Positive COVID cases at Tryon

[HDuckie]

An email was sent to (some) competitors about positive COVID cases. Apparently social distancing & mask wearing were not being enforced. Competitors were promised private aisles but were actually stalled next to other competitors. Here’s a copy of the email:

Notice to Competitors:
June 18, 2020

Dear Competitors, Barn Managers, Grooms, Family and Friends:

We are writing to inform you that we have received our first COVID-19 cases reported at Tryon Resort. On Monday morning, we were notified that a sub-contractor who had been working in close proximity to our Tryon Resort construction team had tested positive. The contractor crew had not been on property since early last week and they did not return to property. As a precaution, we had all Tryon construction employees tested immediately. Only one test came back positive. On the day of testing (Monday, June 15) all Tryon construction employees were sent home to quarantine and will remain home until Monday, June 29. Both crews were working away from the primary showgrounds on the far western portion of the property and were not involved in horse show operations.

Two additional cases were reported and have been identified as braiders who were on property during Tryon Summer 1. They have not returned to property this week, Tryon Summer 2. The positive individuals are currently quarantined off TIEC property and will not be allowed to return to showgrounds for two weeks.

Once we learned of these two cases, although equine service providers are required to follow the same COVID-19 protocols, we took immediate action to communicate to competitors and trainers that judges will not penalize for unbraided horses for the remainder of the Tryon Summer Series. All staff, trainers, competitors, and equine service providers will be given additional instructions in English and Spanish, based on recommendations by the CDC and local health department, on COVID-19 policies and safety procedures.

The Polk County, NC Health Department has interviewed the positive individuals and Health Department personnel will make direct contact with any individuals these persons had contact with over the last several days. Contacted individuals will be required to isolate immediately and be tested for COVID-19. Until test results are received, these individuals will need to remain isolated. The Health Department will make easy access to testing and will provide all the necessary information to make that happen.

These occurrences of COVID-19 underscore the imperative requirement to wear masks, social distance and wash hands frequently. As we stated in our communication earlier this week, the virus is still very active in all parts of the country. We must remain aware, cautious and diligent in our collective efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.

Each of the persons identified, who had been on property, were asymptomatic, with no elevated temperature or other symptoms. Masks are imperative, social distancing is essential, and frequent hand washing is critical. It is likely safe to say that this is the new normal for many months to come. We can’t get comfortable and lax in our efforts here, in our travels or at home.

Any questions that you have, please ask. You may contact Sharon directly at 828-429-6181 or via email at sdecker@tryon.com. We remain committed to transparency and full communication regarding this and all issues at Tryon. We are in this together. Thanks for your cooperation and support.

Sharon Allred Decker, President, Tryon Equestrian Partners, Carolina Operations
JP Godard, Show Manager

[vxf111]

I love the grammar “we have received our first reports” as though of COURSE they expected that people would be getting infected at the show and there’d be plenty of reports. And that the response to infected human beings was to waive braiding, not to, you know, enforce the actual safety protocols effectively. “Masks are imperative, social distancing is essential, and frequent hand washing is critical” but when we learned we had infected people on premises, we decided to make braiding optional rather than enforce the use of masks and social distancing.

I hope everyone is well and that no one gets seriously ill. But color me not at all surprised that people were not following rules and that management was not able to effectively get people to follow rules. You can’t get people to be at the ring when they’re supposed to or to fill out forms correctly, you really think they’re going to follow safety protocols if no one is monitoring and enforcing those rules? People got tired of COVID and decided that means it’s gone. And horse people are already the worst at following rules when no one is watching/making them. We literally have proven time and time again that we are incapable of self policing ourselves over the smallest things. We literally are unable. We are still arguing over whether it’s ok for children to be molested if it happened a long time ago. We can’t be trusted to self police! And yet here we are, doing that with a pandemic. Bad combination, if you ask me.

[Peggy]

I found it interesting that they mentioned the besides, who were in the show area, after the construction people, who were not. A lazy reader might just read the first part and decide that the email doesn’t apply to them.

[Just_an_amateur]

Well, the last two weeks I have been at the Aiken show, and everyone is taking the virus seriously. All are wearing masks around the rings and even driving in golf carts. Also, my barn only allows staff to enter the tent area. I do not know about the raiders as I’m not at the facility at that time of day

[CHT]

I find this curious. If someone tests positive, shouldn’t they be quarantined until they no longer test positive? Where I am, the two week quarantine is only if you feel you might have been in contact with someone who is positive. I don’t know of evidence that you are definitely clear of the virus after 2 weeks.

