Elaine Burke

Great Meadow Foundation

The Great Meadow Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, manages a 374-acre equestrian event park nestled within the piedmont's finest horse country in The Plains, Virginia. The park was founded in 1984 with a mission to preserve open space in service to the community and for the advancement of equestrian sport. The late philanthropist and Great Meadow founder, Arthur "Nick" W. Arundel envisioned a place devoted to preserving the rich cultural and equestrian heritage of the area that also provided a permanent home for the prestigious Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase races. Today, Great Meadow hosts over 40 events that draw 200,000 people through the gates annually to see steeplechasing, polo, show jumpers, foot races, rocketry, cultural fairs, and Independence Day fireworks.