Kurt Martin and D.A. Lifetime. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.
Before too long, we’ll finally know who will represent Team USA for this year’s FEI World Championships for Eventing, held just to the east of Rome in Rocca di Papa, Italy. While the identity of the teams remains unknown for now, we do know that the U.S. team will have its final Mandatory Outing in the 4*-S at MARS Great Meadow International, happening in The Plains, VA August 24-28.
MARS Great Meadow is one of those summertime events that’s always on the calendar, offering top-quality competition at a class venue with plenty of opportunity to come and take in the sport from all angles. Offering Preliminary as well as CCI2* through CCI4*-level divisions, it’s a proper tune-up for horses coming back into fitness ahead of the fall or looking for a leg stretch ahead of something as important as Pratoni.
Entries are already looking stacked for this year’s event, featuring 37 entries to date in the 4*-S. And while we of course don’t know who will be named to the four team spots and one individual spot for Pratoni, some heavy hitters spotted on the list include:
- Will Coleman with Off the Record, Chin Tonic HS, and DonDante
- Phillip Dutton with Z, Sea of Clouds, and Carlchen
- Sydney Elliott with QC Diamantaire
- Will Faudree with Mama’s Magic Way and Pfun
- Ariel Grald with Leamore Master Plan
- Liz Halliday-Sharp with Deniro Z
- Boyd Martin with Tsetserleg and Fedarman B
- Lauren Nicholson with Vermiculus and Landmark’s Monte Carlo
- Doug Payne and Quantum Leap
Great Meadow also affords a chance to see some combinations who are likely aiming for the 3*-L at Maryland 5 Star in October, and there are currently 41 entries in the 3*-S division ahead of the August 9 closing date.
Our friends at Horse & Country will once again provide the live stream coverage from MARS Great Meadow, and you can purchase an H&C+ subscription for the low price of $9.99 (it’s a monthly subscription, but there is no commitment. New members are also eligible for a free 30-day trial).
“We are honored to provide exclusive coverage of the MARS Great Meadow International to our viewers around the world for the fourth year,”
H&C Executive Producer David Qualls said. “The MARS Great Meadow International is one of the premier eventing competitions in the U.S., and the 2022 event will complement our extensive broadcast schedule and on-demand library.”
If you anticipate attending this event, you can also sign up for a volunteer position, which always helps the Volunteer Coordinator plan ahead! Click here to sign up on EventingVolunteers.com.
I’ll be your eyes on the ground for MARS Great Meadow this year, my chance to get some facetime in with the team before they head to Italy — sadly I am not traveling to Pratoni this year as I happen to be moving during the week of competition, but Tilly Berendt and Shelby Allen will be our reporters from World Championships so you can expect a full slate of ridiculousness coming your way in the next few weeks. Buckle in, and Go Eventing!
MARS Great Meadow International: [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Stream] [Volunteer]
