Bromont plans to run despite Canada’s COVID crisis

[Marigold]

@JenJ

I am so disappointed to see one particular rider on the entry list. I thought that individual would have exercised better judgment.

There is a lot to discuss about the way this has been handled, but assuming they are doing so in a COVID-safe way (masking, distancing, being as vaccinated as possible, staying in appropriate accommodation, planning to eat privately instead of in local public spaces, etc), what about the riders themselves attending shows poor judgement?

No comment on the cancellation/un-cancellation or the apparent exclusion of some riders - I don’t pretend to understand how this situation came to be, so best that I don’t speak on that. But again, assuming they are following all appropriate protocol, I don’t understand why riders who are able to go are showing poor judgement.

[ghst13]

Have you reached out to FEI? There was an incident with some show jumping competitions in France where FEI annulled results of the competitions (although they lost the case on appeal).

FEI Loses Court Case, Sri Lanka Reclaims Olympic Show Jumping Berth

[Jealoushe]

I have spoken via email to the FEI director for EC. He recommended a person reach out but that EC person has not answered the why question as in why it was private and why others were not given a chance to enter. Now the lack of response makes it even more bothersome.

I’ve also asked said person on FB and the response was well they posted it on their own Fb page. So I guess if you’re weren’t FB friends with this individual you are SOL.

[subk]

I don’t get it.

Cases have plummeted in Quebec. No deaths in the last 48 hours. Over 67% of the population have had their first vaccination (which has close to 85% efficacy!) Other professional sports beginning to be allowed entry. Comparative data from last year indicates that you are beginning a period of extremely low spread even without vaccines. Evidence building from all over the world that lockdowns are ineffective to stop the spread. Do you guy even want to get back to normal?

I mean I get that something underhanded is going on, but it’s going on because the prevaling sentiment up there. From a southern state that hasn’t had any restrictions in almost a year and whose citizens have been allowed to live basically unrestricted without a comparatively bad outcome for the last year I’m totally not comprehending the love and faith in lockdowns.

Why not be happy about Bromont running? At least the concept of normality if not the sneaky process?

Quebec reports zero coronavirus deaths in past 48 hours as new cases remain...

[JenJ]

@subk

Over 67% of the population have had their first vaccination (which has close to 85% efficacy!)

my understanding is that the first shot has very limited protection against the Delta (first found in India) variant. that is now the dominant strain in much of Ontario. the 2nd shot is critical for protection against this far more contagious and deadly variant.

while we are now receiving enough vaccine and quickly proceeding with 2nd shots, we have a very low percentage of Canadians who are fully vaccinated

Quebec may be far ahead of Ontario which moved to “stage 1” re opening today. In Ontario starting today, we have restaurant patios open, all retail stores open at 15% capacity, outdoor gym classes, outdoor gatherings of 10 people allowed.

Ontario re opened too fast when the 2nd wave appeared to be levelling out. then we were hit with the third, variant driven, wave. hospitals were swamped with younger people who contracted one of the variants and spent weeks or months in critical care … or died.

I wonder whether residents of Quebec want all these riders, coaches, grooms, vets, etc from Ontario, coming to Quebec for a sporting event.

[brindille]

Well Colleen Loach obviously did, and according to Jamie Kellock’s social media she did too (yes, I’m naming them. Because if you compete all over the place and then come across the border for an exclusive secret equestrian event when hardly anyone is fully vaccinated, you deserve to get named imho).

[seriously1]

I am only seeing Jamie compete at the Eventing kindie that was a couple of weeks ago here in Ontario? What are you seeing?

Agreed, that Colleen was well traveled this year. Although, to be fair, I thought she was based just outside of Montreal?

[skydy]

@JenJ

my understanding is that the first shot has very limited protection against the Delta (first found in India) variant. that is now the dominant strain in much of Ontario. the 2nd shot is critical for protection against this far more contagious and deadly variant.

This is correct. Too many people think that one dose will protect them, and it isn’t true.

[subk]

It’s like you guys have your fingers in your ears and are humming so you won’t have to listen to good news.

One dose IS protective. Just not AS protective. What’s more “protective” is that cases are dropping like a rock and are already to levels not seen since late last summer.

[skydy]

People are reading the news, that’s all. 33% effective is not good enough.
https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1346

[brindille]

I follow her on social media - she was in Florida

[leheath]

@subk

From a southern state that hasn’t had any restrictions in almost a year and whose citizens have been allowed to live basically unrestricted without a comparatively bad outcome for the last year

I think your standard for a bad outcome may significantly differ from what most Canadians consider as a bad outcome.

@subk

Over 67% of the population have had their first vaccination (which has close to 85% efficacy!)

