Justine Dutton on "Jollybo" conquers the bareback puissance during the 2014 WEG Prep Trial at Great Meadow. (Alec Thayer, AB3 Photography)
The puissance, a high-jumping bareback competition, is expected to commence around 6:40 p.m., and the winner will take home a $2,000 grand prize. Attendees may come watch the Opening Ceremonies for free as part of a #FreeOnFriday promotion on Friday, July 8th. Gates open at 1:00 p.m., and spectators are encouraged to come early to check out the new $1 Million arena, shop at Meadow Market and tour the Cross Country course.
The Land Rover Great Meadow International will host the first-ever FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing competition to be held outside Europe July 8-10, and will host the U.S. Eventing Team before they head to the summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Competition for the first ever FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing Competition begins at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 9 with the dressage phase. The show jumping phase will follow, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Cross Country will take place on Sunday, July 10 at 9:00 a.m. Further scheduling highlights can be found at www.greatmeadowinternational.com.
For more information regarding the Morningside Bareback Puissance, or the Land Rover Great Meadow International, please call the Great Meadow Foundation office at (540) 253-5000, or visit 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.
About Morningside Training Farm
Morningside Training Farm is a world-class training facility and a development program that produces top 3-day Eventing students at all levels. In addition, Morningside hosts clinics and bi-monthly schooling shows for horse and rider development, and they are recognized as a USEF elite training center. For more information, please visit: www.morningsidetrainingfarm.com.