Kalispell, Mont. - The pressure is building for young riders as they move into the final day of show jumping for the Adequan North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North. Both individuals and teams fought hard in today's cross-country rounds, meaning there was limited movement within the ranks.

"My entire team did so well so I knew I had to bring it home to them," described Katie Lichten, last to go in the team order for the combined team of Area I/II.

Katie Lichten moved into third place after jumping double clear to remain on 31.8 after cross country on her horse Sapphire Blue B. Ahead of her in second on the leaderboard is her teammate and twin sister, Madeline (Maddie) Lichten (Yarrow) who rode to a score of 30.0. The sisters sit behind Area III/VII's William Kidwell (Tremolo) who held the lead for the second consecutive day of CCIY3*-S competition with a score of 28.0.

In the CCIY3*-S team standings, Area I/II, headed by the Lichten twins, maintained a decisive lead. Partnering with their teammates, Megan Loughnane (Linford) and Sami Crandall (Fernhill Chaos), the team completed cross country with a team score of 94.4. They are followed by the Area IV/VIII team (Cosby Green, Emma Fettig, Heather Morris, and Greta Schwickert) who stand on a team score of 105.2.

The theme of successive leadership at the highest levels also carried through in the CCI2J*-L cross country. For the second day in a row, Area VI's Charlotte Babbitt preserved her first place standing, achieving a double-clear 24.0 round on her own 2 A.M. Chasing closely behind Babbitt is Area VIII's Elizabeth Henry, who landed on a score of 24.9 with her mount Charlotte La Bouff. Rounding out the top three is Area IV's Benjamin Noonan who's double clear score of 27.0 moved him from fourth to third today.

Area VIII's team, comprised of Elizabeth Henry (Charlotte La Bouff), Cierra Daratony (Rio De Janeiro), Grace Elliott (Ballylanders Finn McCool), and Tate Northrop (Fine with Me), grabbed the lead from Area VI today in the CCI2*-L team cross country contest. Area VIII's team ended with 90.2 ahead of Area II (104.2) and Area IV (105.2).

Leading competitors in both The Event at Rebecca Farm's CCI4*-L and the concurrently running Adequan North American Youth Championships Presented by Gotham North CCIY3*-S and CCI2J*-L held onto top positions in today's cross country challenge.

CCI4*-L Division

In the CCI4*-L, Lauren Billys, aboard Purdy Syndicates' Castle Larchfield Purdy, completed a double clear round on 31.0, maintaining a short lead over Jennie Brannigan. Brannigan, on the Syndicate Stella Artois' Stella Artois, turned in a score 32.9 with a 0.4 time penalty; she will move into show jumping tomorrow in second place. Riding Caribbean Soul, a 12-year-old American Thoroughbred, owned by the Caribbean Soul Syndicate, Clark Montgomery moved up the ranks, achieving a 39.2 to grab the third position.

Going into show jumping, the stakes are high. For Lauren Billys, winning the CCI4*-L at The Event at Rebecca Farm would qualify her to ride in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. "Purdy has been a very clean show jumper for me the past few years. ... He has a lot of heart, is very brave, and is very careful so I hope the course suits him. I look forward to the challenge and I hope we will have a good day," Billys says in anticipation of the final round of competition at The Event.

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/index.php.

Sunday's show jumping action kicks off at 9:45 a.m. with the CCIJ2*-L contestants.

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

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.