time penalties to their score.

Megan McIver and Elle Lock Up the CCI3*-L

Megan McIver and Elle. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

By finishing on their 33 dressage score, Megan McIver and Tally Chang’s 12-year-old Holsteiner, Elle, kept close challengers at bay and put a bright end to what had been a bad month. The Northern California professional broke her wrist and wasn’t sure she’d be able to compete here. On top of that, another horse she’d planned to bring coliced recently and couldn’t come.

However, the wrist brace came off today — “I couldn’t get my show coat on over it”– and the focus on just one horse helped the pair excel in their toughest phase. McIver determined that suppleness is key to show jumping success with Elle and was able to attain that in their auspicious warm-up. “Today’s round was an amazing way to end what’s been a stressful month!”

The pair surmounted another formidable challenge — having James and Helen Alliston hot on their heels with two 9-year-old horses. James and Cora, a Hanoverian, and Helen and the Bavarian Warmblood, Call Me Rudi, also logged double clear jumping rounds to stay in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.

Tamie Smith and Sumas Tina Turner Top the CCI3*-S

California-based Team USA rider Tamie Smith “only” had five horses here this week, and one of the relatively new rides, Julianne Guariglia’s Sumas Tina Turner, is among her favorites. Smith didn’t care about their two rails of wiggle room.

“I don’t pay attention to my points,” she said. “I always try to end on my dressage score.” Which she did to stay on a 27.9. “She has such good form and jumping technique I feel very confident with her.” After being the only pair to make cross-country time yesterday, Smith feels the chestnut mare has gone from “treating me like a foster parent” to “now she loves me. We had a blast out there.”

Fellow Californian Taren Hoffos moved up another rung to finish 2nd with her mother Carolyn’s homebred Regalla, a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare. They incurred only 1.6 time penalties to move ahead of Tamie Smith and Molly Duda’s Carlingsford Hes A Clover. This pair had what Smith called an “unlucky” rail in another otherwise “beautiful round.”

Stephanie Goodman and Elwenda DP Rule the CCI2*-L

Stephanie Goodman and Elwenda DP. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography. 

Stephanie Goodman and Elwenda DP, owned by Deanna Briggs, retained their day-one lead in the CCI2*-L, adding another international win to their resume. “She’s a great competitor,” said Goodman. The long-time pair plans to contest the American Eventing Championships in Kentucky this year then, “see how we feel.”

As another Rebecca Farm veteran, the Idaho-based trainer praised the venue and organizer’s ability to ensure that “every year certain things get better. It’s always a joy to come. They do such a great job with all three phases and not many events can say that.”

Finishing on their 26.7 dressage mark, Goodman and 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood had James Alliston close behind on two 8-year-old horses. With his second-place ride, Anna Nicholas’ Irish Sport Horse, HMR Rolan, and his 3rd place partner, Carolyn Colson’s big Hanoverian, Renaissance Man, Alliston was fault free to stay on their 27.1 and 29.3 dressage efforts.

With the completion of its five FEI divisions, the “Western wonderland” that is Rebecca Farm began to look more like an actual farm and less like the equestrian fantasy land it becomes every July. At least until next year…

The Event at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, MT) [Website] [Results]

A super day of FEI cross-country saw two leaders retain their places going into show jumping, while the standings in three divisions got shaken and stirred.

The course was the final one to be designed by the legendary Ian Stark. He had high praise for Rebecca Farm on every level and especially for the footing this year. His parting gift to riders and horses was plenty of challenges and options regarding striding and tracks. Ian urges all to ride the horse they have in the moment and to maintain balance. His courses rewarded those who embraced that.

Jennie Brannigan and Pascal Pursue the CCI4*-L Title

Jennie Brannigan and Pascal. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

In the CCI4*-L, Jennie Brannigan and Pascal busted Friday’s first-place tie with an easy-appearing clear jumping round, incurring only 2.4 time penalties. They have 2+ rails in hand taking a 36.2 score into Chris Barnard’s show jumping tomorrow.

