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FAQs for Spectators

 

Thank you so much for supporting this event.  Our event relies on spectators and supporters like you to provide this unique and exceptional level of competition in our community.  We want you to enjoy yourselves, the competition, and the fall festival but ask that you observe a few rules to keep everyone safe and protect the beautiful venue.

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General Information

  • What happens if it rains?

    • The show goes on during rain. Only in the case of lightening or torrential rains that make riding unsafe would there be a temporary cessation of the activities. If rain is in the forecast, bring some rainwear and come on down.

  • What is ‘general admission’ seating?

    • General Admission Seating is first come, first served available seating and viewing around our arena and on the cross country course. You are welcome to bring blankets and picnic chairs for seating. You may bring umbrellas for shade but we reserve the right to ask you to put them down if it gets windy and/or they disturb the horses. 

  • Do I need a ticket to attend?

    • Yes, you can prepurchase a general admission weekend pass for $20 for all four days of the event.  Each attendee needs an individual pass to show at the entrance. Keep you pass and bring it with you everyday.  You can also pay at the door at Gate 7. Thursday is free, Friday is $5, Saturday is $10 and Sunday is $10. Children under 12 get in free. Bring a donation item to the Middleburg Humane Foundation and get in free.

  • Where do I park?

    • You will be directed at Gate 7 to general admission parking.  It will be near the arena. You do not need a parking pass to park.

  • Can I bring Golf Carts, ATVs, motorcycles, mopeds, segways or any other motorized vehicle?

    • These may NOT be brought onto Great Meadow property during the Great Meadow International.  The ground is very fragile and all motorized vehicles must be limited to protect it.

  • Can I bring my own food and drink?

    • Yes.  there will also be beer, cider and wine available for purchase in the Old Ox Beer Garden.  There are also food trucks throughout the weekend in the Meadow Market. Please no glass containers.

  • Can I bring my dog to the event?

    • Yes, leashed and well behaved dogs are welcome.  Please be sure to visit the Very Important Pet tent sponsored by MARS Equestrian.  UPDATE: Dogs can not be dropped off at the MARS VIPet and must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

  • ​NOT ALLOWED: Glass Containers, Public Intoxication, Use of Illegal Substances, Tents or Canopies, Sales or Solicitations, Grills – Gas or Charcoal, Fireworks or Sparklers. 

  • Where can I get an order of go and results?

 

Fleming Farms Tailgate FAQs

  • Where are the Fleming Farm tailgates located?

    • The Fleming Farm tailgates are on the Fleming Farm parcel, closest to the MOC Splash on Sunday only.

  • How will I know where to park?

    • If you have reserved a tent, you will receive an assigned space (by name) and there will be parkers on hand to assist you.  Otherwise, there will be parkers on hand to direct you to a parking space.

  • Can I bring umbrellas? 

    • You may bring an umbrella but we reserve the right to ask you to put umbrellas down if it is windy or they are disruptive to competition.  Please do not bring a pop up tent.

  • How many tickets do I receive with a Fleming Farm tailgate?

    • You will receive one Fleming Farm tailgate pass for one vehicle to park at the Fleming Farm tailgate on Sunday only.  You will receive 6 general admission weekend passes for you and your guests.  A weekend pass will grant you access at Gate 7 for the event and you will be directed to general admission parking.  

  • How do I get my tickets?

    • They will be mailed to you the first or second week of August.  Please be sure we have a valid mailing address for you.  You can email Donna Devadas (ddevadas@memorablemetings.com) to confirm your mailing address.

  • Are there time constraints on when I can arrive and leave?

    • At this location, there will be cross country on Sunday all day.  We ask you be in position at your tailgate one hour before competition starts.  Please refer to the event schedule for specific times, as they will change until the week of the event. For safety of the horses and riders on course, you will not be allowed to leave the course until the conclusion of the level in progress except for emergencies and then only pursuant to escort by an event official.  Thank you for your understanding.

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Arena Tailgate FAQs

  • Where are the arena tailgates located?

