Interesting, thanks.
I wonder how some of these shows will work with 1\2 or 1\3 of their usual numbers. It’s like the restaurants that are allowed to open at 25-50% capacity. Sure, they’re technically open for business, but is it even worth their time? Can they function with those numbers enough to be sustainable? Especially if they have higher costs to meet all the new regulations.
Hampton Classic (NY) cancelled. Announced today.
The notice of cancellation of the Hampton Classic was in our local newspaper this morning. Not surprising but still very sad. I usually go several days to spectate.
I was kind of surprised over the Hampton classic. We are 3 months away. It seemed premature since many states are reopening.
Then you have no idea what expenses an event has o front long before the horse show. When you contract and give deposits for $100’s of thousands to contractors most are nonrefundable (ent companies, electrician, plumbers, etc) Then there are scared sponsors not providing capital. Most shows are running with no VIP tent which is huge funding for shows. And with HC the VIP tent often gets more interest than the horse show. It is really the only decision they can make. Little shows will be OK, it’s the extravaganzas that will be pretty dysfunctional this year.
Well, I’ve never ran a multi day AA rated show, but considering that other venues are still planning on running and there is a pretty good possibility of the state opening completely up by then, it seems a little premature.
All the Aiken shows are a go. No stalls available at Bruce’s and there is a waiting list. Also PSJ shows at Highfields are running.
The Hampton Classic is different than your average rated AA show though. It’s more of a social event, a place to see and be seen. While I don’t know the specifics, my guess is that they have no way of making the show profitable (or even breaking even) without the money from the VIP tents and sponsors were unwilling to commit given there was no guarantee the state would be open enough to hold the show in its normal capacity with VIP spectators etc.
As others have noted, this is not just a horse show. It’s got so many other moving parts. Devon, Hampton Classic, etc. the considerations and planning are year-round and the financial commitments go well beyond the horse show part itself.
Oh yea figured that out when I drove here, still sketched out it was going to cancel last minute sort of like that classic co “schooling” week in Gulfport… I was surprised to see SO many haul ins this weekend at Aiken because I thought they weren’t allowed, vut I know it’s unrated so I guess we will see next week.
NHHJA Summer Festival (not USEF rated, held at Fieldstone Show Park in MA) - cancelled
Southern California
Ali Nilforushan ran a “no show” sort of an event at Galway last weekend and is now planning to run back-to-back shows there the last week in June and the first week in July. Not USEF but apparently a similar schedule over five days and a $25K GP and a hunter derby ($5K?). Premium is due to be out within a few days, but already taking stall reservations.
Oaks Blenheim is planning USEF shows (the ones that would normally run at Showpark) in July. They may run a county rated show and/or do a no show beforehand.
West Palms is running their Huntington Beach shows the first part of July.
Portuguese Bend Show in September cancelled. This is a charity show that depends heavily on spectators for income.
I attended the first USEF show back in my part of New York over this past weekend. They had a great turnout, with very full days all weekend. So I think the shows that are able to run might be swamped with entries.
I believe OHDC, in Oregon, is canceled.
Fieldstone (MA) June shows are cancelled. No Tournaments are allowed in the state during Phase 2.
seems like Covid is suddenly on the rise in that state
and compliance at horse shows seems to be very lax in these parts.
Couple of one day USEF shows running in my part of PA. First one was very well attended. The USEF waiver process was ridiculously hard to operationalize but otherwise pretty much business as usual.
July Huntercreek/TeamNW shows in Oregon are cancelled. Bend High Desert Classics are cancelled as well. Can’t comply with state Phase 2 requirements.
I’m not sure if it’s so much compliance as it is that the state had/has really lax rules on COVID-19
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