USEF shows and the new COVID guidelines...how is it going?

[Displaced_Yankee]

So we have potentially two weekends of shows under our collective belts. How have the COVID guidelines/rules been at recognized shows?

Was your temp checked? How was it designated that your temp had been checked upon entry that day to the grounds?
How did bit and equipment checks go?
Judges and scribes, did you have plexiglass between you? Walkie talkies?
Did staff and volunteers wear masks?
Was the “limited” support crew enforced? (ie: trainer, groom, parent of minor)
How did you get your tests, contact the office, pick up entry packets or prizes?
Was stabling more spread out?

These are just questions that come to mind. I’d like to hear of anything else that comes to mind. Of course, I could not go spectate and Ponykins is rehabbing at present. Our GMO is planning on hosting a few shows in the fall (and I may be competing myself touch wood) so I am wondering how these rules are working out in practice. What worked and what didn’t?

[ThreeFigs]

I’ll be interested to see what folks say. Here, our USEF/USDF shows are falling like dominoes. Plenty of “schooling” shows, though. I have yet to attend ANY shows yet. Would consider doing a “schooling” show just to go down center line with the new mare.

[CHT]

We have our first schooling shows starting next weekend here in Alberta, and no go ahead for National Shows. yet. We(by barn) aren’t planning to travel to show, only to schooling days, and have embraced online showing instead. it’s actually a cool way to get feedback from good judges from a different region, with a way smaller price tag.

[AMWookey]

I can’t speak on USDF. I was at a USEF show this weekend, and spent Saturday attempting to enforce social distancing. The volunteers given the task today quit after 45 mins because the people there were horrible.

I have many thoughts. Number one is that it needs to be clear. If you are on a horse, no mask. Off, you have a mask on (exception being jump judging unless you are interacting with someone because you cant hear through radios). By saying you can have households, and USEF opening up the interpretation of households, and that if you maintain social distance you dont need a mask on, really meant there were people who tried to get away with no mask all day. Those same people tried to ride in golf carts with their farm family, and tried to sit in front of the water in the shade with no mask on, and came and spoke to the volunteers with sometimes less then 6 inches separating them - no mask on the competitor. They “thought” only one person needed the mask. Might I add a lot of our volunteers are over the age of 65?

By the end of the day I was both fed up and hoping the show would get closed and just over volunteering all together. I am a very strong minded individual who is often given the tasks that require a thick skin and I don’t get walked over. But i was 100% over the treatment competitors and professionals who have know me for 2 years, were sending my way.

[2tempe]

attended show this weekend. In response to the above list of questions: No temperature test taken on me. No bit check at all first day, Second day it was done visually, with person standing about 6 feet away.
I did not see plexiglass between judge and scribe during my two trips down center line (though wasnt thinking of it) , nor did I see it in the booths while schooling on Friday, when I did notice. One would think it would have been in place by then as it would almost certainly need to be securedly attached.

Office staff wore masks, only one allowed in office at time to pick up #'s, settle entries. Competitors had to wear mask in office. “perfect” entries were in box outside office for pickup. Scores posted outside, tests and ribbons placed outside on tables for pick up. Ring stewards (2 rings side by side) were sitting together at table, no masks, no distance.
There was zero indication of monitoring the support crew (trainer/groom/parent) or anyone else.

Though it was said that rings would be monitored for crowding during Friday schooling, that did not happen that I could see; and the rings were pretty crowded. Two rings under large cover, the rings no more than six feet apart.
Stabling was definitely spread out more than normal.

In general, beyond just the show, I’m disappointed in how people in my world are not conscious of distancing, aren’t wearing masks and aren’t being considerate of others.

[fancy.pants]

AMWookey, I’m so sorry to hear of your experience. How awful that anyone feels they can be nasty to people who are enforcing what we should all be doing, not only to be safe, but to ensure that horse shows are able to continue!

[Snowdenfarm]

Your rights end where mine begin, needs to be understood in the context of mask wearing and social distancing.

[AllWeatherGal]

I went to a schooling event this past weekend but only participated in dressage.

No temp check, no equipment check (I only did dressage so cannot speak for other phases).

Judge and scribe did have plexiglas between them. Neither wore masks.

