Hats off to the crew at River Glen for a great weekend. Everyone had their masks on and nobody complained. You could take it off when you were mounted but then-back on. Great job River Glen and all the participants!! Hope everyone has a safe trip home.
Personally, I found the announcer calling people out for public shaming over the top and uncalled for. “Lady in the green top walking toward stadium you need to put your mask on…yes you, I’m talking to you. It goes over your face, it’s not neckwear.” Then the calling out people over the PA system walking XC in 90 degree heat. The small groups would have been people who traveled in trucks together and shared hotel rooms. The young woman who I was with was at one of her first recognized events and literally got called out by officials driving around the barn area while in her stall grooming her horse. She was mortified. Now she wants to balk on the 3-4 recognized events on our schedule this fall because this just isn’t any fun compared to the schooling shows we’ve been to where people are sensible and wear masks around the office and are happy to social distance when they can instead.
I get that it’s the USEF and not River Glen, but whoever made this decision must be someone who has never walked a XC course in the afternoon sunshine, heat and humidity–conditions highly unfavorable to viral life… And it didn’t help their argument any to see event officials in a bar/restaurant at night either. The point was to flatten the curve, which we’ve done. It’s a pipe dream to think putting people in masks while they are outside is going to make a measurable dent. I get the rules are the rules, but this is our sport and we have a right to rules that re sensible. None of the science out there would support some of these measures.
If it’s worth it to you, have at it. I have antibodies. I wear a mask when I’m inside in public spaces to be considerate of the fears of others even though there is no medical reason for me to do so. Wearing one for 12 hours under those circumstances may be more politeness than I can muster. I’ve got a young horse who can learn as much in schooling situations for the next 6 months as recognized horse trials–so if they aren’t any fun there isn’t really a reason for me to go.
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People wear masks 12+ hours for their jobs (contractors, medical professionals, first responders) in equally hot, humid and with physically challenging jobs. Heck, British horse racing has required jockeys wear masks during races and there are long distance runners who have worn masks for years due to air quality issues.
If I have to wear a mask for 12+ hours to participate in my sport during a global pandemic, I am going to. I’m sorry your friend was mortified @subk but she chose to show during a global pandemic. River Glen was just doing what they needed to do to ensure their show could go on.
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First, you must have missed where I said “I get that it’s the USEF and not River Glen.” I’m sure RG would have preferred running under last month’s rules.
Secondly, my friend chose to show under last month’s rules with little notice of the change or chance to get her money back or time off work back. I think you ought to cut her a break.
Thirdly, thank you for making my point. If I have to wear a mask to put food on my table that’s a pretty obvious choice. If you want to wear a mask for 12 hours to event recognized, as I said, have at it, others will understandably make different choices simply because they can. But the reality is in financially lean times events and shows go under, now add in putting off potential new eventers and those who would rather make different choices than you because they find the requirements unreasonable and unsupported by science. We aren’t doing anything meaningful to fight covid and we are killing events–some of these canceled events (and some that aren’t) won’t be coming back next year. Maybe karma will make one of the defunct ones local to you, but if you don’t mind I’d like to keep the ones near me.
Bless your heart, I am local to you. A newer transplant but would have gone to RG if I and my horse were ready. I was really disappointed that Middle Tennessee HT got canceled.
I hope the mandatory mask wearing and slowing of the virus helps save as many venues as possible nationally and internationally. Please don’t wish a venue closing on anyone. Karma can be a real cow sometimes.
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It won’t. Not only will it not save venues it will cause more to go under than what would have if it were just the economy down turn. We will not under any circumstances–including mask wearing–to be able to compete with zero transmissions which is apparently the goal. It’s a stupid, unrealistic and unreasonable goal.
Let me say it again since you can’t read for comprehension: Masks aren’t going to help anyone in an outdoor situation. Everyone betting on it is a fool. If we have horse shows we will have transmission. Studies are pretty clear that the least likely place you’re going to catch the virus is outdoors, in the sunshine and heat. People are likely safer on horseshow grounds than just about any other public place they could be. But least likely doesn’t mean zero transmissions. We are denying people the safest public places they could possibly be. We’ve allowed perfect to be the enemy of good or better yet perfect to be the enemy of safest possible option.
If anybody had a lick of sense the national policy would have been to encourage and promote getting everybody outside doing outdoor activities this summer, because low risk is a fantastic option right now. Instead we are like stupid sheep following our stupid medical leaders over a cliff. Don’t be a sheep.
