THE EVENT AT REBECCA FARM REFLECTS ON 30 YEARS OF EVENTING

Event to be held July 24-28, 2019

KALISPELL, Montana (June 21, 2019) –After 30 years, the Flathead Valley has much to celebrate with the upcoming 2019 Event at Rebecca Farm. 

It was 30 years ago at this time, in 1989, that the United States Combined Training Association recognized the Herron Park Horse Trials, now known around the world as The Event at Rebecca Farm. After 11 years of informal competitions, eventing officially became sanctioned in the Flathead Valley in 2000. 

Behind this momentum was the Flathead Valley’s Rebecca Broussard, who is the main influencer of eventing’s success in the Flathead Valley. After becoming an officially sanctioned eventing competition, the Herron Park Horse Trials required a new and expanded location in 2001. The Broussard family purchased land and began constructing a variety of courses. In 2002, The Event at Rebecca Farm kicked off with record numbers. Continued growth has established The Event to be known internationally as a leading equestrian triathlon.

“The Herron Park Horse Trials planted a seed in the community that, in thirty years, has developed into one of the finest equestrian events in the nation,” Sarah Broussard, event organizer and daughter of Rebecca Broussard, said.

The annual competition draws in an estimated 20,000 attendees and upwards of 650 competitors, generating approximately $5.5 million for the local economy. 

The 2019 Event at Rebecca Farm is scheduled for July 24-28. As always, international and national competitors will showcase their dressage, cross-country, and show jumping skills. For the third year, The Event proudly hosts the North American Youth Championships in which teams of elite riders aged 14 to 21 from different regions of North America compete.  

“So much of this weekend is meant to provide a place for communities to connect,” said Broussard, “I think that’s why The Event is so successful. Rebecca Farm brings international and national eventing talent together in one place, the Flathead Valley, for both competitors and spectators to enjoy.”

Not forgetting spectators, there is plenty to enjoy at the 2019 Event at Rebecca Farm from the large trade show, family activities and the Flathead Valley’s best food vendors. 

The family-friendly “Kid Zone,” will feature face painting, pony rides, mini golf and more at no charge. Children will also have the opportunity to participate in the PonyUp! experience, which is a free horsemanship 101 class. PonyUp! classes are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. More information about the free Kid Zone and PonyUp! is available at https://www.rebeccafarm.org/visitors-guide/#kids.

The Event itself is also free, though voluntary $10 one-day parking donations or $25 weeklong parking donations are encouraged. The proceeds of the donations will help fund Halt Cancer at X, Rebecca Farm’s non-profit that benefits both local breast cancer support services and national breast cancer research.

Keeping with last year’s goal, The Event at Rebecca Farm will continue to place an emphasis on sustainability. Promoters urge attendees to bring reusable water bottles to The Event. Water-bottle filling stations will be located in easily accessible locations.

MORE ABOUT THE EVENT AT REBECCA FARM

The Event at Rebecca Farm presented by Montana Equestrian Events is held every July in Kalispell, MT. One of the largest equestrian triathlons in the United States, The Event features a course designed by Olympian Ian Stark and is also considered to have some of the world’s finest competition scenery. Each year it draws tens of thousands of spectators and hundreds of riders of all levels, from beginners to Olympians. 

The address of Rebecca Farm is 1010 West Spring Creek Rd, Kalispell, MT 59901. To get to Rebecca Farm, from the junction of U.S. Highways 93 and 2, drive two miles north on Highway 93 to Reserve Loop and turn left to head west for two miles, then travel south on W. Springcreek Rd. The entrance is three-quarters of a mile on the right.

For more information, visit www.rebeccafarm.org.

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