The first water obstacle’s Snake, Bounce to Triple Brush at #6, the Water Pipe drop at #9, with water actually flowing over the pipe, and the Moose Bounces at #17 were among many imposing-looking obstacles that appeared to be no issue for the 9-year-old Holsteiner owned by the Pascal Syndicate.

Jennie considers Pascal a Team USA horse for the future. He’s only 9 but is stepping up the levels impressively. A regular traveler here from her East Coast base, Jennie explained, “I wanted to bring him here for his first 4* and I tried my best to put the pedal down.”

She began competing at Rebecca Farm while based in California years ago and has so many friends and supporters here, “it feels like coming home,” she said. Receiving the Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Grant in 2016 was a pivotal point in her international career and one of several reasons Rebecca Farm holds a special place in her heart and on her competition calendar.

As the winners of last year’s CCI3*-L, Jennie and Pascal hope to lock the CCI4*-L on Sunday.

Ashley Adams and Roderick Stuart’s Charly moved from 3rd into 2nd with clear jumping and 10.8 time penalties. With 5 left in the field, they take a 46.2 score into show jumping.

Dani Sussman and her own Jos Bravio are third, on a 67.7, ahead of Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy on a 69.2. Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14 fell out of the first-place tie after dressage, after a refusal and significant time penalties in their first outing at the level.

With $30,000 in prize money, there’s plenty to play for in show jumping. This phase at Rebecca Farm is famously fickle, so anything could happen.

Just to Be Clear & Alexa Thompson take CCI4*-S Lead

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Kentucky-based Alexa Thompson and her groom Hannah Warner volunteered as crossing guards earlier in the week, cheering on all who passed. So maybe there was a little karma playing into their clear cross-country jumping and few enough time penalties, at 12, to bump up one notch into the lead.

“I have to admit, it wasn’t something I expected,” Alexa said of her standing. Her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood’s performance was both pleasing and more predictable. “I went out trying to get both of us as confident and happy and to be as smooth as we could be. Ian (Stark) is a master. The questions the course asked early on got ‘Cardi’ thinking and on my aids, so we could be smoother at the back end of the course.

“The way Ian uses the hills and other terrain provides a good opportunity to ride off of instinct and less by the numbers.” Even a thrown shoe early on the course didn’t faze her horse. “I’m so pleased with how smart, brave and confident he was.”

Alexa and Just to Be Clear have a two-rail lead going into stadium jumping. Rebecca Farm-based Jen Moody and Eye Of the Storm logged a solid cross-country to advance from 4th to 2nd, where they stand on a 59.3 in the hunt for the CCI3*-S’s $6,000 in prize money. Cristina Rennie and her own Flight Of The Arabasque are third.

Marc Grandia and GHS Calexico and Sophie Click and Quidproquo were clear on course, with time penalties that have them sitting 4th and 5th, respectively. The leader after dressage, Rachel Brickman, unfortunately, was eliminated following refusals.

Megan McIver and Elle Sit Atop the CCI3*-L

Megan McIver and Elle. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Megan McIver and Tally Chang’s 12-year-old Holsteiner, Elle, jumped into the lead with a double clear cross-country. The Northern California professional can’t take credit for making the time. “She just naturally carries that pace,” shared Megan. “She’s easy to set up for the fences, she goes in a loose ring snaffle and doesn’t really pull.”

Like several other riders, Megan praised Ian Stark’s course, especially for the questions and answers it evoked in the beginning to help produce a nice middle and end for horse and rider. “Ian’s courses reward you for staying in a nice balance, and that suits a small horse like Elle very well.”

The seasoned pair’s 33 dressage score leaves little wiggle room and they have two tough contenders on their heels.

That’s James Alliston and Cora, the 9-year-old Hanoverian who incurred no faults or time penalties to slide into 2nd, and Helen Alliston and Call Me Rudi, the 9-year-old Bavarian Warmblood. Cora was double clear to stay on her 36.1 dressage, and Rudi added 6 time penalties to slip to third on a 36.7.

