COTH Pony Finals Article

[Belmont]

@Madison

COTH article about this makes clear that the 14 day quarantine upon return to NY drove the decision.https://www.chronofhorse.com/article…-championships

"We were very on the fence given the situation,” said Griffith. “We were enjoying training at home and going places that were an hour to two hours from the farm. We had been sort of watching the seven-day rolling average. Last Tuesday was the last day to make your decision to get your stalls back. We made an educated guess that Kentucky was going to be on the list, and sure enough it was. For us to go there and have to quarantine coming home, and not be able to come to the barn and enjoy our horses, would have been difficult. We would like to follow the rules and the protocols, which we feel like we’ve been doing. If we go there we’ll be really low on staff that is allowed to do what they need to do to keep it all running.”

Along with the fact that PF is stripped down this year.

Brianne Goutal has also announced her decision not to go. I’m sure for the same reasons though she cites COVID safety concerns.

Lexington just had its highest cause numbers. 5 new deaths… just Lex…

[Jersey_Fresh]

@Blinky

Some of you that do not live in KY and are not even in the group of going/not going seem to be spending alot of time on trying to shut this show down. ?

I’m based Lexington (and close to the KHP) so yeah, I have a vested interest in this. I’m glad others do too though I doubt USEF will do a thing but turn a blind eye to all of this.

I absolutely do not think these shows should run. I think it’s completely insane and I worry about the repercussions on our public health-we have 4 national finals happening in the next 30 days and we our cases are rising before they bring in people from all over to stay in our hotels, shop in our stores, and eat in our restaurants. They all stay in the area where I live so yeah, I’m worried.

[AffirmedHope]

@Blinky

Some of you that do not live in KY and are not even in the group of going/not going seem to be spending alot of time on trying to shut this show down. ?

Weird, we don’t want people from our communities to go mingle with hundreds of people from states with high rates, and then come back around all of us.

I am shocked with how fast it’s spreading in KY that the governor hasn’t shut massive events like this already.

[AffirmedHope]

@ghst13

USEF just updated their requirements to mandate use of facemasks at all times when not mounted/driving a carriage/cart. No more allowance for not wearing a mask while social distancing. I don’t know that enforcement will get any better…
[TABLE=“width: 0”]
[TR]
[TD=“bgcolor: #ffffff”]Dear USEF Members and Competition Organizers (Licensees and Managers),

We are nearly two full months into a return to competition. While we are all grateful for the opportunity to enjoy competing again, the challenges and risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic remain part of our daily lives. Governors are beginning to pull back or even reverse reopening initiatives in several states as positivity rates are increasing.

We truly appreciate the diligence and cooperation of participants and organizers who have gone above and beyond to ensure the health and safety of their competition communities by adhering to the various state and local requirements, as well as the requirements and recommendations outlined in the USEF Action Plan for Licensed Competitions. However, USEF has received reports of non-compliance with and non-enforcement of the Action Plan. Every instance of non-compliance and non-enforcement not only endangers the health and safety of your fellow participants, but also threatens our ability to continue having competitions in this extremely tenuous environment.

The ability to keep competitions operating depends on every one of us, individually and collectively. It hinges on our cooperative participation in efforts to control the spread of the virus.

With that in mind, effective immediately, USEF mandates the use of face masks/face coverings at all times while on the competition grounds except when mounted on a horse or driving a horse-drawn carriage or cart. The USEF Action Plan update, released yesterday, reflects this strengthened mandate.

