Honestly, not surprising. The show I was referring to was the Split Rock Show. It was a big HJ show and the first post-COVID shut down show KHP had. So those could be the reasons that they were so vigilant about temp taking & check points there and not the breed show. Ive been to multiple USEF HJ shows post-COVID shut down and they were all like you described, except for in Katy, TX where they were a bit more stiff. It’s like herding cats for adults to comply… a ton of kids? YEA RIGHT.
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This was my experience this weekend with the exception that show officials were being very strict about enforcing masks after receiving a warning from USEF. Enforcement was coming from those running the show not the park. Even the state employees checking in horses at the vet stop did not comply with the face mask rule unless checking a trailer.
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@dags I hope that you will share your concerns with the Governor, for the sake of your loved ones and your community. He may not be aware that this particular show is for children and will have entries from all over the U.S.
It would be a shame to have the show begin and then be shut down, after the damage is done.
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His mother and sister-in-law are avid horsewomen. I’m sure he realizes children are involved.
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I think that he may have a lot on his plate at this point in time and may not know the particulars of scheduled horse shows unless they are brought to his attention by his aides.
I could easily be wrong, but I would make my feelings known to his office, if I lived there, anyway. :yes:
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Aren’t the AECs at the horse park too, soon?
It certainly can’t hurt.
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My 2 cents… My mother and I have a pony we bred and raised who qualified this year in the greens. We would LOVE to see him go kick butt there.
That said, they just postponed the 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover. Same venue, 2 months later, mostly adult competitors, less horses, and already more spread out than PF. What RRP is doing is combining the 2020 makeover with the 2021 makeover. They will be judged separately, and I am not sure how the scheduling will go, but I have the utmost faith that it will be well done and absolutely safer. They are calling it the MEGA Makeover and with the way they have rolled it out, I have heard almost 100% positive feedback. I would LOVE to see something similar happen to PF. Make it a bigger party and find ways to include some of kiddos who may be missing out completely (aging out, leases ended, etc). Teach them that civic duty is important but that we can still enjoy ourselves. Childhood is fleeting and kids can’t reason like we adults can, let’s help them understand and deal with this in a positive way.
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According to the Lexington Herald Leader, Kentucky had 371 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, July 7. That’s far fewer than Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, or almost any other state. It will be interesting to see if the state actually allows PF to happen. At the very least, one would expect mandatory quarantine for persons in hot spot states entering Kentucky.
Since it involves so many children, I am on the train to cancel this one. If it was a regular KY Summer horse show I would think otherwise; mainly because I think the adult crowd is much more in-tune with the distancing, masks, etc guidelines.
Adhere to the guidelines and I do not believe there is much risk to anyone. The problem is those who will not adhere to the guidelines.
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US Arabian Youth Nationals is going ahead in OK next week, with a record number of entries. Perhaps this will be the test case of youth shows? I was surprised first that they decided to hold it, and second that so many are interested in going, presumably from all over the country.
Kentucky Horse Shows, which is the show manager for all seven weeks including PF, has released their COVID protocol:
https://files.constantcontact.com/2c…81f12b2755.pdf
The most restrictive I’ve seen so far.
The governor has a news conference planned for today to announce new restrictions as well.
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Our numbers are starting to go the wrong way and TN is a straight-up $hit-show right now. Beshear has announced new mandatory guidelines will be going into place and will be on air today at 4 pm to clarify & explain. Expecting a mask mandate and won’t be surprised if he closes the southern border. Will try to come back & update everyone.
I really don’t want to be the whistle-blower and rat out the industry I work in to our governor. I am also fairly peeved that responsibility is falling into my lap, when USEF is literally headquartered here and should be coordinating this annual pony parade with the state.
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I just read the rules and the number of people they are allowing is ridiculous (yes I realize this is how all the shows are running) . IF they are going to run the show, and I strongly disagree with that decision, they could at least meaningfully cut down on the number of people on the grounds. I know it sounds shocking, but during a pandemic it actually IS possible for a child to groom and take care of their own pony. Likewise, braiding is not an essential activity. Allowing basically unlimited support staff on site and two people to accompany a pony and rider to the ring is ridiculous. Parent, child, trainer- 3 people admitted per pony, and if you can’t make it work then stay home.
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It is certainly possible for a child to groom and take care of their own pony, with or without a pandemic.
But that’s not how it works for a lot of these kids, so it seems like a bit of a stretch to suddenly expect them to do it at one of the most important events on the pony calendar.
I also don’t understand the antipathy that pops up towards braiding. Again, that’s a task that anyone can do for themselves with or without a pandemic, but if an exhibitor doesn’t normally do it, why would they start at this major competition? Especially a competition where a significant portion of the overall score comes from the model class? That sounds like the very worst time for somebody to send a pony in the ring with novice braids. Or no braids.
The braiders seem like the least likely cause of a problem. They usually come and go in the middle of the night, they generally don’t congregate at all, and most of the exhibitors never even see them, much less interact with them.
The rules are clearly written to limit the number of people in the stabling area. So even if the kid typically grooms and tacks up their own pony, they are no allowed in stabling at all this time.
Access to stable area will be restricted to trainers, grooms, competition officials and essential support personnel such as veterinarians, farriers, therapists and braiders
I would imagine that if the kid is their own groom, they will be allowed in the stable area in that capacity. I will be pretty darn surprised if it happens any other way.
It also says this:
Bring horses to rider outside barn area to mount. Use mounting block – no leg up.
So it makes it pretty darn clear that no kids in the stabling area.
Those aren’t just the protocols for PF but for the regular Kentucky shows as well. The first shows back in Wellington had similar language in their protocols, which I find mildly annoying in suggesting I can access the barn only in the capacity as being my own “groom” but not as the owner/rider.
I understand that the intention is to discourage congregating in the barn area but find it speaks somewhat to the perception that everyone shows with big barns with grooms. Everyone at the barn I ride with does their own care and helps each other out, we’ve never had a professional groom.
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I’m pretty sure those are the USEF protocols minus a few additions, and I can tell you that many people outside of the groom, trainer, and staff are at the barns still. There are still set ups and sitting areas at every horse show I’ve been to.
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