Both horses are owned by the couple’s Alliston Equestrian. It’s a thriving business in Northern California and the base for James’ recent top American finish at the CHIO Aachen with Carma, last year’s CCI4*-L champion at Rebecca Farm.

Helen is intensely competitive, but yesterday she said her main goal was to give Rudi a confidence-building ride, and she accomplished that.

Tamie Smith and Sumas Tina Turner Lead the CCI3*-S

Tamie Smith and Sumas Tina Turner. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Tamie Smith is a master at faster without looking like it, and that came into play bringing Sumas Tina Turner into the lead with a double clear cross-country. They were the only pair to make the time in this division and it moved them up from third on their 27.9 dressage score. Owned by one of Tamie’s long-time owners, Julianne Guariglia, the 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse is small, strong, feisty and fast and a rising star.

Tamie and Molly Duda’s Carlingsford Hes a Clover retained their 2nd seed with 6.8 time penalties that put them on a 33.

Taren Hoffos and her mother Caroline’s beautiful homebred mare Regalla leapt from 12th to 3rd. The Southern California professional and the 13-year-old Oldenburg looked confident and smooth, adding just 2.4 time penalties to enter show jumping on a 34.7.

Friday’s leader Tommy Greengard said he might not put pedal to metal today with he and Andrea Pfeiffer’s Thats Me Z, a 7-year-old Zangershiede. They have a big fall ahead with three months of training and competing in Europe, so a solid confidence-building round was the order today. 10.4 time penalties put them in 4th on a 40.8 for tomorrow’s finalé.

Stephanie Goodman and Elwinda DP Stay Atop the CCI2*-L

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Stephanie Goodman and Deanna Briggs’ Elwinda DP were the second pair to maintain their division lead after double clear cross-country to stay on their 26.7 dressage score. However,ut it’s another tightly grouped leaderboard in which one rail could drastically change things up.

The Idaho professional’s goal going into cross-country was to “go as quick as we can, while being mindful of the heat and the length of the course.” Originally a dressage horse, Elwinda is not known for speed, but in every outing she keeps “amazing me,” and today was no exception.

Busy James Alliston is close behind the leader. With Anna Nicholas’ HMR Rolan, he’s 2nd on a 27.1, and he’s third with Carolyn Colson’s Renaissance Man on a 29.3.

Tori Traube and HSH Chase de Muze Top USEA Classic Series Novice Three Day

Northern California professional Tori Traube was thrilled to both compete in and to win this division that incorporates eventing’s traditional endurance day with roads and tracks, steeplechase and cross-country. She and Sheryl Ehrlich’s HSH Chase de Muze led from the start and added only one jumping rail to their dressage score, finishing on a 31.9.

“This was such a good life experience for Chase,” she said of the 5-year-old Irish Sport Horse. “It was great for him to do the jobs and he positively surprised me how well he did in the endurance phases. I think he grew and learned a lot. I especially like the partnership that emerges when we spend so much time together out there on our own. There were times when he was asking me, ‘Do we have to keep going?’ But he trusted me and it helped us have a good bond.”

It was also “a lot of fun and a lot of work,” Tori said.

Sara Sellmer and Samantha Quinn’s Curious George were second on a 36.7 and Michaela Aulicino and her own Cecelia were third with a 39.9.

Erin Grandia and Riptide Rio Win USEA Classic Series Training Three Day

Erin Grandia and Adriane Jimenez’ Riptide Rio started the multi-phase competition with a 21.1 dressage score and they added just .4 penalties in the D endurance phase for a wire-to-wire win with the 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse.

Partners with her husband Marc Grandia in Full Gallop Eventing in Washington, Erin said she loves the Classic 3Day format. She has coached several students through it but hasn’t contested one herself in many years.

“It’s such a great education and way to get horses confident for the future,” Erin said. “It teaches horses and riders how to gallop, to jump out of stride and to dig in when you’re a little tired.”