The volunteers at the dressage check-in all had masks. The runners I saw did not. I didn’t see any of the show jumping or xc … too worried about my own little world

We were notified ahead of time that masks had to be worn in all shared spaces other than barns – vendor areas, office, bathrooms, and I would have hoped spectator areas. The warning stated that anyone found without a mask would be ejected the second time. I don’t know that anyone had time to monitor. Most of the vendors did have masks; the woman at the lemonade stand did and she served me. The gentleman with her did not, and he served the two unmasked teens in front of me. A few people milling about the warm-up had masks, not the majority.

I only went to the office to check in and pick up numbers. Both people there wore masks, and so did my colleague and I. Trainer got our tests after the show. She wore a mask for the venture into a pretty crowded area.

I hadn’t thought about it, but stabling did seem spread between groups, but within our group the six of us were side by side. Some people kept their horses in their (massive) trailers and were parked at a distance.

Having said all that, I’m in central Florida where restrictions have been very limited. Generally people are quite hostile about their right to not wear whatever they feel might be uncomfortable and I stayed away from people for the most part. I was super-grateful to the folks who put on the show (Partners of the Park, Florida Horse Park in Ocala) and had a wonderful time.

[Displaced_Yankee]

So I had skimmed the USEF COVID-19 Action plan, but have now printed it out to highlight, annotate and take notes. What I noticed on my more detailed readthrough: only volunteers, officials, competition staff, and service providers need their temperature checked upon entering the facility. No mention of exhibitors, which may explain why several of you did not get your temp checked!

It does state that “participants and support personnel” are required to self-monitor their temp.

[BigMama1]

The national and CDI shows in my area originally planned for June and July have been cancelled. I suspect there will be a couple of national shows in August, but we’ll see.

The biggest issue seems to be how to keep the judge and scribe close enough for quiet communication, but still keep them safe. Outdoors at a table would seem to be safest, but weather-wise that’s going to get uncomfortable in the hot sun or the pouring rain. How does the plexi glass work? It would seem for a full day of sitting together, only a full length shield completely separating their 2 airspaces would work. Otherwise the germs could just circulate above, below, and around a partial barrier. And if it’s a full length barrier, how can they clearly hear each other?

I’d almost want to see them in separate spaces using a CeeCoach or similar 2 way device that allows them to speak at a quiet volume and doesn’t broadcast their comments like a walkie talkie would.

[KayGee]

Was your temp checked?
Yes. Additionally, my helper and I had to fill out COVID questionnaires each day and waivers.
”‹”‹”‹”‹How was it designated that your temp had been checked upon entry that day to the grounds?
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹Each day had its own color of sticker given once temp and questionnaire were taken and filled out.
How did bit and equipment checks go?
No touching of the horse or equipment. Had to turn out fly veil and measure my whip myself which was fine.
Judges and scribes, did you have plexiglass between you? Walkie talkies?
Judge and scribe were in separate locations and used cellphones.
Did staff and volunteers wear masks? Yes
Was the “limited” support crew enforced? (ie: trainer, groom, parent of minor) Yes
How did you get your tests, contact the office, pick up entry packets or prizes? Pick up at office window.
Was stabling more spread out? Yes, it appeared to be, but I was close to home so did ‘show and go’ from the trailer.

It was a minor hassle to have to put my mask on as soon as my feet hit the ground, but it was minor. I got to show, and I’m doing so again this weekend. I am grateful.

Edited to clarify judge and scribe location.

[Displaced_Yankee]

@KayGee RE: equipment checks: did you have to unbridle your horse to show your bit? Or was it JUST whip length and fly veil? No spur check?

I’m just used to bit, spur, whip and fly veil check…so I am curious.

[KayGee]

@Displaced Mainer I wasn’t wearing spurs although they did check for blood on the sides as well as the mouth. Yes, I did drop my bridle for bit check, and my helper turned out my fly veil. I guess it was a bit of a circus, but I got to show so it was worth it.

[AZ_TD]

Now equipment checks are random and visual. Here are the covid rules: https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/5Qx7zDlFvXs/usef-covid-19-rule-modifications

[Displaced_Yankee]

@AZ TD I saw that. I was curious if competitors would be asked to essentially unbridle (drop the bit) their horse to show the bit. I feel like this has the potential to lead to some loose horses…so perhaps ensuring a secure area would be to the benefit of organizers. Because even to the best of horses and handlers…#$%^ happens!