[HDuckie]

CHT, those are my thoughts as well. There’s no guarantee the person will be free of COVID-19 in two weeks. It was for being in contact with someone who tested positive. By those standards, everyone who hired those braiders (and everyone who lived with them, ate with them, etc) should have to quarantine for 2 weeks since the last time they were exposed.

[SolarFlare]

@vxf111

I love the grammar “we have received our first reports” as though of COURSE they expected that people would be getting infected at the show and there’d be plenty of reports. And that the response to infected human beings was to waive braiding, not to, you know, enforce the actual safety protocols effectively. “Masks are imperative, social distancing is essential, and frequent hand washing is critical” but when we learned we had infected people on premises, we decided to make braiding optional rather than enforce the use of masks and social distancing.

I hope everyone is well and that no one gets seriously ill. But color me not at all surprised that people were not following rules and that management was not able to effectively get people to follow rules. You can’t get people to be at the ring when they’re supposed to or to fill out forms correctly, you really think they’re going to follow safety protocols if no one is monitoring and enforcing those rules? People got tired of COVID and decided that means it’s gone. And horse people are already the worst at following rules when no one is watching/making them. We literally have proven time and time again that we are incapable of self policing ourselves over the smallest things. We literally are unable. We are still arguing over whether it’s ok for children to be molested if it happened a long time ago. We can’t be trusted to self police! And yet here we are, doing that with a pandemic. Bad combination, if you ask me.

If you haven’t been over in the Eventing forum, take a look at the thread about last weekend’s event(s) - I think it was Plantation? One of our members was a volunteer and said she won’t be volunteering again any time soon due to the lack of enforcement, abuse by the spectators/competitors, etc. Volunteers were quitting (also, expecting a volunteer with zero authority to enforce COVID measures might not be the most effective plan!). USEA (? maybe USEF?) updated the distancing and mask rules after those events, since you’re right - people just absolutely can’t be trusted to just do the right thing.

I organize a schooling dressage series, which is small enough that it would be WAY simpler to enact proper measures and enforce, and we’ve cancelled our shows this season. It’s just not worth the risk, and we don’t have anywhere near the cases that you do in the US.

[CHT]

@SolarFlare

I organize a schooling dressage series, which is small enough that it would be WAY simpler to enact proper measures and enforce, and we’ve cancelled our shows this season. It’s just not worth the risk, and we don’t have anywhere near the cases that you do in the US.

Schooling shows are starting where I live, but we are avoiding showing still and instead going to schooling days (one barn at a time on property schooling over show jumps), and doing online shows. I AM curious how things will go at the show this weekend…but obviously not going to go see. I don’t trust people I don’t know to make decisions to keep me safe, and our Covid numbers are rising in the age group that would be at shows (20-30).

My clients are loving the online shows instead…you don’t often get comments in H/J shows, it’s a way cheaper way to show dressage, and we get seen by judges that are in different parts of Canada/US…

[SolarFlare]

@CHT

Schooling shows are starting where I live, but we are avoiding showing still and instead going to schooling days (one barn at a time on property schooling over show jumps), and doing online shows. I AM curious how things will go at the show this weekend…but obviously not going to go see. I don’t trust people I don’t know to make decisions to keep me safe, and our Covid numbers are rising in the age group that would be at shows (20-30).

My clients are loving the online shows instead…you don’t often get comments in H/J shows, it’s a way cheaper way to show dressage, and we get seen by judges that are in different parts of Canada/US…

We’re actually running an online ride-a-test clinic If you want to check it out, we’re on FB and Instagram @steppingstonedressage - anybody is welcome to enter. We use CADORA tests as we’re not sanctioned, but EC judges so you’ll get quality feedback. And it’s cheap! PM me if you have any questions.

I do a lot of volunteering at events here in Ontario, and the first one is about to run the first weekend of July. They have a COVID plan in place and approved by EC and FEI, so I’ll see how that goes. I know they’re taking it seriously. Otherwise, we’re the same - many venues opening for schooling with only one barn allowed on property at a time. Some of the event venues have cancelled and we’ll see if they run their second date later this summer.

[vxf111]

Going to school with your own barn makes perfect sense to me and seems like an excellent way to avoid being rusty while minimizing the risks. Ask the host to play “judge” and mark cards/ give feedback and then let people go ride the course a second time to see if they can improve. Lots of ways to get out without everyone converging on a show where people can’t or won’t or simply can’t be bothered to stay 6 feet apart and wear masks.

