Kalispell, Mont. - The Adequan North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North CCIJ2*-L competition kicked off with a strong showing in the dressage ring from Area VI's Charlotte Babbitt. She achieved a score of 24.0 with her own Dutch Warmblood, 2 A.M. Area VIII's Elizabeth Henry aboard Charlotte La Bouff is tied for second with Area VI's Meg Pellegrini riding her own RF Eloquence on a score of 24.9. Currently in fourth place, with a score of 27.0, is Benjamin Noonan for Area VI on his own Keep Kitty.

In team competition, the Area VI team, comprised of Charlotte Babbit (2 A.M.), Meg Pellegrini (RF Eloquence), Taylor McFall (High Times), and Savannah Gwin (Glock Pullman), commanded a solid lead after dressage in the CCIJ2*-L division. With a team total of 76.2, the Area VI team finished more than 11 points ahead of the Area VII team, on a score of 87.8. CCIY3*-S and CCIJ2*-L take to the cross country course tomorrow starting at 9 am. and 3:50 p.m., respectively.

Babbit is looking forward to tomorrow's challenge with anticipation, expressing full confidence in her mount. "There's no other horse I've ever ridden like that [2 A.M.] on cross country. You point him at something and he's just like, 'Yep, got it.'"

According to Lichtens' teammate, Megan Loughnane, even the horses step up their game for NAYC, "[My horse] was super, a lot more energy than he usually has in the ring. He felt amazing; I am really happy." Loughnane secured second place individually on her horse Linford with a score of 29.4.

Sami Crandell, the final rider on this Area I/II team, shares her teammates' enthusiasm after the first day of competition. Having advanced to the 3* level this year, she is looking forward to competing Saturday on cross country. "It's beautiful. The course is awesome," described Crandell. "I am excited to run it."

CCI4*-L Division

For Lauren Billys, a start on the road to Olympic gold could literally be defined by her performance this weekend at The 2019 Event at Rebecca Farm.Billys, who represented Puerto Rico in 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, is looking to return to the big show at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics aboard her mount, Castle Larchfield Purdy, a 17-year-oldIrish Sport Horse, owned by Purdy Syndicate LLC.

Billys rode to first place on the CCI4*- L leader board with a dressage test of 31.0; she carries the lead into tomorrow's cross country competition. Although she makes it look easy, Billys shares that for she and Castle Larchfield Purdy, the last year has posed incredible challenges. In the fall of 2018, Castle Larchfield Purdy fell victim to a bout of colic that required surgery and was unable to qualify for the 2018 Pan Am Games. Initially disappointing, the setback allowed Billys time to clarify her goals and begin focusing on her primary vision - competing individually in the 2020 Olympics.

Saturday's schedule includes an exciting day with international levels and the North American Youth Championships CCIJ2*-L competing in dressage. The national levels will kick off cross-county and show-jumping for novice and training levels.

For 2019 Ride Times and Results throughout the weekend, please visit www.rebeccafarm.org. For NAYC team results, please visit https://eventing.startboxscoring.com/eventsr/rebecca/yrht0719/.

Admission for this family-friendly spectator event is free, with full concessions and a large multi-interest shopping fair, as well as a free Kid Zone that includes pony rides, PonyUp! (Horsemanship 101 classes for kids), face painting, arts and crafts, and more. A one-time, recommended $10 parking donation per car to support Halt Cancer at X and a full weekend pass is available with a $25 donation.

To access Rebecca Farm, from the junction of Highways 93 & 2, travel 2 miles north on Highway 93 to Reserve Loop and go west 2 miles, then south on W. Springcreek Rd. The entrance is 3/4 mile on the right.

For more information, visit www.rebeccafarm.org.

 

Remaining Schedule

Saturday, July 27, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Cross-Country all day. All FEI levels, CCIY3*-S, CCIJ2*-L.

Show Jumping all day. Intermediate, Preliminary, Training 3-Day, Novice 3-Day.

Shopping Fair & Festival: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Kid Zone: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 

Sunday, July 28, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Final Horse Inspection: 8 a.m.

Show Jumping all day. CCIJ2*-L, CCIY3*-S, All FEI levels.

Shopping Fair & Festival: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Kid Zone: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

 

For further details about the schedule of events, please visit: https://www.rebeccafarm.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/scheduleofevents2019FINAL.pdf.

 

ABOUT THE EVENT AT REBECCA FARM

The Event at Rebecca Farm presented by Montana Equestrian Events is held every July in Kalispell, Montana. One of the largest equestrian triathlons in the United States, The Event is also considered to have some of the world's finest scenery. Each year it draws hundreds of riders of all levels, from amateur to Olympians. In addition, The 2019 Event celebrates 30 years of sanctioned eventing in the Flathead valley, with longtime participants returning to the farm and reminiscing amongst future generations.

The Event at Rebecca Farm features thirteen courses ranging from novice to Olympian qualifier, which were originally developed by world-renowned course designer, Mark Phillips. In 2012, Scottish equestrian Ian Stark redesigned the Rebecca Farm courses. Known for his immense contributions to eventing, Stark has won multiple Olympic medals and was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

For more information, visit www.rebeccafarm.org.