In addition to the updated face mask/face covering requirement, USEF expects that:
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD=“align: left”]”¢[/TD]
[TD=“align: left”]All participants will adhere to, and all competition organizers will enforce, social distancing requirements at all times while on competition grounds.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=“align: left”]”¢[/TD]
[TD=“align: left”]Competition organizers will restrict access to competition grounds in accordance with state and local travel and quarantine restrictions.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=“align: left”]”¢[/TD]
[TD=“align: left”]During a competition, Stewards and Technical Delegates will report non-compliance to competition management, and individuals who continue to demonstrate non-compliance with social distancing or mask/face covering requirements will be promptly removed from the competition grounds by competition management.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=“align: left”]”¢[/TD]
[TD=“align: left”]Stewards and Technical Delegates will document and include in their report to the USEF all incidents of non-compliance, so that USEF can address any deficiencies.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
We all share the enormous responsibility of doing our utmost to maintain a safe competition environment. It is no easy task. It can sometimes be uncomfortable, even unpleasant. However, in this significantly altered environment, these steps are necessary to keep our competitions as safe as possible and keep them operating. We cannot lose sight of the wide-reaching and devastating impacts facing our industry that would result from competitions being shut down due to failure to comply with mitigation efforts. If you are unwilling or unable to adhere to the COVID-19 requirements mandated by USEF or state and local agencies, please stay home and refrain from attending or operating USEF-recognized events until the pandemic resolves.

We continue to monitor and assess the pandemic impact, and we will keep you informed of any updates to our position as circumstances warrant or as instructed by the government and public health authorities.

The safety and welfare of our members and their horses remains our top priority, and everyone must do their part and take every step necessary to keep fellow competitors as safe and healthy as possible and to keep the competition environment open.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Considering I just saw a bunch of photos of people posing on Instagram at the horse park without masks on, safe to say it is all talk.

[eosinophil]

@snaffle1987

you and I are on the same page. I wear a mask. I socially distance. I dont really wash my hands like crazy; I prefer to keep my immune system strong. I havent been to any social events besides a 6 person campfire and we were all spread out. I will still go to shows and follow the rules.

As an immunologist, i’m curious about your statement referring to keeping your immune system “strong”. Is this meant to refer to the hygiene hypothesis? That, of course, refers to the development of inappropriate Th2 immune responses, not whether the immune system is “strong”, and despite decades of research, we are still unclear as to why rural living (as an example) is associated with a lower incidence of atopy. Is there a literature of which i am unaware that suggests efficiency of either the innate or adaptive immune responses is related to frequency of handwashing?

Wash your hands.

Eosinophil

edited to add: And yes, pony finals is not a good idea, IMHO.

[AffirmedHope]

@ghst13

USEF just updated their requirements to mandate use of facemasks at all times when not mounted/driving a carriage/cart. No more allowance for not wearing a mask while social distancing. I don’t know that enforcement will get any better… [TABLE=“width: 0”]
[TR]
[TD=“bgcolor: #ffffff”]Dear USEF Members and Competition Organizers (Licensees and Managers),

		We are nearly two full months into a return to competition. While we are all grateful for the opportunity to enjoy competing again, the challenges and risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic remain part of our daily lives. Governors are beginning to pull back or even reverse reopening initiatives in several states as positivity rates are increasing.

		We truly appreciate the diligence and cooperation of participants and organizers who have gone above and beyond to ensure the health and safety of their competition communities by adhering to the various state and local requirements, as well as the requirements and recommendations outlined in the <a href="http://links.usef.mkt7856.com/ctt?ms=MTc2NDYxNDUS1&kn=3&r=MjkwNjkxOTU2NzUwS0&b=0&j=MTkyMjE5OTk0MgS2&mt=1&rt=0">USEF Action Plan for Licensed Competitions</a>. However, USEF has received reports of non-compliance with and non-enforcement of the Action Plan. Every instance of non-compliance and non-enforcement not only endangers the health and safety of your fellow participants, but also threatens our ability to continue having competitions in this extremely tenuous environment.

		The ability to keep competitions operating depends on every one of us, individually and collectively. It hinges on our cooperative participation in efforts to control the spread of the virus.

With that in mind, effective immediately, USEF mandates the use of face masks/face coverings at all times while on the competition grounds except when mounted on a horse or driving a horse-drawn carriage or cart. The USEF Action Plan update, released yesterday, reflects this strengthened mandate.