The efficacy you quote is for the original Covid variant and the two main vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) have not been shown to be as effective against some of the newer variant after only one shot.

My 76 yo parents in BC were only eligible for, and received, their second shot Thursday. Canada primarily prioritized vaccine distribution by age so I’m guessing most active eventers are not yet eligible for their second shot in many parts of the country. The situation is significantly different than in the US where second shots were not delayed and pretty much anyone who wants to be vaccinated has been able to obtain both shots by now in most states.

[BigMama1]

@brindille

Well Colleen Loach obviously did, and according to Jamie Kellock’s social media she did too (yes, I’m naming them. Because if you compete all over the place and then come across the border for an exclusive secret equestrian event when hardly anyone is fully vaccinated, you deserve to get named imho).

Aren’t they both Canadians? Even if they haven’t been based here this spring (and I don’t know if they were) Canadians are always allowed to re-enter their own country. And as competition for elite athletes can be considered part of their job / ie essential travel, they can be expected from the quarantine rules with certain precautions in place. Same for any FEI officials from other countries who come here to work at the event.

[BigMama1]

@subk

One dose IS protective. Just not AS protective. What’s more “protective” is that cases are dropping like a rock and are already to levels not seen since late last summer.

30% effective against a variant that is more infectious and causes more serious illness more quickly in more patients is NOT protected.

[subk]

Do you get a flu vaccine? They typically are around 50% effective in a good year. And yet, there have been 34 cases of the variant in Quebec. 34. In Quebec. Where the event is running.

As far as good outcomes, you guys know that economic distress and lock downs kill, right? Some estimates in the US are suggesting that over the longer term, life loss (or lost life years) will be much more devastating than our covid death count. Delayed diagnosis, delayed treatments, alcohol and drug abuse, suicides, abuse, violence, etc. That doesn’t even count the known effects of life loss and poor health outcomes that are strongly associated to economic downturn. We don’t even know yet what horrible long term results will be the fallout–especially to at-risk kids–to closing schools for a year. So when you say our US standards are different, you betcha they are! Some of us have a long term planning horizon.

But yeah, none of that is my point. You guys sound like you don’t ever want to go back to normal.

[Jealoushe]

Ok let’s get some things straight. When Bromont was planning on running and this thread was started it wasn’t this weekend but weeks ago when our Country was in a bad position.

Things have changed and yes we are way better now.

The issue has changed. Bromont was moved to this weekend.

Little Bromont was cancelled so it could run.

Then a select few UL riders and their students were advised the entries were open so they could enter and the event was closed 2 days later.

No one else in Quebec or Ontario was advised.

Don’t the Quebec riders who have all their events cancelled deserve an entry in the Training?

Don’t the Ontario FEI riders who need or want qualifications get a chance to enter?

I understand Olympic hopefuls getting auto entry, but on multiple horses? And these riders taking up the Training spots while those LL riders who fund the entire sport in Canada get denied.

Doesn’t sit well, doesn’t seem right. Shady.

[LadyB]

I want events to run, we proved last year that they could run successfully and safely. It’s not the fact Bromont DID run, its the fact that it was to select riders and students. There was no option to others to go run a training or a 2*.

Its the principle of the matter, an event ran, an FEI and EC Sanctioned event ran, with zero knowledge to most riders until literally a few days before it was running. You think this is ok? This doesn’t put a bad taste in your mouth?
If you’re ok with secrets and special invites, then you’re part of the problem. This event could’ve had more entries, or made more money to fund the event. $21k in entries is not going to cover that event at all.

A post from the Secretary on facebook is not how you let the public know events are open. Why wasn’t an email sent out for riders to have options? At least give riders the option to enter. That’s where I have an issue, where is the transparency?

ETA: IF this was listed as a special event for selection only, then I could understand that, but sure doesn’t seem like the case.

[JenJ]

I agree with everything Jealoushe and LadyB said.

If it was a special event for selection / qualification, they only needed JP her potential horse(s) to compete. Although, in the advanced division, that was effectively the case. She rode 5 of the 7 horses who completed the event.

Colleen withdrew both her horses before XC. She is almost a certain to be one of the two spots and did not need this event.

I cannot begin to imagine what it cost to prepare a 3* and 2* course for a total of 12 horses.

[Jealoushe]

Yes and the results were hardly impressive. I’m going to be really upset when Karl gets bumped.

[JenJ]

I was negative about Karl as a Tokyo choice, after his horrific fall at Rolex, but have since changed my mind.

I wonder whether Bromont XC was “easy” for the level.
only 3 of the combined 2*, 3*, and advanced entries had any jumping penalties.

I haven’t been there in about 10 years, but i don’t recall it as a twisty course that would make the time particularly difficult to make, so why so many large time penalties unless many were treating this as a training run.