2020 Pony Finals Canceled

[enjoytheride]

@oreo mom

I’m sorry you lost both your parents. That’s hard.

I read this as her parents are alive but she doesn’t feel like it’s safe to ever see them in person again.

[onthebit]

@enjoytheride

The attacks on posters who are following local and KY state recommendations, and were planning on following all show requirements are uncalled for. Travel is allowed, horse showing and eating in restaurants is currently allowed. Staying in hotels is allowed. It is ridiculous to shame someone who is doing things that are allowed, is wearing a mask, is following social distancing, etc.

If you don’t feel comfortable doing those things, then don’t, and people will respect your choice.

Isn’t Kentucky one of the states requiring (or asking?) visitors to quarantine for 2 weeks upon arrival? I seriously doubt all of the out of state horse show attendees arrived two weeks in advance and had a quarantine plan in place for those 2 weeks.

[enjoytheride]

@onthebit

Isn’t Kentucky one of the states requiring (or asking?) visitors to quarantine for 2 weeks upon arrival? I seriously doubt all of the out of state horse show attendees arrived two weeks in advance and had a quarantine plan in place for those 2 weeks.

Kentucky RECOMMENDS that people from Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, South Carolina and Texas quarantine but it isn’t a mandate, which means that people travelling aren’t breaking any laws. Since this was in place on the 20th, and pony finals was allowed to continue with no required changes by the state then people travelling for the show were in the clear. Had it been a MANDATE, or had the show been told no entries should be accepted and people came anyway that would be different. As it was the show was in line with state rules, it was the USEF that shut it down

[JanM]

If anyone still wonders how fast this can spread, the YMCA camp in Georgia where 2/3 of the campers and staff are testing positive is a sad example.

If you want totally irresponsible, there is a reality show family with multiple little girls. They went on a family ski trip to Wyoming when the lockdown in Texas was starting, and then whined about having to self-quarantine when they got home (in a mansion, on an acre or two, with a giant pool, play sets). Then in the last month or so, they’ve gone on two water park trips, a Gulf boat excursion (no life jackets on the kids), and then a couple of weeks at a beach house. Now they’re going on an RV trip, and all of it’s being filmed (TV crew is masked, but not the kids or the parents).

[Midge]

@inca

@Nickelodian Do you know the sequence of events with the braider that tested positive? The press release made it sound like that person was on the show grounds braiding and received news of a positive test result that same day. Which would seem to mean that person was waiting for test results but decided to come to the show and braid anyway?

REALLY sorry for the kids. Absolutely devastating the way it all happened.

The braider went to get tested because she was in contact with the groom who originally tested positive, as was their whole barn. She is asymptomatic. She is self quarantining at home.

[westieeventer]

Anyone traveling across the country during a pandemic that is killing a 1000 plus a day should expect some hiccups. Seriously folks this pandemic is going to get worse before it gets better. The sooner the USEF steps up and cancels the rest of the year the better and safer everyone will be!

[Texarkana]

I am 100% in support of the cancellation, but am livid about how USEF handled the entire situation.

This is yet another example of how the equestrian world as a whole feels they operate outside/above the rest of society, unconcerned about what’s happening on the outside until it directly impacts them.

Pony Finals should have been canceled weeks ago, when it became apparent that numerous states (including ones with active equestrian populations) were trending in the wrong direction.

I understand that we need to find a way to keep living our lives and supporting the economy during this pandemic. I understand how unique Pony Finals is, even as compared to other championships. But USEF’s lack of foresight for the obvious outcome has now wasted their members’ time, money, and effort in addition to potentially compromising their health. Not to mention, they’ve now crushed the dreams of tons of little kids who literally had their bags packed for the show.

Yes, it was a hard decision, and I’m glad I wasn’t the one making it. But shame on you, USEF, for being so completely out of touch with reality. Your members deserve better.

[Ghazzu]

@mbhorse

Honestly, I think USEF needs to go ahead and “rip off the band aid” and just cancel sanctioned shows for the remainder of 2020. Canceling shows at the last minute just puts the wellbeing of the horses at jeopardy with unplanned shipping or layups, stresses the riders and trainers, and wastes a boatload of money for the exhibitors, owners, trainers and horse show management.

A major non-horsey event that I sometimes attend, which also draws visitors from far and wide, scheduled for late January 2021, has just announced that it will be cancelled.
That is a responsible timeline. (It draws a lot of vendors and many folks plan vacation time and hotel reservations around it.)

[Peggy]

@Hoofbeat_Heartbeat

Definitely agreed.

And why can’t shows implement a check in procedure with some sort of “guest list” type thing; ONLY trainers/grooms/1 parent/riders (and of course other support/vendors/braiders) on that list, list is verified with show entries, or something like this.

