profile}
Meeting Super Sarah The woman behind The Event at Rebecca Farm By Kay Burt - Photos by Jeff Lendrum Photography
“My mother’s first mistake,” laughs Sarah Broussard, “was taking me with her to the barn when I was six. From then on, I was just a totally horse crazy kid.” Arguably, it was not a mistake, but the genesis of a remarkable life, one lived with a passion for horses, for eventing and, ultimately, for others. Today, many would recognize Sarah’s name as the organizer and driving force behind The Event at Rebecca Farm. The Event is a boon to the Flathead, drawing spectators and competitors from around the nation. It generates millions in revenue for the local economy, and its corollary charity, Halt Cancer at X, an initiative that raises funds for national breast cancer research and local support services, brings in thousands more. Rebecca Farm, with its acres of graceful hills, obstacles and farm ground is a world-class
w
78 406
oman.com
venue, and The Event a crown jewel. In addition to hosting The Event each July, the venue serves the community in other capacities, hosting everything from summer symphonies to the cross-country meets. Sarah credits the farreaching vision of Rebecca Farm to her mother, Rebecca (for whom the farm is named). “This was her dream,” she says, “and the story of how it came to be is remarkable.” Equally remarkable is the story of the woman who now carries forward her mother’s vision.
Sarah began riding at six and show jumping at ten. She entered the world of eventing at 15. Eventing, a series of three events—dressage, show jumping and cross country, requires an enduring partnership between horse and rider. Despite a number of falls (they taught her “grit”), Sarah persisted. She came to live and breathe eventing.
But the sport of eventing was not without its demands. It required the same rigorous commitment of other Olympic sports, the same Spartan existence. At age 15, because only one competition was held in the state at that time, Sarah loaded up her horse and headed toward Spokane, where she trained for the next three years. Once trained in all things eventing, Sarah hit the road on her own at 18 to chase her dreams. “I traveled all over, down to Arizona and on to California,” she remembers. “I lived in a pickup camper for a lot of that.” Sarah finished high school in three years, trading proms and pep rallies for a life on the circuits. She returned only for commencement, graduating with her Columbia Falls classmates. Looking back, she would have it no other way. She made many friends in the eventing circles and they remain close friends today. “We saw each other at each competition,” she recalls, “It was a small, intimate group of us and we became like