I don’t think I’ll be willing to do overnight shows for a long time. Hotels, restaurants and stabling are all worrisome to me. But, if we could have one day shows where you don’t need to go in to the office, that would make me feel better about the whole thing. If you fill out your entry correctly, you’re only going in to pick up your number. We can all supply our own. And ribbons and tests could maybe be laid out in a tent or something? But, what about the warmup, where we are all breathing heavily (some more than others!)? That would be somewhere that the virus could be spread. Someone needs to invent a cool looking athletic mask! And how would the workers at the show be protected? What are your ideas?
I’ll follow any reasonable precautions a show requires (or not show there if I don’t find it reasonable), but personally I’m not worried. I’m ready to show as soon as it’s possible.
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I don’t know the answer to that, but below is something that was posted by a show organizer that runs USDF shows. Sounds like they have identified the protocols they will be putting in place in order to hold a show. I will also add that this particular show grounds has stabling that is open air (shed-row style–so not in tents or in a building). So, their grounds would probably be adaptable to adequate social distancing. Would not necessarily work at all show grounds.
Dear Exhibitors,
As you may have heard, the USEF has extended its disincentivization for holding shows through May 31, which requires the cancellation or rescheduling of Dressage at Waterloo Spring Classic. We may reschedule the Spring Classic for a later date. We are currently planning to proceed with the rest of the Dressage at Waterloo series, starting with the June 12-14 show.
For all BMCI-organized shows:
We plan to implement several modifications to the shows to facilitate physical distancing, including, but not limited to:
- pre-show check in to remove the need for entering the show office upon arrival
- online and phone-based changes/adds/scratches during shows to remove the need for entering the show office
- modification of warm-up flow and arena flow to maximize physical distancing
- automatic electronic return of test sheets, with the option of on-demand printing at self-serve outdoor kiosks
- remotely locating scribes to isolate judges and scribes
- temporary suspension of exhibitor parties
- closing the shows to public access and spectators
We will be applying health measures for show staff, including:
- any staff member who has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or exposure within the previous 14 days will not be working at the shows or in the office for pre-show preparations
- daily temperature monitoring of all staff members
We are also planning changes to our cancellation and credit policies:
- any credits issued last year that are set to expire this year will automatically be extended through the end of the 2021 show season
- ]nyone who has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or exposure within the previous 14 days to COVID-19 is asked to cancel any entries into the show; a full credit will be issued for use at a future show, valid through the end of the 2021 show season
As with almost everything else in our world today, when horse shows return they will be reflective of ‘the new normal’. Until then, we will plan for their return, so that when you are ready to show, we will be ready to welcome you back.
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slp, thanks for posting that. There are a lot of good ideas there. But, stabling usually means you are too far from home to commute. How do you feel about hotels and restaurants? Shed row stables would be ideal, but they would still have to have an empty stall between horses to allow you to be 6’ from your neighbor…
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Well, for me—this show grounds is a little over an hour from home. When I show there–I often drive home each night—but my horses stay on the grounds. This could work for a lot of local folks—not so much for people coming from further distances. I could pack my own food and wouldn’t need to stay in a hotel. If they have lower entries—I would assume they would try to space the stabling with empty stalls in between.
I just thought it was interesting that the show organizer has already planned out how they would go ahead with shows starting up in June. I know that many of us are going to still be working from home in June (and probably beyond). And I think most of the restaurants (except for take out) will be closed until the end of May. Plus many of the barns here are just opening up now, with horses that need to brought back into work after about 6 weeks off.
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Vaccines and testing
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I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. I was hoping to maybe show this year at Dressage at Lexington, which is in July. For me, its an overnight show, but my husband can often take the time off work to come with me and bring our Airstream so we can camp on site and cook our own food. If I could do that, I might still do the show. I think I could probably be far enough away from everyone that I’d feel comfortable. But this also assumes that we don’t see a huge spike in infections between now and then because of everyone opening up and relaxing their vigilance too soon.
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The modifications slp posted are a great start. I also second the idea that stabling should be spread out as much as possible with extra stalls between barn groups at least. Around here we also have shedrow style stabling, and many people opt to keep their horses on the showgrounds, even if they live and board nearby.
I wonder how separating the scribe will work. When I have scribed, there have been times when the judge looked over at the scoresheet to make sure we were both in the same place, or to see how quickly I was writing. It might mean they need a bit more time between horses to allow for extra communications if the scribe and judge aren’t sitting side by side. If you have electronic scribing, this could work, as the judge can have a second monitor displaying the scribe’s screen.