This is exactly what the Blenheim group run by Robert Ridland is doing. Only one parent per minor child. No other guests. No owners. No spectating at ring- you ride and leave the area.

[AAHunterGal]

Time to learn from past mistakes and cancel this new weird version of Outdoor Indoors.

[GoodTimes]

First of all, anyone who didn’t have it in the back of their mind that events (whether a horse show, or wedding, etc, etc) could be cancelled or postponed at the drop of a hat has their head in the sand.

Second, just because something is allowed, does not mean that it is smart or responsible to participate.

Third, don’t be selfish. Don’t try to justify luxury activities, especially when you have little to no control over what the other participants are doing.

Fourth. Dear Canada, please keep the border closed.

Sincerely someone who purchased a weanling in 2017 in order to participate in the 2020 Cup classes at the Royal Winter Fair. The Cups are limited to 3yo Canadian bred sport horses. RAWF was unsurprisingly cancelled weeks ago.
I now have a lovely, fancy 3yo who I’ve been enjoying at home. No plans for showing until next year.
I’m lucky to have her. I’m lucky to have my job, my house, and mostly my health.

[Gardenhorse]

@enjoytheride

Kentucky RECOMMENDS that people from Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, South Carolina and Texas quarantine but it isn’t a mandate, which means that people travelling aren’t breaking any laws. Since this was in place on the 20th, and pony finals was allowed to continue with no required changes by the state then people travelling for the show were in the clear. Had it been a MANDATE, or had the show been told no entries should be accepted and people came anyway that would be different. As it was the show was in line with state rules, it was the USEF that shut it down

Just because you can legally do something doesn’t always mean it’s a good idea.

[YankeeLawyer]

@catehorse

I hope this leads USEF to add another junior year on. So many shows have been cancelled, and for people aging out it is frustrating to not be able to achieve the goals they have set out for themselves. Hopefully the pony parents will rally and push for another junior year added on!!

I agree with this … had the same thought recently

[Texarkana]

@GoodTimes

First of all, anyone who didn’t have it in the back of their mind that events (whether a horse show, or wedding, etc, etc) could be cancelled or postponed at the drop of a hat has their head in the sand.

Second, just because something is allowed, does not mean that it is smart or responsible to participate.

Third, don’t be selfish. Don’t try to justify luxury activities, especially when you have little to no control over what the other participants are doing.

Fourth. Dear Canada, please keep the border closed.

Sincerely someone who purchased a weanling in 2017 in order to participate in the 2020 Cup classes at the Royal Winter Fair. The Cups are limited to 3yo Canadian bred sport horses. RAWF was unsurprisingly cancelled weeks ago.
I now have a lovely, fancy 3yo who I’ve been enjoying at home. No plans for showing until next year.
I’m lucky to have her. I’m lucky to have my job, my house, and mostly my health.

I appreciate your personal responsibility and your good attitude towards a lousy situation.

But I also don’t think it’s as simple as choosing whether or not to participate. If shows are happening, many in the horse industry have to participate if they want to maintain their business. Sitting out comes with the risk of sacrificing one’s income, as others will mobilize to the shows and the barns willing to attend them.

I’m a teacher. I don’t think my school should be reopening, but it is. People say if I’m “scared,” then I should just quit and stay home (fear is not the basis for my reasoning, but that’s what some people assume). Yet I can’t just quit. I would jeopardize my relationship with my employer leaving them hanging at this point, possibly damaging future references from them. I don’t have another job lined up. I need the benefits. I don’t want to burn through my meager savings, especially with so much economic uncertainty right now.

While not a perfect parallel, similar forces affect horse professionals deciding whether or not to attend a show. It’s not just a hobby for the majority of people at these events. It’s their entire livelihood.

For that same reason, there is immense pressure to “get back to normal.” But society is not in a position to do so and I personally believe the potential economic damages are far greater when we kid ourselves like this. Thousands of dollars were lost with the decision to cancel Pony Finals at the last minute. Yet if the leadership had responsibly considered the risk of holding such an event in its regular format and canceled in advance, people could have used that financial investment to innovate safer ways to maintain income.

Sorry to get all preachy. This isn’t directed at you, it’s just my frustration with so much of the leadership during these times.

[vxf111]

@Texarkana

But I also don’t think it’s as simple as choosing whether or not to participate. If shows are happening, many in the horse industry have to participate if they want to maintain their business. Sitting out comes with the risk of sacrificing one’s income, as others will mobilize to the shows and the barns willing to attend them.

But people in this position are often also the LEAST able to handle a serious illness (which COVID can cause) either in terms of a lack of insurance/money for treatment or a lack of backup coverage/ability to be out of work (or both).

So scaling things back to make them safer, SO THESE PEOPLE CAN WORK SAFELY, seems like a no brainer if you truly care about the well being of those in the industry. However you view that scaling back (no showing, only local showing, etc.) inviting hundreds of people from places like Florida and Texas to converge on Lexington with small kids was IN NO WAY realistic if your goal is to try to keep the industry going in a safe/realistic way.

