At the NRHA Derby back in June, the doors to all the barns remained open and were not allowed to be closed. Most barns have AC, but exhibitors were not allowed to close doors. To my knowledge, there have been no positives from the event.
As an exhibitor, yes. But 3/4 pandemic horse shows I’ve been to thus far - only one had all people signing waivers at the entrance and that was Katy. HITS? AIKEN? Never signed a thing cause I never went into the horse show office.
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I have not read every post so I don’t know if I am repeating info but Princeton has people at the show entrance taking temps and you have to sign a paper.
It seems a little ridiculous to have the pony finals when so many other “big shows” have canceled. Locally - some folks may be concerned about out of state people coming in, others may welcome the boon to their local economy. The other thing to consider is that the whole experience will be so stripped down no hooplah to make it a special show…And how much normal showing are these kids doing anyway? I think both Moroney and Greenwood make some valid points to proceed or cancel/postpone. It won’t be the end of the world if these kids can’t show their ponies in finals - there is so much going on right now that is of greater concern. Worrying about taking a kid and their fancy pony to a show vs the heartbroken father who’s just lost his 1 year old to a senseless shooting? That on top of who knows what will be happening in KY in August anyway - increase/decrease in COVID numbers? I think the USEF and USHJA might be better off encouraging local zone or state type finals or championships and call this year a wash.
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I think Pony Finals is a lot different from other horse shows…it is all about the kids and their time to get together, ride, show and celebrate. Not a show I think that could easily be a place to social distance…
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In the province of Ontario, which is huge, 102 new covid were reported this morning. Some of our shows are beginning to run, here is and example of the covid protocol:
http://angelstone.ca/tournaments/202…at-angelstone/
Closed to spectators and masks are mandatory in public spaces.
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I was at a local larger 2 ring schooling show on Saturday. Temp checks for everyone on the driveway. I handed them already signed forms but competitors, trainers could also scan/email or photo/text them. I would assume there were releases available there too.
USEF doesn’t seem to understand the “herding cats” problem posed by having so many children in one place, or the fact that many young people tend to be asymptomatic when infected. Older people are often asymptomatic for several days during which they are highly contagious.
Temperature taking was in place at the racetracks as was mask wearing and Jockeys have become infected.
Most of us understand these issues. Do you suppose USEF is unaware of the facts, or do they realize the risk and believe having a pony show, that may well contribute to the spread of COVID, is somehow justified?
Whatever the case, I think it’s a reckless decision by USEF to ignore the rising rate of COVID infection.
I wonder how effective a release form would be? USHJA is on the record opposing the show and many of the big shows have been cancelled. I would guess that an angry person with a skilled attorney could be a thorn in USEF’s side.
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Yes, I’m sure they sign waivers, however, waivers for 18 and under have been found to be invalid in some states. So the parent can sign a waiver, and then a lawsuit can happen anyway.
Here’s the article about a ruling by the Kentucky Supreme Court for a waiver for a trampoline park, and how it was not going to stop the lawsuit:
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In a typical year, yes. This year will not be a typical year and the show will be very much stripped down. From Moroney "[Pony Finals] won’t be so social this year. The bouncy house village, don’t expect to see it; the VIP, not going to happen. This is going to be a very amenities-stripped-down event. There will be food services, there will be places to go get a drink, there will be some vendors, but the social events, pizza parties, ice cream socials all of those things, right now don’t come expecting any of that."
Is it even reasonable to pull kids in for a finals that haven’t had opportunity to compete that much? Moroney talks about the importance of youth sports which I wholeheartedly agree but why not work with USHJA and put on a good pony final at the zone and/or state level - where there would be less crossing of state borders, and organizers can keep more in line with what is happening in their state as far as mandates and restrictions go. I
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Whatayanuts?!!
Exactly how is a large group of young people, aka kids, going to get together and celebrate and social distance?
The post you quoted is saying that Pony Finals is not a show that includes social distancing because of the type of show it is. In other words, agreeing with you. Not sure why you are calling them nuts.
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Please tell me it has been canceled? Florida and Texas are in dire shape where PPE and intensive care beds are concerned not to mention how tired and defeated the nurses and doctors must feel.
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I don’t think they should hold it this year. But…
The saddest thing about Pony Finals is that canceling it means you might cancel some of these kids’ only chances to compete at it with their current pony.
They can extend the age limit to include those who might age out before next year. But some of these kids outgrow their ponies so fast. A kid could have a good chance of winning ribbons on her small this year, yet be laughably tall for said pony by next year. That’s a bummer for everyone. It’s not worth risking lives, but still a huge disappointment.
It’s sad, but life happens. Perfect Small Pony could take a bad step and go lame, too. Or eat something and colic. No ribbon is worth risking lives for, and disappointment is a part of horse showing. But, I’ll agree, it’s a bummer.
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This article came out yesterday suggesting that kids 10-18 are significant vectors for the virus, based on a large study in South Korea.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/18/h…n-schools.html
In my county, we are having a significant outbreak with a substantial increase in cases. 20% of all cases (and more of the current cases) are in kids all of a sudden, where before there were 0.
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Still on. 
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The correspondence I’ve had with USEF’s Bill Moroney leads me to believe that they won’t cancel Pony Finals unless they are forced to do so by an outside authority.
I hope I’m mistaken in that belief. He states that he believes that the challenges of Pony Finals will be no different than the challenges they are already facing when running other USEF shows.
He seems fine with USEF sanctioning competitions, even in “hot spot areas”. He acknowledges that USEF competitions expose people to risk, at the same time he makes it clear that USEF will take no responsibility for doing so. A very disappointing lack of leadership, in my opinion.
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Mr. Moroney assured me that in April and early May “medical personnel” were consulted.
In my response I have asked if USEF has consulted epidemiologists, not only about how USEF could best mitigate the risk of COVID transmission at their horse shows, but if any epidemiologists and/or public heath officials were asked by USEF about the advisability of having Pony finals at all under the extraordinary circumstances of a pandemic.
I cannot believe that any epidemiologist would think that this is a good idea at this point in time.
I hope that the intelligent COTH people (there are many) who understand how much is still unknown about the COVID 19 virus will email Mr. Moroney and explain why you also believe that the decision to hold Pony Finals this year is a massive error in judgement on USEF’s part.
I am nothing to USEF. Most of you have much more influence than I have, yet I did receive a response.
Emails may have no affect, after all USEF has ignored the collective opinion of the USHJA, but I believe that speaking up is essential. I find it necessary if I am to look at myself in the mirror and like the person that I see. An amiable acquaintance of mine died of COVID 19 this past week.
.
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@skydy I am sorry to hear about your acquaintance.
Meanwhile Kentucky recorded a record number of cases. https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=273
The Blenheim show management in Southern California is allowing zero spectators other than one parent of a minor child. No horse owners who aren’t riding. No spectating at the ring. https://4k9tr.r.a.d.sendibm1.com/mk/mr/XNZIG-Ap6f7ivWe7uZbmReapg43gxjEVGnxiQDyzxZWeCcRg2DLYQ1OK8k1nu9iYBEf1j91AjPqkyJbIGRzvEW1JPyL9FNbkHTP1bkt_Bh8AXg
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