There are very few people who are able to get a test “just because”. If you are getting tested (like this braider) because you have been near someone else who has tested positive, there is reason to believe you have the virus and are asymptomatic or presymptomatic and should self quarantine. The problem is that this braider probably has little to no safety net. If they back out on braiding they may damage their reputation in addition to losing income. If they refer their clients to someone else, they may lose those clients forever. If he right thing to do is to stop these large horse shows and for braiders and other gig workers to be able to collect unemployment which they cannot do as long as their work is available to them. The right thing for these large barns with wealthy client who would be spending a fortune on the show circuit is to collect the money they would have spent on braiding and pay it as a thank you to their regular braider and as an insurance that the braider can stay home, stay healthy, and continue to stay afloat financially so that there are still braiders around when horse shows can safely resume.
Seriously, if you have been exposed to COVID and are awaiting test results, please self quarantine! It is looking possible that you shed the most virus before the onset of symptoms. (And stop letting your kids hug their freaking friends! It’s tough but we have all got to do better!)
I feel for the kids that are heartbroken it sucks and I think USEF should have handled it better. It should have been canceled weeks ago as cases surged all across the US. There isn’t a safe way to bring people from all over the country to one place at this time. It sucks but it is the reality we are living with.
Statement of fact:
I’ve been tested twice so far, just because. Once for the virus, and once for antibodies. Both tests came back negative, but it never occurred to me to quarantine until I got the results, and nobody who administered the tests even mentioned the idea.
I might get tested again if the opportunity presents itself, since there is so much discussion about asymptomatic people who may have the virus without knowing it. I have no desire to be Typhoid Mary, or Virus Vanessa, or whatever. I have no reason to think I have it (knock wood), but I think it’s fairly obvious that anybody can have it these days, whether or not they know it.
https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/Pages/COVID-19-Drive-Thru-Locations.aspx
actually there a some places in Kentucky that offer Covid 19 testing to everyone.
If the picture was taken today (Sunday), technically they were not breaking any USEF rules, since there was no horse show taking place today at Kentucky.
They may have been breaking the rules of common sense, but that is a different issue.
I just read that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is still going to happen. With attendees, vendor, and other people that adds up to 250,000 people, and it goes from 7 August to 16 August, plus all of the travel time there and back. My prediction, is South Dakota will be having a spike soon. Actually, 250k people is half the usual number.
- [B]perhaps check the FB page about the Pony Finals
2020 USEF Pony Finals Connections FB
the braider has posted her timeline Ӣ she did not return to the KHP
she got tested after being exposed
she has a serious medical condition to begin with
thoughts and prayers for all involved in this medical crisis [/B]
But that is the problem. People aren’t using common sense, which is why we’re still seeing huge numbers. If people can’t be trusted to think of the greater good and act responsibly (and there’s more than enough evidence that they can’t at horse shows), then it’s up to those in charge (USEF) to make the call and do what’s best for the community as a whole. Claiming rules to absolve liability without strict and total enforcement is virtually useless as a protective measure.
That we can’t trust others to be careful is precisely why I’m staying home.
Just stopped at a layover facility on my way home. Armed with my masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. They were hosting a 600 horse barrel race for the region. Not a mask, social distance, virus care in the world.
The ire here just feels a little misplaced. But maybe that’s just me.
Many in our barn tested (including me) before we came to the show, to avoid asymptomatic spreading, were careful while we were there, and did our best to continue with something we love while still being respectful. I know it’s not good enough for many.
in regards to Kroger, I saw many with no masks. Locals whose topic of conversation was how they weren’t wearing masks and no one was going to make them.
Lots of people are being selfish and stupid these days. No one has the market cornered
It’s funny because seemingly every public official has called for people to restrict non-essential travel, and yet everyone believes their travel is absolutely essential and definitely no one is talking about them, while simultaneously being a general tool about every other human they encounter in their definitely 100% necessary and essential wanderings.