    • The arena tailgates are on the side of the arena furthest from the racecourse, below the Fleming Farm tailgates and MOC Splash.

  • How will I know where to park?

    • You will receive an assigned space (by name) and there will be parkers on hand to assist you.

  • Can I bring chairs and umbrellas? 

    • You may bring chairs and an umbrella but we reserve the right to ask you to put umbrellas down if it is windy or they are disruptive to competition.

  • How many tickets do I receive with an arena tailgate?

    • You will receive one arena tailgate pass for one vehicle to park by the ring.  You will receive 6 general admission weekend passes for you and your guests.  A weekend pass will grant you access at Gate 7 for the event and you will be directed to general admission parking.  

  • How do I get my tickets?

    • They will be mailed to you the first or second week of August.  Please be sure we have a valid mailing address for you.  You can email Donna Devadas (ddevadas@memorablemeetings.com)  to confirm your mailing address.

  • Are there time constraints on when I can arrive and leave?

    • You are welcome to use your arena tailgate whenever you like but we ask for your patience when parking as we do not want there to be any disruption to riders in the ring.  You may be asked to wait to park until the horse(s) in the ring complete(s) their test(s).  Please keep in mind that there will be no jumping in the arena on Sunday as this is cross country day for the 3* and 4*.  For Sunday, we ask you be in position at your tailgate one hour before competition starts.  Please refer to the event schedule for specific times, as they will change until the week of the event.

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Ringside Box FAQs

  • Where are the ringside boxes located?

    • The ringside boxes are on the side of the arena closest to the racecourse, below the VIP tent.

  • Will umbrellas and chairs be provided?

    • There will be benches, but there are no umbrellas.  You may bring an umbrella but we reserve the right to ask you to put umbrellas down if it is windy or they are disruptive to competition.

  • How many tickets do I receive with a ringside tailgate?

    • You will receive 6 general admission weekend passes for you and your guests.  A weekend pass will grant you access at Gate 7 for the event and you will be directed to general admission parking.

  • How do I get my tickets?

    • They will be mailed to you the first or second week of August.  Please be sure we have a valid mailing address for you.  You can email Donna Devadas at ddevadas@memorablemeetings.com to confirm your mailing address.

  • Where do I park?

    • Guests with general admission passes will park in general admission parking, which is on Fleming Farm. 

  • Are there time constraints on when I can arrive and leave?

    • You are welcome to use your ringside box whenever you like.  Please keep in mind that there will be no jumping in the arena on Sunday as this is cross country day for the 3* and 4*.

 

VIP Tent FAQs

  • Where will I watch the dressage and Saturday night show jumping if I buy a table?

    • 4* tables will receive the best viewing in front row tables and 3* tables will have fabulous views from the VIP tent. 2* tables will have open seating with great views as well.

  •  Where should I park for the VIP hospitality tent?

    • You will arrive through Gate 7 and show the parking agent your weekend pass and display your VIP parking pass.  VIP parking is located directly behind the VIP tent with overflow near the warm up arena.

  • Where will I pick up my credentials?

    • Your car passes and tickets will be mailed to you and your wrist bands will be available at the registration desk prior to entering the tent on the night of the event.  Please provide your guests names as soon as you are able, but please no later than Tuesday 8/20.

  • Do I need to keep my wrist band from Friday to Sunday? 

    • No.  Each day will require a different wristband.

  • Can I bring my dog into the tent?

    • Yes, leashed and well-behaved dogs are welcome. Please be sure to visit the Very Important Pet tent sponsored by MARS Equestrian.  UPDATE: Dogs can not be dropped off at the MARS VIPet and must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

  • Will I be able to see the livestream in the VIP tent?  

    • Yes, we will have monitors displaying the livestream.  The large LED screen by the ring will also be viewable from the VIP tent.

 

Swan Lake Tailgates FAQs

  • Where are the Swan Lake tailgates located?

    • The Swan Lake tailgates are on the racecourse, closest to the MARS Sustainability Bay water complex.

  • How will I know where to park?

    • You will receive an assigned space (by name) and there will be parkers on hand to assist you.

