Classic Eventing Nation

2023 Rebecca Farm CCI4*-L winners James Alliston and Karma. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Often described as “Disneyland for equestrians,” The Event at Rebecca Farm, presented by non-profit Montana Equestrian Events, Inc., gets underway Wednesday, July 17 with contenders coming from both coasts and all points in between.

The Event runs July 17-21 at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana and features eventing competition up to CCI4*-L, plus Training and Novice Three-Day divisions. Spectators are welcome at no charge, volunteers are greatly appreciated and a vibrant vendor area provides shopping opportunities galore.

Big Challenges & Atmosphere

James Alliston and Karma. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Three-time CCI4*-L winner James Alliston agrees with the Disneyland description in general but clarifies that there’s nothing Mickey Mousey about The Event’s competitive aspects.

“It’s one of the best 4*-Ls around,” says James, fresh from helping Team USA to silver at the Aachen SAP-Cup CCIO4*-S with Karma, his partner in topping The Event’s 4*-L last year.

Rebecca Farm is set on the green grass of Flathead Valley, the peaks of Glacier National Park and Whitefish and Blacktail mountains standing sentry in the distance.

On course, however, it’s the obstacles that demand horse and rider’s attention. “It’s a great class to see if you have a 4* horse capable of going onto the 5* level,” James notes. “The course is challenging, yet fair, as you would expect from designer Ian Stark. The jumps are big, with a lot of big jumps going into the water.” Each obstacle is a work of art, he adds. “They are incredibly constructed, painted and decorated at all levels.”

There’s no let-up in the atmosphere for the stadium jumping finalés. The Event regularly draws 5,000 fans, many of them filling the grassy banks surrounding the show jumping stage. “It’s a big, impressive atmosphere. It’s nice to ride in front of a lot of people, and you need a horse that show jumps well.”

James and his wife and professional partner Helen Alliston campaign Cora and Call Me Rudi, respectively, in the CCI3*-L this year. Plus other horses and several clients in various divisions.

The Event at Rebecca Farm started in 2002 and quickly became a fixture for North American eventers and fans. Along with elite level eventing action, the spectacular settting, buzzy vendor area and the weekend Kid Zone make The Event a Mecca for new and existing horse sport fans everywhere.

“We are really excited to have everybody back,” says event organizer Sarah Broussard. “We’ve made a few changes to give some of our riders a new experience – new paths for the roads and tracks and using some parts of the Farm that haven’t been used before.

“The flags are up, the canola flowers are in bloom and the countdown has begun!”

Broad Impact

USEA CEO Robert Burk in the Halt Cancer at X Challenge. Photo by Shannon Brinkman, official photographer of The Event at Rebecca Farm.

The Event’s impact goes beyond the horse world with Halt Cancer at X. The charitable initiative was launched in 2012 by the Event’s organizer Sarah Broussard in honor of her late mother, Rebecca Broussard, who founded the competition in 2002.

Through Halt Cancer at X, Montana Equestrian Events has so far provided more than $1 million in grant funds to innovative breast cancer research projects and to local non-profits that offer financial and wellness services to breast cancer patients. Those interested in making donations can do so here.

The Event also makes a year-round impact on equestrian sport with generous grant programs.

The Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Grants began in 2011. They are administered by the US Eventing Association in honor of Rebecca “Becky” Broussard’s legacy of commitment to assisting and encouraging riders pursuing the sport’s highest levels.

The Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant, aka the “Big Becky,” awards $50,000 to an international quality rider and the “Little Becky” National Developing Rider Grant awards $10,000 to riders on a similar path.

The Rebecca Farm Travel Grant provides funds to defray the costs of traveling to The Event.

A Legacy of Support

Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Texas-based Rebecca Brown is a past Little Becky Grant recipient and one of this year’s several Travel Grant recipients.

“I am so grateful to the Broussard family and so happy to be going to an event supported by a family that gives so much back to the sport and in the unique way of targeting developing riders,” she says. That ranks high on the Texas professional’s long list of reasons for hauling horses 1,800 miles to Montana.

“It’s definitely one of the top 5 competitions in the United States,” asserts Rebecca, who rides Fernhill Quite Frankly in the CCI3*-S. “Every level is a good challenge. If you are hoping to go on in the sport, and to produce horses, like I am, it’s a great atmosphere to compete in.”

This sentiment is shared by eventers at all levels. Rebecca will also be hauling a horse owned by an amateur client who set The Event’s Beginner Novice division as this year’s big goal.

“It’s definitively worth the drive,” Rebecca concludes. And, with truck diesel likely to run up a $2,000 tab for the round-trip from Texas, this year’s Travel Grant eases some of the financial pressure on the self-supported rider.

Volunteers Welcome

Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Given the multiple levels of competition and their multiple phases, The Event relies on a large number of volunteers to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for all.

There is a perfect post for most ages and abilities and roles range from assisting in the arenas or on the cross-country course, to spectator parking, hospitality, food services and pedestrian crossings. Volunteering at The Event is famously fun and no experience is required for most positions.

Volunteering info and sign-ups can be found here.

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