The Event At Rebecca Farm will take place on Thursday through Monday, July 22-25 — and the public can watch the action for free.

The World Cup Equestrian Triathlon is one of 12 World Cup events held in 10 countries and will draw the world's best horses and riders. Competitor will vie for more than $50,000 in prize money and more than $30,000 in trophies. This is the biggest event of its kind in the U.S., with more than 450 competitors, 350 volunteers and nearly 20,000 spectators.

The sport of "eventing" is an equestrian triathlon meant to replicate what a horse and rider would go through in the cavalry. The horse and rider compete as a partnership in all aspects of horsemanship to complete the three tests.

¥ Dressage is designed to test obedience and the harmony between horse and rider.

¥ Cross-country is designed to test endurance, with horses running long distances at high speeds. It also tests courage, boldness, confidence and stamina of both the horse and rider.

¥ Show jumping examines precision, agility, and technique while jumping over high obstacles and turning when the rider commands it. It is also a test of condition and focus after completing the dressage and cross-country phases.

For 25 years before Rebecca Farm was created, Herron Park had hosted equestrian competitions, but over time, the competition outgrew the grounds. The Broussard family purchased a 640-acre parcel of land north of Kalispell in 2000, and Captain Mark Phillips, a world-renowned course designer, was flown in from England to design the cross-country course on Rebecca Farm.

The inaugural competition in 2002 was a huge success, with more than 150 competitors. In 2004, The Event became a USEF- and USEA-recognized Gold Cup Series and a Fdration Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Cup Eventing competition.

During the first year as a World Cup Qualifier, The Event drew 380 competitors, an increase of 200 riders from 2003. Today, 475 competitors are registered for competition, and nearly 20,000 spectators are expected to walk the grounds over the four days that span the competition.

To get to Rebecca Farm, head east on Reserve Drive in Kalispell, two miles to Springcreek Road and turn south for three-quarters of a mile. For more information, visit online at www.eventatrfarm.com.