I’m an eventer, though do occasionally do dressage schooling shows and jumper schooling shows to practice tests and courses; Morven Park (in Leesburg VA) has - for the first time in ages - scheduled a series of H/J schooling shows starting in June and running through August.
At the beginning of the year, I was very excited about this since the venue has installed huge new rings (3 of them) with fantastic footing (a better set up/better courses/venue/footing than many of the other local schooling jumper shows), and I looked forward to taking advantage of this opportunity.
I’m actually surprised that they are still planning to hold them!, at least as of last week when I saw them advertised.
IF they wind up running them (which I am cautiously optimistic about), I have tentative plans to go - depending. I’m hoping they will have safe practices in effect, and I’m sure they will have a detailed list of procedures to follow, which I will willingly do. None of the venues local to me that host one-day dressage schooling shows, jumper schooling shows, or CTs require overnight stabling (unless you have haul-ins from a distance away - which is a tiny minority of competitors), though obviously the Recognized Horse Trials are a different story. STILL, the schooling HTs and Starter Trials could likely fill with just trailer-ins.
My mare has stayed in training since at my particular barn, the whole SET UP is socially distancing (it’s highly unusual that way), and we have been being careful. I’m the only boarder who rides on a regular basis, jumps, competes; the vast majority of the horses on the huge property are broodmares and foals, lay-ups, retirees and field boarders - there are several barns on the farm and no “common area” for boarders, no one else touches my stuff (in a stand alone tack cabinet, including my horse’s halter), and the only thing that I touch in common with anyone else is the double ended snap on my horse’s stall. That’s it. I wear gloves, and am never within 10-20 feet of the few employees and the BM.
So yes, I will admit to wanting to get out and compete when and where there are local competitions this summer.
Eventers all work out of our trailers (I bring my husband along to help me most of the time), and unless at a recognized HT, no one is parked “cheek by jowel”, no one is “gathering in groups” (people DO, but that can be discouraged, certainly - yes??); precautions can be taken with the show office WRT numbers, dressage test sheets, ribbons - and warmups are large enough so as to ensure people are not riding side by side or on top of each other. I personally think they should limit the number of riders in each warmup ring anyway - unless it’s a huge space!
I will often pee in my trailer, though there is usually a Don’s John. Right before the lockdown, a well-known venue that I attend all the time for competitions and schoolings offered single person ring schooling by appt., and had washing stations set up by the Porta-potties: you washed your hands before going in, then after you had come out.
I think it can be done if people are careful and take necessary precautions. I guess THAT will be “the rub”, though.
Right now I’m hopeful that the local schooling venues I frequent (to practice in the dressage ring or jumping ring) will open up to schooling once the Stay in Place order has been officially lifted. I am often the only person there (with my husband, I don’t jump with no one around), and have the place to myself - or maybe another rider or two at a distance.
Obviously there are other places/situations/venues where it’s much more difficult to distance people from each other, what I’m describing is somewhat unusual - though not completely rare. We are lucky in our area to have so many venues within easy driving distance so no stabling or hotel or restaurant is needed; bring your own food and drink, a one-day-trip.
I think we should all be careful and thoughtful, but also open to reasonable compromise. “We’ll see” is a good way to think right now. I’m hopeful but not recklessly so!