		In addition to the updated face mask/face covering requirement, USEF expects that: 			[TABLE]

[TR]
[TD=“align: left”]”¢[/TD]
[TD=“align: left”]All participants will adhere to, and all competition organizers will enforce, social distancing requirements at all times while on competition grounds.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=“align: left”]”¢[/TD]
[TD=“align: left”]Competition organizers will restrict access to competition grounds in accordance with state and local travel and quarantine restrictions.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=“align: left”]”¢[/TD]
[TD=“align: left”]During a competition, Stewards and Technical Delegates will report non-compliance to competition management, and individuals who continue to demonstrate non-compliance with social distancing or mask/face covering requirements will be promptly removed from the competition grounds by competition management.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=“align: left”]”¢[/TD]
[TD=“align: left”]Stewards and Technical Delegates will document and include in their report to the USEF all incidents of non-compliance, so that USEF can address any deficiencies.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
We all share the enormous responsibility of doing our utmost to maintain a safe competition environment. It is no easy task. It can sometimes be uncomfortable, even unpleasant. However, in this significantly altered environment, these steps are necessary to keep our competitions as safe as possible and keep them operating. We cannot lose sight of the wide-reaching and devastating impacts facing our industry that would result from competitions being shut down due to failure to comply with mitigation efforts. If you are unwilling or unable to adhere to the COVID-19 requirements mandated by USEF or state and local agencies, please stay home and refrain from attending or operating USEF-recognized events until the pandemic resolves.

		We continue to monitor and assess the pandemic impact, and we will keep you informed of any updates to our position as circumstances warrant or as instructed by the government and public health authorities.

		The safety and welfare of our members and their horses remains our top priority, and everyone must do their part and take every step necessary to keep fellow competitors as safe and healthy as possible and to keep the competition environment open.[/TD]
	[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Considering I just saw a bunch of photos of people posing on Instagram at the horse park without masks on, safe to say it is all talk.

[skydy]

@eosinophil

As an immunologist, i’m curious about your statement referring to keeping your immune system “strong”. Is this meant to refer to the hygiene hypothesis? That, of course, refers to the development of inappropriate Th2 immune responses, not whether the immune system is “strong”, and despite decades of research, we are still unclear as to why rural living (as an example) is associated with a lower incidence of atopy. Is there a literature of which i am unaware that suggests efficiency of either the innate or adaptive immune responses is related to frequency of handwashing?

Wash your hands.

Eosinophil

edited to add: And yes, pony finals is not a good idea, IMHO.

Thank you @eosinophil . I was hoping you’d show up.

It seems that some folks won’t take this pandemic seriously until they get the phone call about their dead friend or relative. So far, I’ve lost one amiable acquaintance to the virus. A dear friend of mine has lost 3 friends in New York.

Hopefully Kentucky will shut it down, but they shouldn’t have to. We should have more responsible leadership.

I have heard the same thing from USEF three times now. (Paraphrasing) The health and safety of our members is USEF’s highest priority.

I beg to differ. If that were true, USEF wouldn’t be sanctioning a pony show that will attract so many children to Kentucky from out of state in the middle of a pandemic.

[skydy]

Grrr. stuck in "unapproved’ limbo again.

[MHM]

@AffirmedHope

Considering I just saw a bunch of photos of people posing on Instagram at the horse park without masks on, safe to say it is all talk.

Were the pictures from today? The new guidelines just took effect this morning.

[Denali6298]

@MHM

Were the pictures from today? The new guidelines just took effect this morning.

I love how people need guidelines to prevent themselves from becoming Typhoid Mary.

The country: a complete dumpster fire

the horse world: what I have to wear a mask at my horse show that I traveled several states to be at???

[AffirmedHope]

@MHM

Were the pictures from today? The new guidelines just took effect this morning.

Looked like it, but even if not, they were standing within a couple of feet of each other and should have been wearing masks under the old guidelines.

[mbhorse]

@Indy

I’m sure the 14 day quarantine period on return to NY has something to do with their decision, but regardless it’s good to see one of the big barns pulling out from the event and making a public statement about it (instead of just quietly not being there).