Good for the braider for speaking out, being forthright and sharing her timeline and what transpired with her. I pray that she has a full and uneventful recovery🙠It sounds like she took the mandated precautions, but sadly contracted the virus nonetheless.
I am curious who the big barn’s ex-client was that refused to leave and purportedly caused a scene.
There is no doubt in my mind that both KHP and USEF were going to go forward with the PF next week. I think when the first positives happened, the health department got wind of them hosting a horse show next week with HUNDREDS of people from out of state and shut them down.
BTW, the CEO sent out an email about this and it is the biggest bunch of crap I’ve ever read.
Last night, US Equestrian and Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the last day of the Kentucky Summer Classic Horse Show and the USEF Pony Finals competition. This decision was not made lightly, but we had to move quickly and decisively in response to circumstances involving multiple COVID-19 positive cases that were reported to competition management within a 24-hour period. While this is understandably a very disappointing decision for the many parents, children, and trainers who were looking forward to competing this week, we must put the safety and welfare of our children, membership, staff, and the community first. We hope that the difficult decision we had to make yesterday will not be one we have to repeat going forward.
While we strive to make decisions regarding cancellations as far in advance as possible, yesterday is a reminder of how quickly situations can change because of this virus, and it serves as a wake-up call to our sport. We know that there are proven steps everyone can take to mitigate the risk of the virus spreading, and it is our individual and collective responsibility to abide by them. These mandatory steps, along with many other important requirements, are outlined in the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan for Competitions. [TABLE=“width: 0”]
[TR]
[TD=“align: left”]”¢[/TD]
[TD=“align: left”]Wear a face mask or cloth face covering at all times when you are on the show grounds unless when mounted on a horse or seated in a horse-drawn carriage or cart;[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=“align: left”]”¢[/TD]
[TD=“align: left”]Practice social distancing of six feet or more;[/TD]
[/TR]
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[TD=“align: left”]”¢[/TD]
[TD=“align: left”]Wash your hands frequently; and[/TD]
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[TD=“align: left”]”¢[/TD]
[TD=“align: left”]Do not access the competition grounds if you have any symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.[/TD]
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[/TABLE]
We are thankful the majority of competition organizers and participants are complying with requirements. However, we continue to address instances of non-compliance at shows – participants not wearing facemasks (or not correctly wearing them), participants congregating without social distancing, and individuals coming to the show when they are experiencing symptoms. Many of these examples of non-compliance are readily visible in photos on social media and reported by our officials. Individuals who are not in compliance need to be reported to organizers and removed from the competition grounds. If an organizer is not enforcing requirements, report this to the USEF.
We can all acknowledge that large-scale gatherings potentially increase the risk of virus transmission. We remind competition organizers that they may limit entries to the competition to manage the concentration of horses and people. Limitations must be in accordance with the USEF Action Plan.
While horse showing is not an essential activity, it is an industry and a beloved sport that we all want to continue in the safest way possible. Please do your part to make certain that equestrian competitions can continue to operate during this pandemic.
To the participants of USEF Pony Finals, we regret this decision was so close to the start of the competition, but please know the decision was made in the best interest of the health and safety of all involved. Let us all learn from this experience and move forward.
Best regards,
William J. Moroney
Chief Executive Officer
You literally had your pony finals COMMITTEE and the USHJA tell you not to do this. The pandemic has been getting worse and worse for weeks. The excuse of “things just change so quickly!” doesn’t fly. Sorry.
I had over a year of personal experience with the CEO many, many years ago (before most people knew his name), and unfortunately nothing he says or does surprises me.
Statement from the braider:
I think it is horrifying that someone in renal failure is compelled to go to work, even leaving aside being a high risk individual during a global pandemic.
That speaks volumes of our failure as a community, both the horse community, and our society.
I had over a year of personal experience with the CEO many, many years ago (before most people knew his name), and unfortunately nothing he says or does surprises me.
Oh wow. So sorry to hear the braider has a serious health condition. Good news so far that she has no symptoms. Prayers for a speedy recovery.