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I think the all masks all the time at these events and shows is because it makes it much easier to police the whole situation and it avoids all the congregating of people at the barns that are not wearing a mask.
I should think that most people who traveled in trucks together, that are not also living together, should be wearing a mask while they travel too.
Signed by someone who is volunteering and will have to wear a mask all day while they are out in a field by themselves but is willing to do it because I am willing to do my part in whatever it takes to keep events and shows up and running and one added safety procedure might be just what is required.
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Did it suck to spend all weekend wearing a mask around my husband? You bet. We exchange a lot more than some flying droplets. Did it suck wearing a mask hiking around XC multiple times in the heat and humidity on those hills with my coach? Absolutely, it sucked big time.
Do you know what would suck worse? NOT HAVING EVENTS. I agree that we are safer outdoors, in the sunshine and heat, etc. I’m overall not a fan of all the mask mandating. However, if masks are making those in charge feel better about their liability, or whatever is leading them to make the decision the either green-light or cancel events? Just wear the DAMN MASK.
Signed, someone who will be absolutely heartbroken if AECs are canceled 
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@subk we are just going to have to agree to disagree. I hope you, your family and friends who feel wearing a mask outside is foolish stay safe and stay home!
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Paragraph 1 is why I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to USEA events this year. They are requiring masks when walking XC by yourself? Yeah, I’m not going. My remaining potential events made it easier by one changing to 2x one day formats with no on-site stabling and the other having no food on the grounds.
I thought River Glen did a great job policing the rule as well. I think there was a general fear, or concern, that if we didn’t follow the rules we could be cancelled or affect future competitions. (Would most of us have worn the masks to the extent had the rules, announcers, not been in place? I think my party and those around my stall would not have)
I will admit as a competitor, I definitely felt a bit begrudging to wear the mask 24/7 by the end of the weekend. I encourage everyone to follow the rules as it’s right now, allowing us to continue competing. Did I feel it necessary to wear the mask when I was out on cross-country with my Mom? No. Did we? I’m not going to admit whether we may have let it slipped down below our noses for a few minutes, but we definitely tried our hardest. (There were definitely those called out by others for letting it slip down) I didn’t expect the heat to play the role that it did. The heat was brutal this weekend, enough that I was grateful my horses went earlier in the day or I’d consider not riding. It definitely impacted your general enjoyment, after a few hours breathing in the hot air. (I’m use to wearing the mask inside public places, but it felt like wearing a sweater on my face after a few hours, I was pouring sweat)
Reflecting on the weekend, I think my opinion is a little different than when I started. There were awkward times, for example when we purchased food from the concessions. Do we go eat it in our cars? Am I allowed to let it slip down to drink my water? There were definitely those around eager to inform you if you let your mask was slipped below your nose, so we may have hid to eat our popsicles. It felt counter-intuitive. We wear the masks, yet then everyone is going out of the same porta-potties touching the handle? If this is USEF’s answer so that we may continue competing, I can abide by those rules.
I think some of the discontempt comes from, is the slipping down of the mask during a xc walk, or in my stall, or outside with those I traveled with, protecting those around me? That I’m not 100% sure.
Those are just some reflections for the weekend. Apologies for any thoughts that may come off as shallow or selfish, just thought I would share my general impression while I’m trying to figure out how to proceed.
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The rule is masks when not mounted. Period. This is how we get to have a horse show. Don’t like it? Stay home. Nobody cares about my opinions on effectiveness of wearing a mask while walking xc with my fiance. Or my google science degree. I’m not going to ruin it for everyone else by having a temper tantrum to a clear rule.
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You can’t make exceptions “except when with your husband” “except when walking xc”. That’s just too complicated.
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And no, I don’t see shows “going under” I’m volunteering at a show and they have a record number of entries. Now that things are more defined people are itching to show, and apparently willing to wear a mask when required.
Don’t like it? Stay home. Don’t ruin it for everyone else.
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All of this!
People get sloppy with their masks. Sometimes it’s because they are forgetful. Sometimes it’s because they don’t think they are at risk in that particular moment (which may or may not be true). Sometimes it’s because they just don’t want to wear it.
If you leave wiggle room in the mask rules, people are unfortunately going to accidentally or purposely put themselves in situations where transmission can happen.
It sucks. But if we want life to continue as “normal,” we are going to have to be overbearing with the mask rules until we either have sufficient immunity (from a vaccine) or people are so well conditioned to the practices of mask wearing and social distancing that we don’t mess up.
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In case it gets missed. Read this again.
No one is making people go to shows. Don’t like it? Stay home.