  • Can I bring tables and umbrellas? 

    • You may bring an umbrella but we reserve the right to ask you to put umbrellas down if it is windy or they are disruptive to competition.

  • How many tickets do I receive with a Swan Lake tailgate?

    • You will receive one Swan Lake tailgate pass for one vehicle to park by the MARS Sustainability Bay water complex.  You will receive 6 general admission weekend passes for you and your guests.  A weekend pass will grant you access at Gate 7 for the event and you will be directed to general admission parking.  The tailgate pass grants you access through Gate 2 where you will be shown to your parking space.

  • How do I get my tickets?

    • They will be mailed to you the first or second week of August.  Please be sure we have a valid mailing address for you.  You can email Donna Devadas (ddevadas@memorablemeetings.com)  to confirm your mailing address.

  • Are there time constraints on when I can arrive and leave?

    • At this location, there will be cross country on Saturday afternoon and Sunday all day.  We ask you be in position at your tailgate one hour before competition starts.  Please refer to the event schedule for specific times, as they will change until the week of the event. For safety of the horses and riders on course, you will not be allowed to leave the course until the conclusion of the level in progress except for emergencies and then only pursuant to escort by an event official.  Thank you for your understanding.

 

Miscellaneous Policies 

  • All pets must be on a leash and attached to a person, otherwise, fines may apply.

  • Disturbing fellow patrons with loud conversation or inappropriate behavior is not permitted and may result in removal from the event without a refund.

  • Violation of Great Meadow International rules may result in removal from the event without refund and/or prosecution.

  • Shirts and shoes are required and must be worn at all times.

  • Keep a close watch on small children. Children are not aware of the danger that horses present.  Horses will be traveling at speed this weekend and they may not see your child.

  • Observe the crowd control markers. You must stay at least 15 meters away from the dressage arenas. For your own safety and that of the riders, stay behind marked barriers and ropes and keep clear of the area around each cross country fence. Crossing the cross country course is permitted, but always make sure that a horse is not coming and heed instructions from the crossing guards.

  • Be considerate of the site. Please use trash receptacles and respect the roped botanical areas.

 

 

The purchaser, the holder of each ticket, or any other guest (hereinafter referred to as the "Participant") of Great Meadow International (“GMI”) acknowledges the risks associated with attending this event (hereinafter referred to as the “Equine Activity”, as that term is defined in the Act described below) and accepts any and all risks and dangers of injury and/or death that may occur as a result.  This Equine Activity Liability Release, Waiver of Right to Sue and Assumption of All Risks Waiver (“Waiver") is given in part under the VIRGINIA EQUINE ACTIVITY LIABILITY ACT (Code of Virginia Section 3.2-6300 et seq.) as it may now provide or be hereafter amended (the "Act").  All terms defined by the Act shall have the same meaning herein, and the Act is hereby incorporated in this Waiver by reference. This Waiver shall be so construed as to provide to Great Meadow Foundation, Five Rings Eventing LLC, and/or Great Meadow International (each an Equine Activity Sponsor and/or Equine Professional as those terms are defined in the Act), and their owners, managers, employees, agents, heirs, and successors and assigns  (hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as “GMI”) the fullest protection of a release, waiver of right to sue and assumption of all risks that is afforded to GMI by the Act and by general law. In consideration for and for the purpose of participating in any Equine Activity, as that term is defined in the Act, and including but not limited to, coming into contact with horses, land, jumps, equipment, or facilities either owned or controlled by GMI, and/or receiving training or instruction from the agents or employees of GMI, the Participant (including any minor in whose behalf the undersigned signs this Waiver) hereby agrees as follows: The Participant hereby acknowledges that Participant has full and complete notice and understanding of the Act and that GMI shall not be liable for an injury to or death of Participant resulting from the intrinsic dangers of equine activities and, except as provided in the Act, no Participant nor any Participant’s parent, guardian, or representative shall have or make any claim against or recover from any equine activity sponsor, equine professional, or any other person for injury, loss, damage, or death of the participant resulting from any of the intrinsic dangers of equine activities.

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