With Europe now the epicentre of the global coronavirus pandemic, we are all dealing with considerable disruption to our everyday lives. As neighbouring countries close their schools, cancel mass gatherings and impose lockdowns in an attempt to combat Covid-19, here in the UK we face increasingly stringent measures to help delay its spread.
What might this mean for equestrian sport? International classes across the equestrian disciplines have already been cancelled, on the recommendation of the FEI, and national classes are following suit this week, but will there be prolonged disruption at local level?
“We have contingency plans for different options and will be ready to act on the government’s advice,” says Winnie Murphy, who manages communications for British Dressage (BD) and the British Equestrian Federation. “The average dressage show is not a mass spectator event, as tests are spread out across the day. Our venues include equine and agricultural colleges and universities, however. If they close, the decision may be made for us.”
Moving or postponing a larger event such as April’s BD winter championships is no easy task, as Winnie points out.
“The winters take place over five days, involve 900 tests and require three arenas along with stabling and infrastructure,” she explains. “The show is pretty much a 360-day organisational job. You can’t just pick it up and put it down somewhere else.”
Outdoor events involving more than 500 people were banned in Ireland and Scotland last week and all of Britain’s race meetings have taken place “behind closed doors” since Tuesday. Might this be an option for our spring calendar blockbusters?
This story is from the March 19, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 19, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
I've ever 'He's the best ridden'
Dannie Morgan wins three national titles and the next generation of dressage stars rise to the occasion as one title goes down to the wire
I Am Maximus hailed hero
The Grand National produces a triumph of sporting brilliance, with several fairy-tale endings
Evergreen mare takes top spot
Familiar faces take top honours, as eventers impress and new combinations win championship titles for the first time
A match made in Paradise
The 1,000 supreme titles are netted by a much-admired 138cm show pony and a consistent heavyweight hunter
McLean's dash north pays dividends
The Scottish rider picks up a raft of Highland qualifiers and there's an unusual jumping test in Somerset
Buy Some Time finds the winning factor
A six-yearold makes a welcome return to form and some unexpected fast ground produces an epic clash
A sash, at last!
Sarah Moy fulfils a lifelong ambition, a spooky superstar” retains a title and polocrosse provides a winning formula
A win for Cesar and Claire
The VWHs Claire King battles demanding going to take the Wynnstay hunt ride on honest and clever” Cesar Et Rosalie, reports Catherine Austen
Cognac
This \"Jekyll and Hyde\" ex-racehorse never said no to a fence and had a definite sense of humour
We've got each other's backs
As part of H&H's 140th anniversary this year, we are celebrating Britain's great horsey families with a series of interviews. In our second instalment, we speak to multi-medallist Gareth Hughes, his wife Rebecca and their daughter Ruby