Greengard and Smith kickstart The Event at Rebecca Farm
Tommy Greengard and That’s Me Z sit atop the CCI3*S, the first of The Event at Rebecca Farm’s five FEI divisions to conclude the dressage phase. The second half of the 34-horse CCI2*-Long field will be staged Friday, along with dressage for CCI4*-Long and Short, and the CCI3*-Long.
Owned by Greengard and Chocolate Horse Farm’s Andrea Pfeiffer, the 7-year-old Zangershiede jumped into the national spotlight as the USEA’s Young Event Horse 5-Year-Old Champion and has ticked all the advancing boxes since then.
This is Z’s second year at Rebecca Farm, following last year’s Preliminary outing. “If anything, I think he grew a little bit in this atmosphere,” Tommy reported of their 25.2 effort from judges Valerie Pride, Sara Miller Leary and Christel Carlson. “When he was younger, he’d get quite shy in the bigger rings. It’s exciting to have him take ahold of the bridle and show off his great gaits in the ring.
“He’s been doing exactly what we ask in his training at this point,” Tommy continued. “He showed that in the ring.”
Tommy and Z have a big Fall planned. They’ll head to England next week to spend three months riding with New Zealand Olympic eventers Tim and Jonelle Price. Doing well here was part of the plan for a hopeful appearance with Z at the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Championships in France later this year and today’s performance is another waypoint toward that.
The young Northern California professional is excited about the CCI3*-S cross-country tomorrow. “It looks very good and I always love Ian Stark’s courses. It’s a great test for Z and where he’s at right now.”
Having ridden Rebecca Farm’s routes several times, Tommy especially appreciates the efforts to differentiate clearly between the questions asked of Intermediate, CCI3*-Long and Short contenders. “That’s very special to Rebecca Farm. Not every venue is able to do as great a job at that as they do.”
Tamie Smith had been on a likely path to the Paris Olympics until a minor mishap with her top horse, Mai Baum, prevented them from being in peak form for the Team’s mandatory outing. The upside for fans is that she re-routed to Rebecca Farm and the California-based 2023 Land Rover Kentucky 5* champion is making the most of it.
She and Molly Duda’s 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Carlingfords Hes A Clover, earned a 26.2 to sit second after CCI3*-S dressage. Tamie is in third, too, with Julianne Guariglia’s Sumas Tina Turner, an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse, who earned a 27.9.
Tamie is “ecstatic and over the moon” with both new rides. Riding Carlingford for his injured young rider, Tamie said his flatwork has been a challenging and rewarding focus. “He can be quite cheeky and I was thrilled with him today.”
“Tina Turner is a bit of a work in progress,” she explained. “We’ve been working hard to gel with her and to let her be the powerful horse that she is. She’s a chestnut mare and she’s named Tina Turner!”
Tomorrow’s cross-country presents plenty to do, and looks “up to standard and fair,” Tamie said. It starts with the challenge of galloping away from the barns out of the start box, an issue for some of the lower level pairs today.
The cross-country footing is the best Tamie has ever seen it in many years coming to Rebecca Farm. “When you imagine the many miles of tracks they have to tend, it’s no small feat. They have really stepped it up and figured out how to make the ground the best it can be.”
The Hills Are Alive…
Rebecca Farm’s green hills and landscape were alive throughout the day with Novice and Beginner Novice pairs zooming over cross-country.
Fans began arriving and the Shopping Fair was abuzz with its first of four days full of gift items, equestrian apparel and gear and great food.
Speaking to a visiting television reporter, The Event’s organizer Sarah Broussard shared her pleasure in The Event’s wide-ranging impact. The competition was founded by her late mother, Rebecca Broussard, largely to help West Coast-based eventers have a high-quality competition and the opportunity to prepare for further international campaigns.
The Event quickly became a renowned fixture in the equestrian community.
Supporting the local community is important, too, hence the Halt Cancer at X campaign. “We started in in 2012 as a one-time thing, and we raised $20,000,” Sarah explained. “I thought, ‘Wow!” Since then, Halt Cancer At X, administered by Montana Equestrian Events, has passed the $1 million mark in grants and supporting research to halt breast cancer and help those coping with it.
Hot Competition & Weather
Temperatures in the 90s added an extra challenge for horses and riders, but it’s one that most are accustomed to and prepared for. Water stations throughout the property help horses, people and dogs stay hydrated, trees and tents provide shade and a gentle breeze has kept things relatively comfortable.
FEI Associate Veterinarian Catherine Kohn, DVM, is one of several seasoned competition officials on site. She explained that the effect of heat is a combination of the ambient temperature, the wind and the humidity.
Kalispell enjoys low humidity, which is a big help in cooling horses after exercise.
Harnessing the power of “conduction” is key to cooling horses down after exertion. The misting fans that await horses (and riders) near the cross-country finish line are a welcome assist in lowering body temperatures. “The cold water transfers the heat from the horse’s skin to the water,” Dr. Kohn explained. “It accepts the heat and takes it off the horse.”
Most competitors are experienced in preparing, competing and helping their equine partners recover in hot weather. For the less experienced, there are many expert advisers and observers present.
Friday’s Action
CCI2*-L Dressage 8:00 am (second half of the field)
CCI3*-L Dressage 10:50 am
CCI4*-S Dressage 1:30 pm
CCI4*-L Dressage 3:30 pm
The USEA’s Classic Series Three-Day at the Training and Novice levels continue Friday, starting at 9:25 am, and Horse Trials competition continues.
Where to Find…
Competitor Information
Live Scoring Start Box
Volunteer Sign Up
Spectator Information
Live Stream – RideOn Video
Office Photographer – Shannon Brinkman
Press Officer – Kim F Miller
