World Class Equestrian Triathlon at Rebecca Farm July 23-26 2009
Rebecca Farm Chosen as the Only World Cup Qualifier in the U.S. for 2009Kalispell, MT -- More than 450 competitors, 300 volunteers, and 15,000 spectators will converge on The Event at Rebecca Farm July 23-26, 2009 for the only World CupTM Qualifying Event in the nation and one of nine in the world. Set on 640 acres in a vast glacial valley surrounded by mountain peaks amidst ponds, waterfalls and a creek, Rebecca Farm is widely considered one of the premiere equestrian destinations in the nation and The Event is the biggest of its kind in the United States.
"The City of Kalispell and surrounding Flathead Valley towns look forward to this major attraction each summer," said Pamela B. Kennedy, Mayor of Kalispell. "The economic revenue produced for our local businesses is incredible and our citizens appreciate welcoming an annual competition of this caliber."
"The winner of the World Cup Qualifier will earn more points than in past events as an Olympic level qualifier," said Rebecca Broussard, organizer of the Event. "This rule change combined with our contract as the only World Cup Qualifier in the U.S. should draw east coast riders who will be vying for their chance to make it to the Final in Strzegom, Poland and are also looking ahead to the Olympics and the Pan Am Games."
The sport of Eventing is best described as an equestrian triathlon with historic ties meant to replicate what a horse and rider would go through in the cavalry. Over four days, Montana Equestrian Events, Inc. will host equestrian competitions in the disciplines of Dressage, Cross Country, and Show Jumping for riders of all ability levels.
Dressage is designed to test obedience, submissiveness, and training. Cross-country tests endurance with horses running long distances at high rates of speed. It also tests courage, boldness, confidence and stamina, because the horse must obey commands from the rider. Show jumping examines how well the horse obeys while jumping over high obstacles and turning when the rider commands it.
The horse and rider compete as a partnership to complete the three phases as a team with their cumulative performance determining their final standing. More than $60,000 will be awarded in prize money and over $35,000 in trophies and tack awards will be presented in all divisions. Many of the returning officials and riders were part of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
One of the leading designers in the world for equestrian courses, Captain Mark Phillips has again returned to Rebecca Farm and redesigned the 8 cross-country courses that include three water complexes. Captain Phillips has been the United States Equestrian Team Coach since 1993 and led the US Eventing Team to the Summer Olympics in Beijing last year.
"I've never seen the grass as good as it is now," said Phillips. "This course is equal to any you will find in the world. You don't get 450 horses turning up at a venue if something special isn't going on. Competitors vote with their feet."
Richard Jeffery, the Eventing Show Jumping Course Advisor to the United States Equestrian Federation and record breaking, eight-time USEF Show Jumping Course Designer of the Year, is again the Show Jumping Course Designer for The Event. Jeffery was also the designer at the Summer Olympics and has been appointed the Eventing Show Jumping Course Designer for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
The Event is free to spectators and visitors may walk the cross-country course along flagged alleys or watch the overall course from an elevated large grassy area with a great vantage point. A trade fair with arts and crafts is also offered throughout The Event with a wide range of food concessions. To access Rebecca Farm, from the junction of Hwys. 93 & 2, travel 2 miles north on Hwy 93 to West Reserve Drive and go west 2 miles to Spring Creek Road, then south on Spring Creek. The Event entrance is 3/4 mile on the right.
July 21-22, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Captain Mark Phillips will conduct Eventing High Performance training sessions for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for A-List, B-List, and Developing Riders. The sessions are open to the public and auditors are welcome.
July 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The USEA Spalding Labs Young Event Horse Series gives owners and breeders the opportunity to showcase the potential of their four- and five-year-old horses.
July 23, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dressage, National Horse Trial Levels.
July 24, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
National Horse Trial Levels continue. All FEI Levels. Cross-Country phase begins at 8 am. National Horse Trials Novice and Training Levels.
July 25, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cross-Country phase all day. National Horse Trial Levels continue. All FEI Levels.
July 26, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Show Jumping phase, all levels. Awards ceremony at end of each division.
The main sponsor of The Event, HSBC is headquartered in London and is one of the largest banking and financial services organizations in the world. The Event operates under the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules. For more information on The Event, visit www.rebeccafarm.org. For additional resources, please visit the Fédération Equestre Internationale website at www.fei.org or the United States Eventing Association website at www.useventing.com.
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