[Belmont]

@Just an amateur

Well, the last two weeks I have been at the Aiken show, and everyone is taking the virus seriously. All are wearing masks around the rings and even driving in golf carts. Also, my barn only allows staff to enter the tent area. I do not know about the raiders as I’m not at the facility at that time of day

We must be at two different Aikens, though I will say this week has been MUCH better (weekend to be determined). More signs & compliance after BB got a phone call from USEF threatening to shut him down due to lack of enforcement with pictures & video from Eq classes & the GP of maskless participants & spectators in large groups standing around.

I said this to a friend earlier… I’m here because it’s my job and how I make money. I can’t sit on unemployment - so while I search for other jobs - I’ll work. However, we will continue to see COVID spikes & cases in these horse shows especially as the big summer circuits start. It’s herding cats when it comes to compliance, and I wouldn’t be surprised if USEF shuts down again. Plus it’s not just the horse show grounds you have to worry about. Dinners, hotels, traveling across hot spot states, outside spectators (a sign saying they aren’t allowed isn’t stopping anyone in Aiken), shopping vendors, and more… it’s just going to keep happening. Think of how quickly the horse show funks spread. This time they will just spread a little slower vs everyone being sick within a few days.

[JenEM]

Hadn’t the USEF already said braiding was not required? I specifically remember this because it actually is only required for sidesaddle, and there was a brief discussion about it on one of my sidesaddle groups, since pretty much all of us braid ourselves.

If we end up with more instances like this, I wonder about the likelihood that showing will end up shut down again.

[CHT]

@JenEM

Hadn’t the USEF already said braiding was not required? I specifically remember this because it actually is only required for sidesaddle, and there was a brief discussion about it on one of my sidesaddle groups, since pretty much all of us braid ourselves.

If we end up with more instances like this, I wonder about the likelihood that showing will end up shut down again.

I think it is that some horse show venues list braiding as required in their prize list, not that it is an organization rule. I know that is the case where I live (Alberta). I recall braiders being very upset when braiding was not going to be allowed… I think it would take one of the big barns/trainers to forgo braiding for people to actually risk not braiding if it is allowed but not required.

[MHM]

There are a few shows that have specifically forbidden braiding at this time. Hopefully that will not last too long.

I don’t ever recall seeing a show in the United States that said in the prize list that braiding was required. It has always been optional in every class except side-saddle. And now it is not required in side-saddle for the rest of this year.

[StormyDay]

@MHM

There are a few shows that have specifically forbidden braiding at this time. Hopefully that will not last too long.

I don’t ever recall seeing a show in the United States that said in the prize list that braiding was required. It has always been optional in every class except side-saddle. And now it is not required in side-saddle for the rest of this year.

I’m hoping it lasts
Ive always been in the minority that thinks braided horses look silly. I have always preferred a nicely trimmed mane.

[staceymc]

@StormyDay

I’m hoping it lasts
Ive always been in the minority that thinks braided horses look silly. I have always preferred a nicely trimmed mane.

You obviously don’t own my A/O horse that is basically a Chia Pet of an overgrown Thelwell pony. No matter how many times you wet it and comb it over, no matter how many weeks you braid it over and leave it, the second he shakes his head that mane goes EVERYWHERE.

[Alterrain]

at Saratoga braiding is expressly forbidden. As in, there were several GP horses (jumpers) today that were braided, and made to remove braids in the warmup, so they had to show with silly curly manes. I think only the first horse to go actually showed with braids in (they were removed for the jump-off)

[MHM]

@Alterrain

at Saratoga braiding is expressly forbidden. As in, there were several GP horses (jumpers) today that were braided, and made to remove braids in the warmup, so they had to show with silly curly manes. I think only the first horse to go actually showed with braids in (they were removed for the jump-off)

Wow, really? I missed that part. I came up to watch the second half of the class and the jump off. McLain was incredible! :eek:

[comingback]

As someone who braids her own horse, I find not braiding disappointing. I love making him look his best.

That being said, I realize the majority of competitors don’t know how to do it in their own.

[MHM]

@comingback

As someone who braids her own horse, I find not braiding disappointing. I love making him look his best.

That being said, I realize the majority of competitors don’t know how to do it in their own.

I think this is just a temporary situation. As shows are just getting started again, the show managers have a lot on their plates. Once the new routine gets established, I believe braiding will be back.