Montana Ambassadors Honor The Event at Rebecca Farm’s organizer Sarah Broussard for her entrepreneurial spirit

Sarah Broussard chosen as MTA Placemaker of the Year by Montana Ambassadors

The Montana Ambassadors, a not-for-profit association of Montana business advocates, recognized Kalispell resident Sarah Broussard with the MTA’s Placemaker of the Year Award for creating positive change in her local community through her work with The Event at Rebecca Farm and Halt Cancer at X. The Placemaker of the Year is a distinction given to a Montanan who has utilized their own resources and ingenuity to make the Big Sky state a better place.

Under Broussard’s leadership, and in partnership with Broussard’s family, The Event at Rebecca Farm has grown into one of nation’s largest equestrian triathlons. It brings in an estimated 10,000 spectators and $5.5 million to the Flathead Valley annually. Over five days, competitors from across the continent test their skills in the disciplines of dressage, show jumping and cross country, which together make up the sport of eventing. In its early days, The Event drew fewer than 200 riders, but thanks to the combined efforts of Broussard and her team, has boasted 650 competitors in recent years. Broussard was also pivotal in bringing the North American Youth Championships to The Event for the second year running, which has expanded the competitive field to include young riders ages 14-21.

"I had an amazing experience as a young rider when I went to championships and I tried to replicate that as best I could for these kids," Broussard said. "That definitely bring me a lot of joy. When I go around and see people smiling and having a good time, that’s what does it for me."

In its 17-year run, The Event has also created a lasting, symbiotic relationship with the Flathead Valley.
"When we bring in all these people, it’s sinking money into the community and in turn that community supports The Event because they know The Event supports the community. We get 200 volunteers that come out every year to help us pull this thing off — without them, we’d be lost," Broussard said. " I think people are realizing that The Event is more than horse show. It’s enriching for the Valley in so many ways."

In addition to transforming the landscape of equine sports in the north west, Broussard has also helped local residents battle cancer through Halt Cancer at X. The group accepts donations year-round to aid local outreach efforts and national breast cancer research, but has also gotten the eventing community involved in the cause. Parking donations, competitor pledges and auction proceeds from The Event help support the Halt Cancer at X initiative and bring the horse world and Flathead Valley closer together.

"To know that there are people around that are being helped by the money that we put back into the community … .I get choked up. It’s overwhelming to me the support that people have given," Broussard said. "Each year I think we’ve reached the pinnacle and then the next year comes and we’ve gotten better every year. I think that my mother would be over the moon to know that we have come so far and become such an integral part of the community."

Photo courtesy of the Montana Ambassadors.

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