Good for Heritage, whether or not it has to do with the 14 return quarantine!! But a lot of people who just want to go to PF, Covid be damned, need to realize that if they ignore the 14 day quarantine period post PF, they could likely be called out as a result of professional photographers, Instagram, FB, etc. Some may not care about their reputation, but others definitely will, especially in this time of a global pandemic.

[skydy]

@skydy

Thank you @eosinophil . I was hoping you’d show up.

It seems that some folks won’t take this pandemic seriously until they get the phone call about their dead friend or relative. So far, I’ve lost one amiable acquaintance to the virus. A dear friend of mine has lost 3 friends in New York.

Hopefully Kentucky will shut it down, but they shouldn’t have to. We should have more responsible leadership.

I have heard the same thing from USEF three times now. (Paraphrasing) The health and safety of our members is USEF’s highest priority.

I beg to differ. If that were true, USEF wouldn’t be sanctioning a pony show that will attract so many children to Kentucky from out of state in the middle of a pandemic.

Perhaps I can quote myself and not have to write it again…

[Belmont]

@AffirmedHope

Looked like it, but even if not, they were standing within a couple of feet of each other and should have been wearing masks under the old guidelines.

The new guidelines are the same guidelines that have been at KHP. I honestly feel like that’s part of the reason USEF made the tweak, because people who were getting yelled at in the barn aisle alone for no masks were all saying the whole “USEF rules say I can have my mask down when I’m alone…” but yes - when mask police aren’t around many don’t adhere. Which is why compliance has always been my concern.

[Peggy]

@Belmont

The new guidelines are the same guidelines that have been at KHP. I honestly feel like that’s part of the reason USEF made the tweak, because people who were getting yelled at in the barn aisle alone for no masks were all saying the whole “USEF rules say I can have my mask down when I’m alone…” but yes - when mask police aren’t around many don’t adhere. Which is why compliance has always been my concern.

Agree that it’s much more black and white that you need a mask whenever not riding or driving. Officials don’t have to guesstimate whether folks are >6’ apart or assess if they’re part of a family unit or other pod.

[snaffle1987]

So Heritage isnt supporting PF but they and their uber rich clientele have no issue supporting other shows theyve been attending in the midst of a pandemic. Got It.

No one seems to have any issue with the massive hunter/jumper shows being held at the KHP right now. Suddenly because PF is strictly for kids its a massive issue, but if those kids are showing at some other huge show amongst adults; everyone turns a blind eye?

You do you. If you do not want to get sick. Don’t attend. For those that go; they can make the personal decision to do so and we can all hope they adhere to quarantine rules for their state when they return. If its not your family attending the show; then turn the other cheek. It’s none of your business.

The new rules set forth by USEF appear to be much more “to the point”. Maybe now show officials and attendees will take it seriously or get excused from the grounds or the like. if you cant follow the guidelines; you should not be there.

[trubandloki]

@snaffle1987

So Heritage isnt supporting PF but they and their uber rich clientele have no issue supporting other shows theyve been attending in the midst of a pandemic. Got It.

No one seems to have any issue with the massive hunter/jumper shows being held at the KHP right now. Suddenly because PF is strictly for kids its a massive issue, but if those kids are showing at some other huge show amongst adults; everyone turns a blind eye?

You do you. If you do not want to get sick. Don’t attend. For those that go; they can make the personal decision to do so and we can all hope they adhere to quarantine rules for their state when they return. If its not your family attending the show; then turn the other cheek. It’s none of your business.

The new rules set forth by USEF appear to be much more “to the point”. Maybe now show officials and attendees will take it seriously or get excused from the grounds or the like. if you cant follow the guidelines; you should not be there.

I must have read different threads than you, this one included.

I think most people are saying that the big championship type shows, that bring in people from all over the country, should not be happening. Pony finals is the main topic of this thread but the other big shows are talked about.

