If any of you feel you are risking your life, why are you there? What is your point in going to a show?
Not trolling, just interested in motives if you are afraid for your lives?
Perhaps you are unaware of the fact that many people (such as stewards) earn a living by working at shows.
Perhaps you are unaware that many people these days are, in fact, risking their lives on a daily basis in order to earn a living.
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Some of the shows in my area are limiting entrance to the show to two people per horse + the rider. Trainer, and one parent for riders under 18 are in addition. Seems to be working well. They had several people on golf carts dedicated to COVID enforcement.
As for the actual enforcement, I think some patience and understanding on both sides is appreciated. Riders/attendees need to follow the rules, and understand that even if there is an accidental slip up, the reminder may not be super gentle as the enforcement crew is literally doing this all.day.long, and sometimes dealing with rude/non-compliant responses. There certainly are people who are trying to be a bit cute about the rules. At the same time, patience/understanding is certainly appreciated on behalf of those enforcing the rules as this isnāt second nature quite yet.
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I always used to laugh when people talked about the American Death Cult, and then we had people lining up to buy hamburgers when Mad Cow Disease was a thing because no one is going to tell THEM they canāt eat meat! Even if it might destroy their brain! I never thought Iād be living in āIdiocracy,ā and yet here we are.
Just wear a mask if you are at a show. If you canāt or wonāt do that, donāt inflict yourself on the rest of us, and donāt be surprised if you are treated like a bad child and yelled at for non-compliance. Sheesh.
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Saw on FB: I used to say āavoid it like the plagueāĀ but now I realize people donāt actually do that.
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I know better than to feed the trolls but Iāll bite: I donāt fear for my life, as I had covid this spring. The odds of me getting it again, at an outdoor horse show, in an area with some of the lowest transmission in the country are very very slim. My trainer makes most of her actual profit for the year off showing & day fees and was comfortable going; I wanted to support her business and the show facility. Their income has taken a hit, mine has not, and I am at very little risk of getting sick again. If I had not already been sick, and especially if I was in a hotspot, I wouldnāt have gone.
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WIHS et al that were to take place in Tampa have been cancelled (again) and USEF is looking for a new venue for the Medal finals, Junior Jumpers, etcā¦ 
USEF says the decision will be made no later than August 19th.
They are also planning to move Zone 3 finals and the WIHS regional show to Morven Park in VA instead of the Prince Georgeās Equestrian Center. Maryland Horse and Pony has also relocated from PGEC to Lexington VA. Yet, Capital Challenge is still scheduled at PGEC and no word from management on alternatives. I canāt see Cap Challenge or any event happening at PGEC this fall.
I really donāt get why we canāt call this season a wash.
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How is Morven Park or Lexington a better choice than PGEC? Less strict state regulations in Virginia?
Prince Georgeās county was one of the hardest hit areas of Maryland and the local government owns and controls the facility. Morven Park and the Virginia horse center in Lexington are privately owned and managed. I believe the Prince Georgeās county government is being fairly restrictive in what they allow to reopen and what large events can be held on county property.
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Lexington is District 12, so like only a handful of coal miners live there :lol:
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Interesting, thanks.
Iāve spent quite a bit of time in Lexington because my son went to college there and Iāve shown at the Horse Center many many times. Its economy depends on the two universities in town and the income provided by the exhibitors who come in to show throughout the year, pouring money into local businesses and restaurants. Iāve wondered if their remote quiet enclave in the Shenandoah Valley will be destroyed by COVID brought in by outsiders.
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Yeah, I was making a hunger games joke.
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I got it! Just went off on a tangent.
:):lol::o
Has anyone heard of anyone being kicked out of a show for non-compliance?
VMI students are returning. W & L students last time I heard are also coming back to campus. The horse shows that the VHC has produced lately have been huge. But I suspect the restaurants are still struggling but this area is DJT country and masks are worn very sparingly.
My experiences were positive.
I initially cancelled plans of showing because of Covid. But then felt disappointed, and went ahead with it anyway. Most people I saw were trying hard to be good.
I was once politely admonished by a steward to pull my mask up (after riding) but I deserved it. (I rode and then left my mask down leading my horse back to the barn). Monitoring helps. Do what it takes to help, most understand.
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