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Sure you can. Plenty of places have orders for masks “when unable to stay 6 feet away from others.” Most horse shows don’t have cross country and who knows if anyone at USEF knows XC exists? Maybe it was all decided by dressage and H/J and saddleseat and Arabian people? Staying 10 feet away from other people on a XC walk is NOT difficult. Jump judges also should not have to wear masks out there. And I already said I’m not going to events with this nonsense in place.
Have some food for thought.
https://www.conservativereview.com/n…n4NFCq7taPiuOA
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And it’s perhaps because of people like you who can’t see beyond themselves that AEC has been canceled.
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The Arabian people are having to do in hand classes with masks on, so it probably wasn’t them. I’m not interested in reading a conservative opinion. It doesn’t change the current rules and I am volunteering because my sport needs me now more than ever, masks or not.
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This made me giggle. It says quite a bit more about you than whatever thing you do not want to read.
This I totally agree with. I am not looking forward to wearing a mask outside all day in August, but I am still volunteering. I can not imagine anyone likes wearing a face covering outside when it is sunny, hot, and humid. Sometimes Adulting means we do things that are less than our personal ideal.
I plan to bring a pile of masks so if I need to I can change my mask when one gets sweaty and gross. And heck, with a mask on I do not have to slime sun screen on my face. That is a for sure positive side. (Yuck, hate the way sun screen feels on my face.)
Another positive - with a mask on the smell of the portapotty will be less obvious. That is for sure a win.
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Whatever. I have no interest in reading someone’s political talking point. Or how They think it’s all the fault of the Arabian horse people that they have to wear a mask at a horse trial.
The rule is the rule. I don’t care if someone thinks it’s a huge political conspiracy. One bit. Wear a damn mask at usef events or stay home. Don’t make everyone’s life miserable by sharing your politics.
I’m so tired of being stuck between one group that thinks it’s a political plot and another group that thinks we should be barricaded into our own homes.
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Your sport may need you, but they treat you like you are a stupid moron. And you let them. Sheep.
You think if you just follow the rules, whatever those rules may be, that they’ll let you continue to show. They could tell you the rule is to drop your pants and sing a song and you’d do it even though it won’t change transmission rates and then when there is transmission (the acceptable threshold is zero so there will be too many transmissions) they’ll shut you down anyway…and then probably blame you for not singing loud enough. Having stupid requirements that aren’t based on science aren’t going protect anyone from either the virus or lawsuits. Nor is following them going to keep events running.
A little science and common sense from our over lords sure would go a long way, about now. There is no substantial science that even looks at masks (or social distancing) as it pertains to suppressing viral transmissions while outside. Why? One reason is because the smart people who study these things see so few transmissions that likely happen outside that nobody has even thought it beneficial to study. Why do these smart people see so few transmissions? First there is UV light. The biggest source of UV light is sunshine and we have known that sunlight is a very effective disinfectant for over a hundred years. Yes, it kills coronavirus–in one study in the virus survived less than 3 minutes when exposed to UV light. Even without the benefits of UV light from the sun, studies are showing that heat kills it too. A few hours once you get to 70 and much faster as you increase the heat and/or humidity. That effects of sunlight, heat and humidity are so significant in killing virus (75 degrees, 80% humidity plus sunlight and virus died in under 2 minutes in one study) is another reason no one has done an outdoor study on masks–they can’t actually keep the virus alive long enough and control all the different variable that kill it to do a study outdoors. But sure, if the USEF wants you to hop on one leg to fight the virus, ya’ll go right ahead. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Just remember that every time you throw your leg over a saddle you are accepting risk. The average eventer–young, healthy, fit–doesn’t die from this thing any more than they die from the flu. (More flu deaths in the under 40 crowd in my state this year than from covid.) There’s a jump somewhere out on course that is a greater potential risk to your wellbeing than covid. People need to get a grip, reject the hysteria, move on from the fear and accept some risk. And if it’s a level of risk you can’t accept then isolate and hope the mental health demons don’t get you. (They may already have.) The USEF needs to get back to the business rule oversight and let us manage our own tolerance of risk.
And no, you guys don’t have to worry about me ruining it for the rest of your because I’m not interested running their gauntlet. I won’t be there. I’m a rules follower by nature and won’t go if the rules are too stupid for people with a functioning front lobe to follow. And when enough of us won’t be there because we refuse to let the USEF treat us like morons then there really won’t be any more events. I did think the desperate follow up email from the USEA today encouraging people to keep their entries at other events was telling and ominous.
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