I’m not showing right now. But I can see the argument for people going to local-area shows, in their community, with rigid protocols in place WHEN THE LOCAL COVID NUMBERS ARE NOT LOOKING BAD. I’m not doing it. I have no interest. But I can see the argument for this (I don’t think it’s a good argument but I can see the argument). I can also see the argument for riding/training at home, again with safety protocols. What I cannot see a non-selfish justification for is people traveling across the country from hotspots just to show. Every layer of this has unnecessary risks to the community-- the travel, the number of people in close quarters mixing from different areas, the impact on local infrastructure (not only restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores but HOSPITALS-- if you get sick at an away show you’re stressing that area’s hospitals not your own). It’s just not safe. People are going to do it because people have proven that their own selfishness outweighs their concern for the greater good-- which is why we need USEF to shut this whole things down, not encourage it.

Bet that braider doesn’t have health insurance. And that’s why, even though she felt ill and was awaiting testing, she went to work anyway. So now we have a sick person who can’t afford to be sick and got a bunch of other people sick (potentially) and shut a big show down. HOW IS THIS HELPING LITERALLY ANYONE?

[Texarkana]

@vxf111

But people in this position are often also the LEAST able to handle a serious illness (which COVID can cause) either in terms of a lack of insurance/money for treatment or a lack of backup coverage/ability to be out of work (or both).

So scaling things back to make them safer, SO THESE PEOPLE CAN WORK SAFELY, seems like a no brainer if you truly care about the well being of those in the industry. However you view that scaling back (no showing, only local showing, etc.) inviting hundreds of people from places like Florida and Texas to converge on Lexington with small kids was IN NO WAY realistic if your goal is to try to keep the industry going in a safe/realistic way.

I’m not showing right now. But I can see the argument for people going to local-area shows, in their community, with rigid protocols in place WHEN THE LOCAL COVID NUMBERS ARE NOT LOOKING BAD. I’m not doing it. I have no interest. But I can see the argument for this (I don’t think it’s a good argument but I can see the argument). I can also see the argument for riding/training at home, again with safety protocols. What I cannot see a non-selfish justification for is people traveling across the country from hotspots just to show. Every layer of this has unnecessary risks to the community-- the travel, the number of people in close quarters mixing from different areas, the impact on local infrastructure (not only restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores but HOSPITALS-- if you get sick at an away show you’re stressing that area’s hospitals not your own). It’s just not safe. People are going to do it because people have proven that their own selfishness outweighs their concern for the greater good-- which is why we need USEF to shut this whole things down, not encourage it.

Bet that braider doesn’t have health insurance. And that’s why, even though she felt ill and was awaiting testing, she went to work anyway. So now we have a sick person who can’t afford to be sick and got a bunch of other people sick (potentially) and shut a big show down. HOW IS THIS HELPING LITERALLY ANYONE?

I agree with you on every level. That is exactly why I’m so angry with USEF’s handling of these major events, like Pony Finals.

An affluent competitor has the choice whether or not to participate. But most of the people working the show do not have such a choice, and they are the people who stand to experience the most hardship from contracting Covid.

[willowoodstables]

@skydy

When you indulge in recreational travel, at a time when so many people are cognizant that interstate travel is against the advice of public health authorities, even to attend a loved ones funeral or to see your elderly relatives (and people are keeping to those guidelines because of the risk to posed to the health of others) your travel for recreational purposes is indeed a very selfish act.

THIS!!! I am isolated in Va and can’t go home to Canada because of quarantine restrictions AND I have to travel through 4 states and countless gas stations etc to get there. Showing is a privilege NOT a right. Stay home. USEF wake TF up and shut it all down.

[Hoofbeat_Heartbeat]

It just amazes me, that when other sports are postponing/canceling games due to positive COVID cases, USEF forges ahead with a, “the show must go on”, mentality. How incredibly tone deaf.

[willowoodstables]

In addition maybe it’s time to look at the business models that barns are utilizing that they NEED to horse show to have an income. I think the the old way is gone…period. Get creative and tighten the belt…times are tough and not about to get easier any time soon

[MintHillFarm]

The responsible and professional thing would have been for the USEF to cancel weeks ago. The kids would have still been disappointed, no question. But to do it when the show is mere days away, with many already there, is really terrible…

Had the powers that be even thought of a “what if” scenario on having to cancel at the last minute, which this basically is? Ponies on the show grounds, more on the way, and the expense of everyone and everything to get there.

Pony Finals is more than just another horse show. Young riders from all over the country coming together for more than the showing. It is the whole experience, and from what I know, many of those social events were already cancelled.

Poor choice to think this could have been pulled off without an issue.