2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25103880D

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 562

Offered January 29, 2025

Commending Great Meadow.

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Patron—Webert

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WHEREAS, Great Meadow, a beloved equestrian park located in The Plains that is operated by the Great Meadow Foundation, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024; and

WHEREAS, Great Meadow was the vision of founder Arthur “Nick” Arundel, who dreamed of a permanent home for the distinguished Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase races; and

WHEREAS, the Great Meadow Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1984 with the mission to “preserve open space in service to the community and advance equestrian sport”; and

WHEREAS, Great Meadow has become a favored destination for steeplechase and polo fans over the years, who are drawn by the venue's entertaining equestrian events against the beautiful backdrop of the Fauquier County countryside; and

WHEREAS, after making several enhancements to the property in 2016, including doubling the property size to 374 acres and completing a world-class arena, Great Meadow hosted the first-ever Fédération Équestre Internationale Eventing Nations Cup in North America; and

WHEREAS, today, Great Meadow welcomes more than 200,000 people each year for its various events, including steeplechasing, polo, show jumpers, foot races, rocketry, cultural fairs, and Independence Day fireworks; and

WHEREAS, on November 10, 2024, the inaugural United States Polo Association Veterans Cup Championship was held at Great Meadow's Veterans Stadium; and

WHEREAS, through its commitment to preserving both the natural grandeur and sporting traditions of the Commonwealth, Great Meadow has helped to make Fauquier County a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Great Meadow hereby be commended on the occasion of its 40th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the board of directors of Great Meadow as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's contributions to the Commonwealth.