Will Coleman and Off the Record. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.
A strong roster of 23 horses and riders are entered in the marquee CCI4*-S at MARS Great Meadow International in The Plains, VA this weekend, giving us a glimpse at both some new Advanced horses making their first steps toward the ultimate 4*-L or 5* goal as well as some seasoned campaigners beginning to prep for their respective fall destinations. The popular summer hot-spot for eventing offers FEI competition from 2*-S up to 4*-S, as well as a Preliminary division. It’s also a spectator-friendly event with plenty to do, eat, drink, and see — and there are still some options available for tailgating and other hospitality perks if you want to check them out here.
As has been tradition for the past few seasons, the competition at Great Meadow will be carried live on Horse & Country (H&C+ membership or single event viewing pass required). You can bookmark this page for all the viewing options as competition commences.
Action will kick off Thursday, August 24 with dressage for the 2*-S and Preliminary pairs, followed by 3*-S and 4*-S dressage on Friday, show jumping for 3*-S and 4*-S and cross country for 2*-S and Prelim on Saturday, and cross country for the upper levels and the conclusion of competition with show jumping for the lowers on Sunday.
Looking to the entries for the 4* division, we’ll see quite a few relatively new 4*/Advanced horses on the list, including Lisa Takada’s Monbeg Libertine, piloted by Tim Bourke, a newly acquired ride in Diabolo for Will Coleman (though the 11-year-old gelding has a few 4*s under his girth already with Australia’s Gemma Tinney), Woodge Fulton’s Cash Point, Jan Bynyy’s talented 8-year-old Beautiful Storm, Tik Maynard’s SKM Lux Sonata, Shannon Lilley’s Eindhoven Garette, Rachel Dunning and High Tide, Maya Clarkson and Maks Mojo C, and Mexico’s Guillermo De Campo Marambio and Visi SDN and Fernando Parroquin Delfin with Beldad, to name just a few.
We’ll also see Luke 140 and Fedarman B step out after each delivering top performances in their first 5*s this spring at Luhmühlen with Boyd Martin, who also brings forward the lesser experienced but high-potential Miss Lulu Herself. Caroline Pamukcu brings forward King’s Especiale, Alyssa Phillips will ride her experienced partner Oskar, and Lauren Nicholson will compete the Ms. Mars homebred Landmark’s Jungle Gold in his first 4*-S.
You can view the complete entry list for all divisions here. While we won’t be there in person this year, Taleen Hanna and I will be bringing you reports from Great Meadow all weekend, so stay tuned here and be sure to tune in live on Horse & Country as well.
Go Eventing!
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