Tamie Smith and the 6-year-old Argentine Sport Horse Solaguayre Cantata, owned by Julianne Guariglia, were reserve champs on a 23.3. Emma Slocum and Jaime Slocum’s Patito, an 11-year-old Irish Draught Sport Horse, finished third on 29.6.

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Sunday’s FEI Schedule

CCI2*-L – 9:30 am

CCI3*-S – 11:45 am

CCI3*-L – 12:45 pm

CCI4*-S – 2:00 pm

CCI4*-L – 2:35 pm

The Event at Rebecca Farm: [Website] [Entries] [Competitor Information] [Volunteer] [Halt Cancer at X] [Ride On Video Live Stream] [H&C Live Stream] [Live Stream Schedule] [Spectator Information]

Jennie Brannigan and Pascal. Photo by Marie Cobb for Shannon Brinkman Photography.

FEI dressage wrapped up on Friday, leaving most of the standings tight at the top. In fact, there’s a tie atop the CCI4*-L between two pairs with many similarities. Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14 and Jennie Brannigan and Pascal share the lead on a 33.8. Both have been bringing these horses along for several years and both horses are debuting at this level.

Karen O’Neal and Annika Asling’s 10-year-old Westphalian showed off their progress since competing Beginner Novice here in 2018. The Washington-based rider was thrilled with Clooney’s shoulder-in and half-passes and with the flying changes that have been a struggle. Despite Clooney’s familiarity with the venue, the atmosphere in Ring 1 made him “a little spooky, but still he listened really well to me.”

Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14. Photo by Marie Cobb for Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The judges were Helen Brettell, Robyn Fisher and Gretchen Butts, who also judged Friday’s CCI4*-S and CCI3*-L.

Jennie Brannigan and Pascal, a 9-year-old Holsteiner owned by the Pascal Syndicate, were last year’s CCI3*-L winners, and Jennie acknowledged feeling a little extra umph to take this next title. Her favorite part of Friday’s test was the manifestation of many years work in developing Pascal.

Above all, she is a huge advocate for Rebecca Farm, making the trip annually from her East Coast base and encouraging others to do so.

Rebecca Farm first-timer Ashley Adams, of Virginia, and Roderick Stuart’s Charly earned a 35.4 to sit third.

A Course Walk To Remember

Friday ended with a special course walk led by renowned and retiring course designer, Ian Stark. In a special event honoring horse owners, the USEF invited guests to tour the course by golf cart and enjoy the legend’s insights. He was the loudest of many to praise the ground and the year-round efforts that have gone into making the tracks “the best ever.”

As he discussed key points on the 3* and 4* courses for Saturday, Ian shared his frequent advice to forget about counting strides in favor of riding what comes up in the moment. “Horses love to know where they’re going,” he stressed. “So show them that. I don’t mind causing the riders a sleepless night, so long as the horses can understand what the question is.”

Brickman and Finally DG lead CCI4*-S

Rachel Brickman and Finally DG. Photo by Marie Cobb for Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Several of the 8 horses in this division are new to the level, and the atmosphere and new questions asked played their part in the scores.

Rachel Brickman and Finally DG are among the newbies as a pair, and their 35.1 put them into the lead.

The Seattle area resident and the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood are Rebecca Farm regulars over the last several years, so the big atmosphere was not an issue. “While there’s always room for improvement, he was excellent today,” said Rachel of the horse she co-owns with friend and The Event organizer Sarah Broussard.

“The course looks great and I am excited to get out there,” Rachel said of Saturday’s cross-country. She plans to tackle it one fence at a time. “Him being new to this level, I’m going to ride the horse I have. He’s an animal that shows up and tries to do the things you ask him to do.”

On the recommendation of several friends, Kentucky-based Alexa Thompson loaded Just To Be Clear into the truck and hauled across country for The Event. Her second place standing, on a 39.1, was icing on a cake she already felt good about upon arrival.

