Dressage for the Park today

One of the Flathead Valley's most breathtaking venues is breathing life into another Kalispell equestrian facility.

Rebecca Farm, which hosts The Event each summer, is sponsoring and lending its facility to Dressage for the Park - a nationally-recognized show benefiting the restoration and maintenance of Ivan Herron Memorial Park - which runs today and Sunday.

Once an annual fundraiser, Dressage for the Park commences its third straight year following a six-year hiatus. This weekend is the first time it has been held at Rebecca Farm.

And while Dressage for the Park won't draw thousands of spectators like The Event does, it is crucial to the survival of Herron Park, whose dressage rings and other resources require plenty of attention.

"This year it's in real need of some major restorations," Dressage for the Park public relations liaison Joy Struble said. "If we can't keep it up, people aren't going to want to keep coming."

Struble said Rebecca Farm saw Herron Park's need, and felt sponsoring Dressage for the Park would help the facility's cause while promoting the sport of dressage. The event has raised about $1,000 each of the last two years - a figure which should increase this weekend.

"Rebecca Farm's facility is kind of becoming one of the most prestigious facilities (in the West)," Struble said, adding that this year's change in venue has attracted more local and national sponsors and vendors than ever before.

Forty-five riders from the Northwest, ranging from Intro through Grand Prix, will perform before about 50-75 spectators per day. The majority of riders are from out of state, including Idaho and Washington, and several should return for The Event next month.

"It's actually a nice way to come in and expose yourself to the facility and be comfortable with the arena and the landscape itself," Struble said.

Dressage for the Park is also ideal for equestrian enthusiasts, who will see different breeds of horses and styles of riding than they may be accustomed to.

"If anything, its a great way to expose yourself to a different discipline you might not be familiar with," Struble said.

Though admission is free, donations are welcomed and raffle tickets, which will be drawn at The Event next month, will be sold to raise funds. All proceeds go to general park upkeep, including grounds, bathrooms and stables.

Dressage highlights a horse's training and obedience to its rider, which is displayed by judged routines. It vaguely resembles figure skating, and is one of three components in eventing, along with cross country and show jumping. In a successful routine, a rider's aids, or commands, will not be noticeable to judges or viewers.

"It's really like dance for a horse," Struble said. "It's really about precision moves, a partnership between a rider and a horse. It's almost like a ballet for horses. It's orchestrated, and it's choreographed precision moves."

Rides begin this morning at 9, running until about 4:20 p.m. Sunday's action starts at 9 a.m., lasting until about 2:30 p.m.