Another show of mine was cancelled this week. The Course Design Seminar and show at the National Equestrian Centre in Singapore have been canned. No surprise really, as COVID-19 sweeps through Asia. The AEF Young Rider Final in Taipei has also been postponed, till October, we think. Locally, the RSPC Pink Polo Ladies International Polo Tournament has been put back to September, the Battle of Sexes will be played as a closed event for members only, and the FEI has postponed indefinitely the Introduction to Coaching course that was to be held in Ipoh.
There are going to be more and more shows affected before this Coronavirus is beaten.
One of the big three racing clubs has said they may have to postpone their annual horse show because of the fear of contamination by the congregation of people that come to horse show. Horse show crowds tend to run into the hundreds, if that. The irony is that it does not cross their minds to stop racing, which draws crowds of thousands of bettors to the racetracks for on and off course racing every weekend.
Eventing Nation lists the big international shows cancelled or modified: due to Coronavirus concerns. (last update: March 12, 4:42 a.m. EST).
China
Asia Horse Week/Longines Masters of Hong Kong CSI5* (Feb. 14-16 in Hong Kong): cancelled
Eventing Horse of the Year Show (March 14 in Hong Kong): cancelled
Denmark
Blue Hors CPEDI3* (March 14-17 in Randbøldal): cancelled
France
Saut Hermès at the Grand Palais (March 20-22 in Paris): cancelled
Germany
CSI3* Signal Iduna Cup (March 14-15 in Dortmund): will run without spectators
Italy
Carovigno CEI (March 13-15): cancelled
Gorla Minore CSI (March 11-15, 18-22, 25-29, April 9-12): cancelled
Ornago CDI (March 19-29) & CD: cancelled
Arezzo CSI (March 16-29): cancelled
Pratoni del Vivaro CCI (March 26-29): cancelled
Montelibretti CCI (April 9-12): cancelled
Fossalta di Portogruaro CVI (April 9-12): cancelled
Netherlands
The Dutch Masters (March 12-15 in S’-Hertogenbosch): will run without spectators
Spain
Mediterranean Horse Tour (throughout March in Oliva Nova): will run without spectators
Switzerland
FEI Sports Forum (April 6-7 in Lausanne): moved online
United States
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (March 3-22 in Houston, TX): cancelled
American Quarter Horse Association Annual Convention (March 13-16 in Las Vegas, NV): cancelled
Road to the Horse (March 19-22 in Lexington, KY): postponed
Arabian Breeders World Cup (April 8-11 in Las Vegas, NV): cancelled
The FEI has provided an updated advisory that included key planning recommendations for mass gatherings in the context of the coronavirus outbreak.
Horse & Hound says, ‘Public health must be priority’: Coronavirus wreaks havoc on European shows.
