Preview David O’Connor’s Cross Country Courses at MARS Great Meadow International

The 4* coffin complex. Photo by Sally Spickard.

It’s cross country day at the MARS Great Meadow International in The Plains, Va. and we’re getting set for a thrilling finale that will see the CCI3*-S and CCI4*-S divisions run in reverse order of standing. David O’Connor is the designer this weekend, and he’s set up some proper, fair tests for the riders competing this weekend. As we’ve mentioned before, many riders here will be using this weekend as a fitness run, a set-up for the fall season, or as a move-up. With that in mind, the track wouldn’t be the biggest one you’ve seen — but that doesn’t mean David’s left the door open to just cruise on autopilot.

We did a fence-by-fence preview on our Instagram page (look for the story highlight titled “GMI XC Walk”), so be sure to check that out if you want a little of a close-up view (and a bit of commentary from Sharon White). I’ve also embedded the 3* and 4* tracks below thanks to the efforts of Course Walk App.

Angled logs out of the first water. Photo by Sally Spickard.

H&C+ members can check out the live stream of cross country beginning at 9 a.m. EST with the CCI3*-S and followed by the CCI4*-S, which will kick off at 12:36 p.m EST. To gain access to the live stream, click here.

CCI4*-S: Optimum time 6:57

CCI3*-S: Optimum time 6:19

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