As most residents from this part of Virginia will tell you, change can be a slow process around here. And, if the changes involve the horse world and revered people, events and traditions, you can be sure every process has been implemented after extensive thought and thorough planning by the appropriate powers-that-be.

And so, at the April, 2009 Great Meadow Foundation board meeting when Henry A. "Buzz" Kievenaar, Major General (retired), and Great Meadow trustee took over as the new Chairman of the Board, and when Robert L. "Rob" Banner, Jr., Great Meadow trustee for 16 years and former Publisher of The Chronicle of the Horse stepped forward as the new President of the Foundation, members and friends knew the transition of Great Meadow to the next generation, was complete and the organization was up and in action.

The first generation at Great Meadow was founded by news executive and philanthropist Arthur W. "Nick" Arundel in 1982. He purchased an abandoned farm, then slated to become a housing development, with the intent to preserve the land for perpetual open space. At that time, suburban growth pressures on farmland near Washington, the opening of I-66, and the loss of the former Virginia Gold Cup course, Broadview, in Warrenton to subdivision development converged to send the Virginia Gold Cup to its newly founded home in The Plains. Great Meadow was established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation and the annual Virginia Gold Cup races became an instant tradition at the new site.

Now, 25 years later, Great Meadow and The Virginia Gold Cup have entered times of new expansions. Nick Arundel remains involved because his policies and procedures are being followed, and his knack for organization and timetables is still essential for smooth operations on the property. But the new leadership is pioneering the focus on regionwide building of the new Great Meadow Endowment Fund. The Fund will help greatly expand other participating sports as well as the traditionally supported equine sports. Founded on the mission to preserve open space, Great Meadow is here today because of the leadership and tenets of the Great Meadow Foundation.

Great Meadow owes a significant debt to Arundel who established the foundation, both functionally and philosophically. But the time has come to move on to a new generation of leadership. Previous executive directors have guided the day-to-day operations and seen to the efficient management of events, but have not had the authority to make financial decisions without consulting the board of Trustees. Rob Banner's new position as president gives him the ability to be the final say on many business decisions, which is important given the amount of coordination and attention to detail required to keep Great Meadow running on schedule.

Recently, we sat down with Rob Banner and Buzz Kievenaar at Great Meadow's Summer House on Members Hill. They were eager to talk about the new Endowment Fund expansion and the many changes ahead at the venue. They project that sports and environmental enthusiasts from many areas will participate in this greatly expanded promotion of this field sport competition site.

"Now, we are opening up Great Meadow for everybody in the community at large to use." Rob Banner said. "In the future, we will encourage using the property to its full capabilities."

Great Meadow offers one of the most popular Fourth of July Celebrations in the region. Traditionally, it has been a family focused day, with picnics, games and fireworks. Future plans project other large public events like the 4th.

"As the permanent home of both the spring and fall Virginia Gold Cup races and Twilight Polo at Great Meadow these traditional sports events will continue their regional popularity and growth," Rob continued.

We walk out of the Summer House to the overlook area where the course and the hills stretch out to the East. Buzz and Rob discuss how important it has been that Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and DC businesses and fans have been supportive of the Virginia Gold Cup and other events in recent years. The first generation at Great Meadow showed the eastern regions where to come for sports excitement. The second Great Meadow generation is now expanding on that direction.

As Rob Banner stepped into his leadership responsibilities at Great Meadow, he found that his career in publishing and advertising and his background as a horseman have trained him well for his new job. Born in Kingsport, TN, son of a surgeon, he grew up riding horses. His father had a farm pack of hounds so they hunted through fall and winter seasons. He showed in hunter/jumper shows in the summers and he rode point-to-points. Rob graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1980. He worked on three horse publications for 28 years – his 18 years at The Chronicle of the Horse in Middleburg being the longest.

Continued support of friends and the community help make the future of Great Meadow possible for generations to come. The foundation's stated mission of "Preserving open space in service to the community" is basic to being a "constantly evolving and improving organization providing a quality of life opportunity for all of our constituents." Contributions to the Great Meadow Foundation Endowment Fund, a 501(c)3 tax-deductible non-profit organization, can be sent to the foundation at 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains, VA 20198.