[skydy]

@snaffle1987

So Heritage isnt supporting PF but they and their uber rich clientele have no issue supporting other shows theyve been attending in the midst of a pandemic. Got It.

No one seems to have any issue with the massive hunter/jumper shows being held at the KHP right now. Suddenly because PF is strictly for kids its a massive issue, but if those kids are showing at some other huge show amongst adults; everyone turns a blind eye?

You do you. If you do not want to get sick. Don’t attend. For those that go; they can make the personal decision to do so and we can all hope they adhere to quarantine rules for their state when they return. If its not your family attending the show; then turn the other cheek. It’s none of your business.

The new rules set forth by USEF appear to be much more “to the point”. Maybe now show officials and attendees will take it seriously or get excused from the grounds or the like. if you cant follow the guidelines; you should not be there.

QFP

[vxf111]

@snaffle1987

So Heritage isnt supporting PF but they and their uber rich clientele have no issue supporting other shows theyve been attending in the midst of a pandemic. Got It.

No one seems to have any issue with the massive hunter/jumper shows being held at the KHP right now. Suddenly because PF is strictly for kids its a massive issue, but if those kids are showing at some other huge show amongst adults; everyone turns a blind eye?

You do you. If you do not want to get sick. Don’t attend. For those that go; they can make the personal decision to do so and we can all hope they adhere to quarantine rules for their state when they return. If its not your family attending the show; then turn the other cheek. It’s none of your business.

The new rules set forth by USEF appear to be much more “to the point”. Maybe now show officials and attendees will take it seriously or get excused from the grounds or the like. if you cant follow the guidelines; you should not be there.

Heritage made it clear they were showing but staying local. That’s a whole different ball of wax than a show attracting people from all over the country. It may also be unwise (I tend to think it is) but that’s an entirely different kind of risk to the community hosting the show than a show attracting people from all over the country, including outbreak hotspots. This is doubly true when there’s no good way of enforcing whether out of staters quarantine or follow the rules.

I can understand why people in Lexington don’t want non locals converging on their town. I don’t want a bunch of people from Florida, Arizona, Nevada, etc. converging on mine. We’ve all got it bad enough as it is with our own community spread. The last thing we need is to compound it by importing potential spreaders from areas with higher community spread. And a lot of the horsey areas are places that have a lot more community spread than Lexington right now.

I think we all have an interest in what our governing organizations do/say/support. I pay USEF money with my membership fees. Whether I’m going to pony finals or living in KY, I think I am entitled to have opinions about whether USEF is using my money and taking the organization in a direction I support.

[Pennywell_Bay]

@snaffle1987

So Heritage isnt supporting PF but they and their uber rich clientele have no issue supporting other shows theyve been attending in the midst of a pandemic. Got It.

No one seems to have any issue with the massive hunter/jumper shows being held at the KHP right now. Suddenly because PF is strictly for kids its a massive issue, but if those kids are showing at some other huge show amongst adults; everyone turns a blind eye?

You do you. If you do not want to get sick. Don’t attend. For those that go; they can make the personal decision to do so and we can all hope they adhere to quarantine rules for their state when they return. If its not your family attending the show; then turn the other cheek. It’s none of your business.

The new rules set forth by USEF appear to be much more “to the point”. Maybe now show officials and attendees will take it seriously or get excused from the grounds or the like. if you cant follow the guidelines; you should not be there.

1. People in KY DO have some issue, but currently most are “local” ish people. Not people coming from hot spots all over
2. They don’t have 600 KIDS running around, and their families

I say this as someone who has shown lately at WEC. Masks were enforced. People were asked to leave (one of the owners in our barn as a matter of fact). Kids did an OK job with supervision and COVID police running around. And there were what- not even 100 juniors and it was still a logistical nightmare to enforce.

Your attitude “it isn’t your business” is why this is such an issue. No- you shouldn’t come from a hot spot. Yes- be concerned for your neighbor, your barn mate, your community.

You are a seriously misguided individual.