“You could call my horse a ‘try-harder’,” Alexa said of her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood. “He always wants to do right, and sometimes too badly, but today I felt like he was with me the whole test. I took my leg away going into the walk, and that was our only bobble.”

Rebecca Farm has been on the young professional’s radar a long time. Over the years, the Broussard family has given over $200,000 in Travel Grants to riders and Alexa was one of several to gratefully receive one this year. “With that, the stars finally aligned for us to make the trip.”

Another Alliston Takes Spotlight with CCI3*-L Lead

Helen Alliston and Call Me Rudi. Photo by Marie Cobb for Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Three-time Rebecca Farm 4*-L champion James Alliston has dominated the limelight lately, but it was his better half, Helen, spotlit in the CCI3*-L dressage. She and Call Me Rudi, a 9-year-old Bavarian Warmblood owned by Alliston Equestrian, were elegant, on point and powerful to lead the 10-horse field with a 30.7.

It was the latest of a few outings in which Rudi has continually upped his game, reported the Northern California-based professional. “He’s always been very willing, and he has a good mind. It’s been a matter of getting him stronger. This and his last show were the first time that he’s done really correct canter-to-walk transitions. Plus, he’s never been in Arena 1 before. It has a lot of atmosphere and, even with his good mind, it was really something for him to stay that focused.”

Rudi is equally good on cross-country, but tomorrow’s track will test his courage, especially jumping into big waters. “I’m going to have to give him a very good ride,” Helen said. “He’s only been here once – in Novice. He’s green for this, but his footwork is excellent, he’s very smart and he has a lot of self-preservation instinct.” Access to on-site conditioning hills at the Alliston’s home base has Rudi fighting fit for the next task.

Ashley Adams and her own 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood Quicksilver Gräns stand in 2nd with a 31.9. Receiving one of the Broussard family’s “Little Becky” Grants early this year helped them gain mileage needed to make a solid move up to the 3* level this spring.

Based in Virginia, Ashley was also grateful for tips from another Broussard grant recipient, Tamie Smith. “She suggested some tweaks that really agreed with my horse,” Ashley said. “He’s a quirky horse, but also workmanlike and he does not want to make a mistake. He’s green at the level, and there’s a lot more brilliance in there. So, it’s a matter of getting him stronger and more confident.”

Cross-country should be a great next step in that process. “Ian’s courses lend themselves to the horse getting better and better as we go along.”

Marc Grandia and his longtime partner Campari FFF sit third on a 32.5. The 14-year-old Holsteiner is owned by Team Rebecca.

Stephanie Goodman and Elwinda Hold CCI2*-L Lead

Stephanie Goodman and Deanna Briggs’ Elwinda DP topped the first half of the 34-horse division that concluded yesterday and their 26.7 held when the rest of the class completed this morning.

“She is getting better and better,” Stephanie said of the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare with whom she’s been partnered for three years. “We left a few points on the table, but she was excellent. She’s braver and is going for it more.

“I got her three years ago as a dressage horse,” continued the Idaho-based professional. “She just keeps amazing me.”

Stephanie and Elwinda don’t have much wiggle room. James Alliston and HMR Rolan, owned by Anna Nicolas, are 2nd on a 27.1. Todd Trewin and Tracey Trewin’s Cooley High Society are 3rd with a 29.1 and the rest of the top 10 is tightly bunched.

Saturday’s FEI Cross-Country

CCI3*-S – 8:00 am

CCI3*-L – 9:40 am

CCI4*-L – 10:40 am

CCI4*-S – 11:25 am

CCI2*-L – 12:25 pm

The USEA’s Classic Series Three-Day at Training and Novice conclude with show jumping finales on Saturday.

The Event at Rebecca Farm: [Website] [Entries] [Competitor Information] [Volunteer] [Halt Cancer at X] [Ride On Video Live Stream] [H&C Live Stream] [Live Stream Schedule] [Spectator Information]