MARS Equestrian Returns as the Title Sponsor of 2020 Great Meadow International and Is in Close Partnership with the Organizing Committee to Run a Safe Event
Five Rings Eventing, LLC is pleased to announce the return of MARS Equestrian™, a division of Mars, Incorporated, as the title sponsor of the Great Meadow International CIC2, 3 and 4*-S. 
The MARS Great Meadow International (MARSGMI) takes place in The Plains, Virginia on August 20-23, 2020. At this point, MARSGMI is planning to proceed as scheduled. The Organizing Committee is in the process of developing protocols to ensure the safety of everyone involved with the event, following all local, national, USEA and FEI requirements related to the COVID-19 health crisis. The driving force for all involved will be the health and safety of all competitors, volunteers, and competition staff.
“The sport of Eventing may be on hold for now, but when it is safe to return to competition, MARS Equestrian is a perfect long term partner, committed to the future success of MARSGMI. As we navigate this difficult time, we are so grateful to once again have their support, and look forward with hope to a safe, exciting event in August.” said David O’Connor of Five Rings Eventing.
“MARS Equestrian is delighted to return as the Title Sponsor of GMI,” said Geoff Galant, Vice President of MARS Equestrian. “Ultimately, the partnership with GMI is central to our goal of supporting competition in local areas. Finding new ways to connect with fans and business partners while supporting the event is important to us. The team at GMI is working hard to host a top level competition during these challenging times and we support their efforts.”
In the meantime, new for 2020, MARSGMI will offer a national preliminary division to include more competitors in this destination event.
“Great Meadow is truly a special place in the heart of Northern Virginia horse country,” said O’Connor. “We are especially excited to broaden the reach of this event to be more inclusive of our community members, businesses, and organizations who share our love of open space, animal well-being, and the Piedmont.”
MARSGMI will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and maintain communication with the Great Meadow Foundation, state and local health officials, and the USEF and FEI.
About Great Meadow International
Established in 2015, the Great Meadow International is a three-day eventing competition held annually at the Great Meadow Foundation in The Plains, Virginia. The 2020 Great Meadow International will take place on August 20-23, 2020.
For information at Great Meadow International, please visit https://www.greatmeadowinternational.com/about
About Five Rings Eventing
Five Rings Eventing is a high-performance event organizer and management company founded by Darrin Mollett and David O’Connor to enhance the sport of eventing in Northern Virginia and beyond. FRE’s mission is to provide exceptional competition opportunities for athletes and their equine partners to help them reach their individual goals, whether they are at the entry level to international competition or the highest level of team competition.
MARS Equestrian™
MARS Equestrian™ Sponsorship by Mars, Incorporated is the link between our iconic brands and the equestrian community. For generations, Mars has celebrated a rich equestrian heritage, and through purposeful partnerships, MARS Equestrian™ is committed to the sport and building an enduring legacy. From world-class competitions across all equestrian disciplines, to stewarding the power of horses on society and sustainability, MARS Equestrian™ is dedicated to our purpose to improve the lives of horses, pets, and the people who love them.
For more information about MARS Equestrian, please visit www.marsequestrian.com.