I wonder how rigorously they will enforce the no spectators rule. I am guessing trainers, owners, parents, etc that are named and have signed the entry form would be allowed. But what about grooms, either full-time or the teen at the barn, I hired for the weekend? Does DH count as a groom if all he does is wipe my boots before I go in the ring and provide beverages after my ride?:winkgrin:
OP, as far as athletic masks go, I have been using athletic neck gaiters pulled over my face while at the barn. DH has even done some pretty long runs with one. Not ideal, but not impossible either. As the weather heats up, I will probably tie my cooling neck scarf around my face. (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07RSJKNJD?tag=amz-mkt-chr-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-a0027-win10-other-smile-us000-pcomp-feature-scomp-wm-5&ref=aa_scomp&th=1)
Granted, these are not the best in terms of reducing contagious spread, but used outside, where I am typically more than 6 feet anyway, not a bad option.
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Interestingly I’m not too worried about me at shows. Advantage to having a stallion is there are almost always empty stalls left next to us.
Its not hard to stay 6 feet or more away at any of the venues near me. Would not go anywhere I have to stay overnight. Its more complicated for office staff, scribe/judge, etc. Bathrooms raise some concerns, but I’m not above peeing in a stall…:winkgrin:
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As someone who is immune compromised - this is probably the only way I’m going to feel safe doing most things.
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Agreed.
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Yeah vaccines and testing. I like to scribe but I’m not volunteering to sit beside someone in close quarters for hours on end. No way.
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For those of you interested in showing, now that the USEF has come out with guidelines for the shows to follow, and has told show managers that they are on their own to implement them, how much of a “Covid fee” would you be willing to pay for the show to afford their extra costs? Showing is already stinking expensive. What if there were an extra $50 (or so) Covid fee for the show to be able to afford their extra expenses?
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I’ve been pondering the same thing. A bit moot for me unless barn restrictions lessen so I can get back to riding in the first place.
To me, Dressage is not very nimble with change. None of the shows in my area use electronic scoring, all require volunteers for scribing/running tests/scoring etc. It’s only been in the last couple years that some have adopted online entries.
I think the bigger question is what will make you comfortable enough to volunteer? Without that there is no show.
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I would volunteer heart beat.
I’m not sure many (especially older) volunteers will think the same. We’ll see!
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I think I would be more likely to go to a dressage show than a h/j show once things start back up. It’s much, much easier to distance, especially since it’s one person in the ring at a time, and much less clogging the in gate. There are ride times, and warmups are already monitored, so more easily limited in the number of riders in them.
Around here, most dressage shows are already electronic entry, with numbers just out for pickup; perhaps asking riders to get something like those European number systems so you can just make your own number with whatever number you’re assigned, so you really don’t have to go to an office for anything. Just have tests and ribbons somewhere for pickup, or offer to mail them. The judge/scribe thing would be hardest, but surely there are ways to overcome this with electronics even at small shows–set up a tablet/phone with facetime and interact that way, for example, with tests in something like a Google doc. I know horse people tend to be awful with technology, but maybe this is the kick in the pants we need to get showing up to date with how the rest of the world operates as far as using it.
That said, I bought a 3YO OTTB this year and had hoped to show in some breeding classes and a few local h/j things that offer some super easy flat classes (there is an actual Walk class) for some milage just getting out and about. Instead, if they happen at all, I actually think I may aim for a few dressage shows with like, Intro A, so we can haul in, show, and go home without having to actually interact with anyone. I would not want to go anywhere that I needed to stable, or stay overnight, for this entire show year and possibly next.
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I volunteer for a lot of dressage shows in the winter. Arena steward seems easy to stay away from people, but how can I check bits, spurs and sides of the horse while 6’ away from his people? And, I may choose to wear a mask to protect those around me, but the rider would be breathing all around me. Unless they have a mask on, they could have no idea that they are spreading the virus. No. Many volunteers have some age on them, and the shows can’t run without them. This may be the biggest hurdle for dressage shows…
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I would consider (at least) a schooling show where I could re-use a number I have from last year and pay a small (extra) fee to have one or two tests mailed to my house. I don’t need ribbons so maybe they could NOT buy ribbons and not charge for mailing the scoresheets.
First we have to take care of the volunteers and the judge.
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Testing and vaccines.
Once that’s up and running, all shows really should still have:
Electronic sign up.
Electronic payment.
Electronic check-in.
Frankly, this should be the norm for shows anyway. The horse world is so slow to update to modern technology. Why am I still paying with a check and having to print a form and mail it.
Pick up your number from a table where they’re set out by someone wearing gloves and a mask. Or, just do away with numbers, maybe. There’s only one person in the ring at a time in dressage. I’ve been taught that you confirm your number and test with the judge before you go in so, just confirm your name instead of your number.
If scoresheets are filled out electronically so the scribes can be located away from the judge, it should be very easy to email competitors their sheet.
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