Top field for The Event

For some of the world's top horses and riders, the road to Kentucky runs through Kalispell.

A field of 475 riders that includes former Olympians, shortlisted World Cup qualifiers and world-class competitors from across the country will enter the eventing spotlight this week at Rebecca Farm in the largest equestrian triathlon in the country.

The Event at Rebecca Farm runs Thursday through Sunday at the 640-acre Broussard Family complex on Springcreek Road, west of U.S. 93.

"I'm looking forward to this being our biggest year yet," Sarah Broussard Kelly said.

The 9th annual equine showcase is made up of dressage, cross country and show jumping at all skill levels.

This is the sixth year Rebecca Farm has been a Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Cup Eventing competition, and this year's edition is one of only 12 stops on the World Cup tour.

This week's top riders will be jockeying for prize amounts up to $50,000 and qualifying points for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in September.

"A lot of these riders are using this as a stepping stone to get to the (World Equestrian Games). We'll see a lot of the same riders and horses this week that will be competing there," Kelly said. "It's a wonderful, wonderful field of competition that we have this year."

Last year, Kelly Prather led from the start in the CIC3* riding Ballinakill Glory, an Irish Sport Horse mare. The pair held on to take the top prize with a final overall score of 55.2. Prather returns this year along with runner-up Jennifer Wooten-Dafoe and third-place Kristi Nunnink.

Five competitors in town this week have already earned bids to the World Games in Kentucky. On the shortlist for Team U.S. are: Buck Davidson riding My Boy Bobby in the CIC3*; Phillip Dutton riding TruLuck in the CC3*; both Karen O'Connor riding Mandiba and Amy Tryon riding Leyland in the Advanced. Hawley Bennett-Awad riding Gin N' Juice qualified for the Canadian team in the CIC3*.

Often considered one of the top destinations in the country for eventing riders behind only Kentucky, Rebecca Farm has earned its premier reputation in the equine world not only because of its high profile field but because of the unique Montana-motif course designed by legend Captain Mark Phillips.

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity for people in the valley to see some really elite horse-rider competition," Kelly said. "I don't mean elitist, I mean elite as in top of the sport."

For more information on The Event, visit www.rebeccafarm.org.

Schedule of Events

The Event at Rebecca Farm

TODAY: 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. The USEA Future Event Horse Series focuses on yearlings, two-year-olds, and three-year-olds.

THURSDAY: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Dressage, all levels. Dressage, National Horse Trial Levels.

FRIDAY: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Dressage, all levels. National Horse Trial Levels Dressage continues. Cross-country phase begins at 8 am. National Horse Trials Novice and Training Levels.

SATURDAY: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Cross-country phase all day. All FEI Levels. National Horse Trial Levels continue.

SUNDAY: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Show jumping phase, all levels. Awards ceremony at end of each division.