Rebecca Farm Sets New Record for Competitors at Nation's Largest Equestrian Triathlon
The Event at Rebecca Farm Kicks off July 25-28; Young and Future Event Horse Series July 24
KALISPELL, MONT. (July 15, 2013) -- Organizers at Rebecca Farm are putting their skills to the test after accepting more than 600 entries to the The Event, the largest equestrian triathlon in the nation that gets underway July 25-28.
"There's no doubt that this will be the biggest Event ever," said Sarah Broussard, event organizer. "With 720 entries, we knew we needed to make room for the most competitors we have ever hosted. This year, 560 competitors will compete in the Horse Trials and 45 young and future event horses will also be featured. By adjusting the schedule we will maximize our capacity and with cancellations, it is likely that we will be able to accommodate everyone who wants to come."
Changes in the schedule include running Novice cross-country on Thursday and additional show jumping competitions on Saturday. Organizers are bringing in additional temporary stables and looking at water availability and other infrastructure needs, as a small town literally sprouts up on the 640 acre West Valley farm. 
"People want to be here," added Broussard. "And we want them to be able to come. I thought that we were as big as we were going to be and was shocked when I saw that we had 200 entries on the wait list. I am really excited that by adjusting the schedule and getting help from the competitors and community to volunteer, we now have the wait list down to 15."
In the first 11 years of competition, the largest number of competitors has been 480. The Event features competition in dressage, cross-country, and show jumping, with horses and riders of all ages and levels from across the nation. The Event also features The Classic, or long-format, which incorporates roads and tracks, steeplechase, and cross-country.
Dressage tests obedience and the harmony between horse and rider. Cross-country demands endurance, courage, boldness, confidence, and stamina with horses running long distances at high rates of speed on a timed course with a variety of jumps and other challenges. Show jumping examines precision, agility, and technique while jumping over high obstacles in an arena.
This year, competitors at Rebecca Farm will now be riding atop Premier Equestrian's "Master's Blend" footing in all the arenas. The special blend gives exceptional stabilization along with maximum shock absorption, providing cushion and rebound for the horses, while offering high stability by increasing traction and shear strength.
The cross-country course was re-built last summer by Ian Stark, one of the leading course designers in the world. The sinuous, 4-mile course features over 150 obstacles and four water complexes. Stark has won multiple Olympic medals and was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
Admission for spectators is free and Rebecca Farm also features an ever-growing trade fair tent and a variety of concessions that will be open all four days. A $5 parking donation is requested to support "Halt Cancer at X"-- an initiative to raise money for breast cancer research in memory of The Event's founder, Rebecca Broussard. Last year's inaugural campaign raised $65,000 for both local and national organizations.
Prior to The Event on July 24, the USEA Young and Future Event Horse Series will be featured. The Future Event Horse series judges the potential that yearlings, two-year-olds, and three-year-olds have to become successful event horses. The Young Event Horse series gives owners and breeders the opportunity to showcase the potential of their four- and five-year-old horses.
"There are so many people who are integral to the success of Rebecca Farm," said Sarah Broussard. "I am so thankful to the competitors, spectators, volunteers, judges, vendors, sponsors, and all the hard workers who have made our dream come true."
To access Rebecca Farm, from the junction of Highways 93 & 2, travel 2 miles north on Highway 93 to West Reserve Drive and go west 2 miles to Springcreek Road, then south on Springcreek. The entrance is 3/4 mile on the right.
For more information, visit www.RebeccaFarm.org. Media photography can be accessed at www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccafarm.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Wednesday, July 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
USEA Young and Future Event Horse Series.
Thursday, July 25, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dressage, all FEI levels. Dressage, National Horse Trial levels. Novice cross-country.
Friday, July 26, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dressage, all FEI Levels. National Horse Trial levels dressage continues. Cross-country phase for Training, Training 3-Day, Novice 3-Day.
Saturday, July 27, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cross-Country phase all day. All FEI levels. National Horse Trial Levels continue. Show jumping for Training 3-Day, Novice, Novice 3-Day.
Sunday, July 28, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Show Jumping phase, all remaining levels. Awards ceremony at end of each division.
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Media contact: Brian Schott, press@rebeccafarm.org, (406) 261-6190
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