[AZ_TD]

@Displaced Mainer

@AZ TD I saw that. I was curious if competitors would be asked to essentially unbridle (drop the bit) their horse to show the bit. I feel like this has the potential to lead to some loose horses…so perhaps ensuring a secure area would be to the benefit of organizers. Because even to the best of horses and handlers…#$%^ happens!

When I TD a show with these restrictions, I follow the horse back to its stall and look at the bit when it is unbridled. I would never ask someone to drop a bridle out in the open.

[CHT]

Interesting with judge and scribe in different locations. Did a runner then take the test sheet to the judge for review/signing? I know I like to double check the scores/comments look correct when judging. Why couldn’t both wear a face shield? I don’t think they affect sound as much, and the good ones are reuseable.

[Mersidoats]

I went as a groom to a USDF show a few weeks ago. Entry packets were posted at your stall, which was great and made check-in a breeze. Stabling seemed pretty well distanced, but we brought a stud so maybe they just put us in the boonies, anyway.

The judge and scribe were on an open platform at a table - no booth. The runners wore masks, as did the TD and ring stewards. The office was closed to anyone but staff and they passed your test and ribbon through a flap in the door.

About half the people at the grounds wore masks. I saw more mask wearing near the schooling arena. I ended up taking mine off while I was photographing as it my viewfinder was fogging up. People did seem to be distancing, and I saw the TD break up on group of people who were clumped at the show ring. I saw no bit checks or tack checks. There was a tack shop trailer and a food truck. The tack shop trailer didn’t seem to be enforcing ANY of the rules. The food truck had hand sanitizer and wore masks.

The show took place during a tropical storm so a lot of people scratched and left on the second day. I’m talking buckets of water.

It was what it was. I’m going to withhold judgement for the time being.

[SolarFlare]

@BigMama1

The national and CDI shows in my area originally planned for June and July have been cancelled. I suspect there will be a couple of national shows in August, but we’ll see.

The biggest issue seems to be how to keep the judge and scribe close enough for quiet communication, but still keep them safe. Outdoors at a table would seem to be safest, but weather-wise that’s going to get uncomfortable in the hot sun or the pouring rain. How does the plexi glass work? It would seem for a full day of sitting together, only a full length shield completely separating their 2 airspaces would work. Otherwise the germs could just circulate above, below, and around a partial barrier. And if it’s a full length barrier, how can they clearly hear each other?

I’d almost want to see them in separate spaces using a CeeCoach or similar 2 way device that allows them to speak at a quiet volume and doesn’t broadcast their comments like a walkie talkie would.

I’ll be scribing at the first OEA event running in July. I believe the plan is to have the judge and scribe sitting separately in vehicles. We’ll then use our cell phones with earbuds to communicate, which will allow us to speak quietly enough but still have windows down if it’s hot, etc. I suggested this as most cell plans these days have unlimited minutes so it won’t cost anything for us, plus it seems to be the best way for me to hear clearly to scribe. Sitting at separate tables (or a long table) would mean the judge having to yell if it’s windy, plus won’t work if it’s raining. The existing judges’ booths are way too small for us to sit side-by-side as usual. Having full-length plexiglass would likely mean I couldn’t hear well enough without the judge yelling or speaking loudly. Using walkie-talkies also gives sound quality issues, plus the potential to have others using the same channel and talking over top of us.

The only concern with the cell phones is bringing a charger so I don’t end up with a dead phone after hours of an open line

ETA - The judge and I also discussed getting tested for COVID beforehand, so that if we’re both negative we could just sit together. But, testing isn’t foolproof (we might test negative but have picked it up in the meantime before the show, or might have been incubating it so that we tested negative but were able to spread by the time of the show). I also wasn’t able to determine if we could just get tested as a preventative measure as the public health sites still mention having symptoms or knowing you were exposed to someone who was positive.

[oldernewbie]

Went to an Arab show this morning, saw the rules in action. I would say 75-80% of the people out wandering around the show grounds were masked. Always a few holdouts
Show office was closed to anyone except staff. Actually the show grounds was closed to the public - so technically I shouldn’t have been there, but I was going to visit my barn, so I could have picked up a brush and started grooming if anyone questioned it. We didn’t wear masks around the stalls. Overall it seemed like there was more cooperation than I expected.

The Region 14 championships start this coming week - at KHP - so I imagine USEF will be looking sharp at what people are doing. Heard a rumbling that if people didn’t comply, they would just shut the show down and send everyone home. Sure hope it doesn’t come to that.