California Riding Magazine • September, 2008

Show Report
The Event at Rebecca Farm
Tory Smith tops her trainer and
fills her Gold Cup with points.

Californians dominated “The Event” at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, MT, July 24-27. In the biggest win of her career, Tory Smith of Camarillo took top honors in the CIC***, which also served as the final of three U.S. qualifiers for the World Cup Eventing Final. Riding Bantry Bay V, Tory beat out her trainer, Debbie Rosen, a top level competitor and coach whose Wild Ride Eventers is based at the new El Sueno Equestrian Center in Ventura County’s Somis. With The Alchemist, Debbie came in a very respectable second to her student in the World Cup qualifier. Chelan Kozak of British Columbia finished third and Barbara Crabo, of Scottsdale, AZ, was fourth.



A field of eight started in the FEI World Cup™ Qualifier division at Rebecca Farm but only four completed all three days. The two-day leader Jolie Sexson of Martinez withdrew her horse, Killian O’Connor, as a precautionary measure. Josh Barnacle and Florestan du Seri stood third after two days, but also withdrew. Hawley Bennett, riding Splendorofthesun, was eliminated on cross-country and Nicholas Cwick and Asterix were eliminated in show jumping.

Tory’s finish put her in a pack of eight riders tied for ninth place in the American World Cup standings. The United States is entitled to send six pairs to the Finals, which take place Sept. 18-20 in France. But even if a slot opened up for Tory, the 21-year-old is not targeting the Finals. This is Bantry Bay’s first year of Advanced Level and Tory happily has her sights set on the Fair Hill International CCI in October. At that Maryland event she’ll again count Debbie and The Alchemist as her friendly competitors.

Vacation Destination

High gas prices did not dampen participation at Rebecca Farm, a much-loved eventing venue. Entries in the National Horse Trials divisions hit 261 and there were 139 entries in the FEI levels. Nearly 90 percent of the competitors were from out of state. Many came early and stayed late to take in the recreational opportunities that abound in the beautiful Flathead Valley and surrounding areas. “This is our favorite event. We make this our family vacation,” said a competitor from Alberta, Canada. “We have been here for a week already and we plan to stay on for another and enjoy the crystal clear lakes and wonderful hospitality in the area.”

The 2008 Event at Rebecca Farm was also host to the ninth of 13 Adequan/USEA Gold Cup competitions, a series that concludes on Sept. 26-28 at Twin Rivers Horse Trials in Paso Robles. The Series is based on a ranking system based on placing/entries. Tory and her Irish Sporthorse picked up points that take them to third in the Gold Cup National rankings, with Debbie right behind her in the Advanced standings.

The Event’s impressive caliber of officials were pleased with the competition and the facility. Organizers and officials are proud to have had an event with no serious injury to either rider or horse. “This was a good day of eventing,” Eric Smiley, the FEI Ground Jury President, beamed after cross country day. “Rebecca Farm, for our entire membership coast to coast, is one of our premiere events. The organizers definitely set the bar for the standard in producing this type of organization,” said Gretchen Butts, The Event’s FEI Technical Delegate, whose next task was officiating at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. “Nothing is left to an unfinished thought. Every detail is considered. Riders from the East Coast, West, North and South all want to come to Rebecca Farm.”

Over $60,400 was awarded in prize money and over $35,000 in trophies and tack awards were presented to top places in all divisions. The 2009 Event at Rebecca Farm promises to be even more exciting as Rebecca Farm continues the development of The Event as a premiere international equestrian destination. Next year’s dates are July 23-26.

For complete results and additional information, visit www.rebeccafarm.org.