DRESSAGE SHOW IN MONTANA

June 6

I went to one of the recognized dressage shows at Rebecca Farm in Kalispel, MT. For you eventers, I'm sure you will recognize Rebecca Farm, because they have a very large event, featuring a 2 star CCI. Many of the top names come and compete here in the Big Sky. So I know there is eventing -- but what is the dressage like?

First, there are very nice dressage horses here. Second, the show had Axel Steiner as a judge, so that's pretty good. But....it was only a 2 ring show, and from the show schedule, it appears most of the dressage is training, first, and second level. I only saw 1 or 2 third levels rides listed, no fourth level at all, 3 Prix St. George rides, and one I2 ride. So not a lot of higher level dressage. It was also just a 2 ring show. Many people were from Montana -- Florence, Whitefish, Missoula, etc. There were a few people from Idaho and Washington.

Today, the temperature turned colder (even forecasting snow over 5,000 ft -- which means Glacier). It was in the low 50's, which really isn't so bad, but at Rebecca Farm, the wind had to be blowing about 25 MPH. The farm is acres of fairly flat land with mountains in the distance. So the wind had lots of space to really pick up speed. They had sand bags on the dressage ring so it didn't blow over.

I had my heaviest velor top on, and a jacket, and I started to freeze with the wind. And quite frankly, without a hood to block the wind, I never could have watched any of the dressage.

So I did leave early to drive into Polson. In one of the travel magazines, it lists Kerr Dam as one of the 10 views you must see when in Montana. On the drive to the dam, I'm thinking there is just nothing out here that looks like a great view. And you drive to a spot that says it is a scenic overlook for the dam -- still nothing. But you start walking down these stairs, and down the stairs, and down the stairs -- and you finally come to an amazing site. The dam itself is 204 ft. high, which is 54 feet higher than Niagra Falls. It was built during the 1930's depression on the Flat Head River, and completed in 1938. The dam is 575 feet long, and it produces enough electricity to light 125,000 homes. It is also a joint project with the Indian tribes, as it is on their reservation.

Today the dam is releasing water, and it is truly an amazing sight. The water pours out of the dam, creating so much spray that it does cause a slight rainbow. The river is beautiful, surrounded by the mountains in the distance. I thought this was worth the extra drive to get there (but the magazine did not list Avalanche Lake on the 10 ten views -- and it was far more beautiful than the dam).