Lauren Kieffer and Boyd Martin (22Gates)

The Plains, Va. - Many of the nation's best event riders are filing their entries and finalizing their plans to compete in the Land Rover Great Meadow International presented by Adequan® on July 8-10. The 2016 Great Meadow International (GMI) at Great Meadow, in The Plains, VA, will be hosting the first-ever FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing competition outside Europe. This competition is the final preparation trial for the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team prior to the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  

Great Meadow will provide spectators with a great opportunity to watch some of the world's top riders compete at a premier eventing competition with world-class facilities that include a new $1 Million arena constructed specifically for this event. U.S. riders who have submitted entries include:

• Phillip Dutton - Five-time Olympic veteran with two Team gold medals (2000, 1996) for his native Australia and a Team bronze (2004) for the U.S. A six-time WEG veteran and the 2008 Rolex Kentucky champion. Two-time Pan American Games Team gold medalist (2015, 2007) and Individual silver medalist (2007).
• Boyd Martin - 2012 Olympic veteran and two-time WEG competitor (2014, 2010).2015 Pan American Games Team gold medalist.
• Lauren Kieffer - 2015 Pan American Games Team gold medalist. Winner of the 2015 Great Meadow International Pan Am Preparatory Trials and two-time winner of the Rolex USEF Four Star Championship (2014 and 2016).
• Buck Davidson - Two-time WEG veteran (2014, 2010), two-time U.S. Olympic Team Alternate (2012, 2008). Winner of the 2013 Rolex USEF Four Star Championship.
• Hannah Sue Burnett - Individual Silver and Team Gold medalist at the 2011 Pan American Games, won the 2012 USEF Three Star Championship.  WEG Team Alternate. (2014)
• Sinead Halpin - U.S. Olympic Team alternate (2012), 2nd at Burghely CCI4* (2012), 3rd at Rolex Kentucky CCI4* (2011), and 4th at Rolex Kentucky CCI4* (2014).
• Lynn Symansky - WEG veteran (2014), 2011 Pan American Games Team Gold medalist. Winner of the Bromont CIC3* (2014) and 2nd at Great Meadow International CIC3* (2015).

"We are looking forward to a thrilling event," said Robert L. Banner, Jr., President of the Great Meadow Foundation. "Our hosting the first FEI Nations Cup™ outside of Europe and the final preparation event for the 2016 Summer Olympics gives eventing and equestrian enthusiasts a truly unique opportunity to see some of the best horse and rider combinations in the nation and the world."

To kick off this historic weekend, spectators are encouraged to come out on Friday, July 8 for a "Free on Friday" celebration which will include an Opening Ceremony followed by the Morningside Bareback Puissance class, sponsored by Morningside Training Farm, which is a high-jumping bareback competition with a $2,000 grand prize. Spectators will also get a chance to inspect the new $1 Million arena being constructed specifically for this competition and the grand opening of the Meadow Market Trade Show.

Competition will begin with dressage on Saturday morning, July 9, followed by the show jumping phase later that afternoon. The cross-country phase will begin at 9:00 AM on Sunday, July 10, with the closing ceremony scheduled for mid-day. Admission on Saturday and Sunday is $30 per carload (up to 6 occupants). A weekend pass providing admission on both days is also available for $50 per carload (up to 6 occupants).

Ticket packages are now on sale and can be purchased online now at http://bit.ly/GMITickets. For those interested in a unique up-close experience, Great Meadow also offers Cross-Country Tailgate options in addition to Corporate and several upscale VIP Hospitality Packages featuring gourmet food, front-row seating and much more! Further details are available at http://www.greatmeadowinternational.com/#!tickets/ct8u.

Full details on the 2016 Land Rover Great Meadow International, Presented by Adequan® are available at www.GreatMeadowInternational.com.

About The Great Meadow Foundation
Great Meadow was founded through the vision of news executive and philanthropist Arthur W. (Nick) Arundel in 1982. Arundel purchased an abandoned farm then slated to become a housing development for perpetual preservation of open space. The concept for Great Meadow grew out of several converging forces of the 1980s, primarily urban growth pressure on farmland near Washington, the opening of I-66 and the simultaneous loss of the former Virginia Gold Cup course in Warrenton to subdivision development. Since their inception, they have been the permanent home for the Virginia Gold Cup and Family 4th of July celebrations. Over the years, they have added several more community events, ranging from Twilight Polo to the Virginia State Cross Country Tournaments. For more information, please visit www.greatmeadow.org.