Great Meadow Foundation Celebrates 40 Years of Community and Equestrian Excellence
Written by Shayda Windle
On Saturday, June 14, the Great Meadow Foundation kicked off its 40th anniversary with a magical “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” themed evening. Hosted by Broadway and TV actor Chris Hanke, the night featured cocktails, dinner, live music, dancing, entertainment, and a spirited live auction — set against the breathtaking backdrop of the 380-acre grounds. Entertainment was provided by Freedom Imani and Bryan Fox and Friends.
“As we celebrate 40 years of Great Meadow — and the generations of families, riders, and dreamers who have made it their home — it’s our turn to give back,” said Karen Crane, board chair of the Great Meadow Foundation. “Looking ahead, our grounds need more than admiration; they need action. With your help, we will restore the structures that hold our memories and invest in the tools that keep this land alive and working.”
The Foundation was thrilled to welcome Major Mark Gillespie, a horseman who showed up in full regalia to honor the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army. Gillespie served 20 years in the Army, commanding armor and cavalry units during the Cold War in Germany. He currently runs the Army Polo Club in The Plains, Virginia, and serves as chairman of the Armed Forces Committee of the U.S. Polo Association.
Governor Glenn Youngkin made a special video appearance at the gala, commending the Great Meadow Foundation for its “fierce dedication to land preservation, the enrichment of cultural and recreational opportunities, and the strengthening of Virginia’s horse industry.” He continued, “The spirit of Virginia is alive and well at Great Meadow. The Foundation plays a vital role in driving economic vitality, boosting tourism, and enhancing quality of life across Northern Virginia and the entire Commonwealth.”
At the gala, Great Meadow Foundation Vice-Chair Holidae Hayes proudly presented the inaugural Arthur W. Arundel Great Meadow Heritage Award to Peter Arundel, the eldest son of Great Meadow founder Arthur W. “Nick” Arundel. In the years to come, the Foundation will present this award to distinguished individuals whose exceptional contributions embody the Arundel family’s commitment to land preservation and nature conservation. The evening also marked the debut of the Great Meadow Spirit of Sport Award, presented to Michael and Wendy Smith, whose deep passion for horses, dedication to sport, and unwavering commitment to land protection exemplify the highest standards of equestrian excellence. Going forward, this honor will recognize individuals whose efforts in land conservation and equestrian sport reflect these same values.
While Great Meadow already welcomes thousands of spectators for a wide range of events, Crane encourages locals to enjoy the space more casually as well. “Come out for a walk, a run, even bring your dog,” she says. Visitors are simply asked to check in with the office when on the property. The site has become a model for adaptive use of open space for community events. The grounds contain four ponds, a small open-air stadium used for Twilight Polo, the Sheila C. Johnson Grass Polo Field, and space for public and private events and activities.
This year’s 100th running of the Virginia Gold Cup, held on May 3, was a milestone moment, drawing more than 25,000 spectators and selling out for the first time since the pandemic. And while the Gold Cup, Twilight Polo, and Fourth of July fireworks remain highlights on the calendar, Crane sees even greater potential on the horizon. “The property is still underutilized,” she notes. “There is so much more that can and will be done at Great Meadow in the future.”
For now, there’s no shortage of reasons to visit. The upcoming Big Boom Independence Day Fireworks Display will light up the sky with 2,500 fireworks, along with music, food, pony rides, and bouncy houses for kids. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, family, and friends for a festive evening under the stars. And don’t miss Music in the Meadow, a live concert series running through September. With panoramic views, top-notch musical talent, and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to spend a summer night.
Crane adds, “Forty years also means that everything on the property is 40 years old. We need to make capital improvements on the property, which is one reason we hosted this fundraiser. We are so fortunate to live in such a generous, giving, supportive environment, but this property is for everyone.”
The 40th anniversary gala was more than a celebration; it was a call to action. Great Meadow is in urgent need of major restoration efforts, including complete renovation of the historic Summer House, a new roof for the Pavilion, a rebuilt wall at the Polo Arena, and a long list of essential maintenance projects across the property to preserve it for future generations.
The Foundation’s message to supporters was clear: “Whether $100 or $100,000, every gift helps preserve this extraordinary place where tradition meets tomorrow.”
When Arthur Arundel first purchased Great Meadow in the 1980s, he saw what others didn’t. Where some envisioned housing developments, he saw open fields brimming with potential — for preservation, for sport, and for community. He left us with these words: “I cannot imagine a reason for being in these Virginia foothills without pastures, woodlands, and streams. Something will have gone out of us as a people if in our times we let our remaining open countryside to be destroyed. We need available to us forever, these fields, these woods, and marshlands.”
And we couldn’t agree more. ML
To learn more about how you can support the Great Meadow Foundation, visit greatmeadow.org. For those interested in hosting a large-scale event at Great Meadow, contact Executive Director Cindy Jeffery at cindy@greatmeadow.org.
For more photos from the Great Meadow 40th Anniversary Gala, click here.
Published in the July 2025 issue of Middleburg Life.