It started with a trickle on March 12 as news of the severity of the novel coronavirus 19 outbreak began to sink in and restrictions on daily life began. Cancelations of equestrian events began with almost apologetic explanations, only to turn into a torrent days later.
Thursday, March 12
A day after the World Health Organization declared the epidemic a pandemic, the US stock markets fall 6 percent. Travel from Europe is suspended, colleges tell students to leave, NBA suspends season.
Horse Power for Life, which provides equine-related activities for cancer patients and their families, announced “with an eye towards ‘an abundance of caution we have made the decision to reschedule” the 2020 Annual Pink Horse Shoe Gala from the original date of April 4 to September 26. “Due to the nature of the individuals our program is designed to support, we often have many individuals attend the gala who are immunocompromised and would not want to put them or ANY our guests in a potentially harmful situation.”
The Willowdale Steeplechase announced on March 12 that the race was on for May 9, only to reschedule it to June 6 four days later.
Saturday, March 14
The US Hunter Jumper Association suspended all recognized events for two weeks.
Sunday, March 15
European stores are ordered to shut down and people told to stay home, US president declares national emergency.
On March 15, the governor of Maryland shuttered all Maryland racetracks “indefinitely”.
The same day, Penn Vet New Bolton Center began shifting to a Limited Clinical Status, allowing medically necessary appointments and procedures only. The Center updated policies for those dropping off or picking up horses or medication and continued farm visits through its Field Service.
The Winter Equestrian Festival and Global Dressage Festival, with two weeks left in the series, ended on March 15.
Monday, March 16
The Federal Reserve slashes rates to near zero, stock markets sink further, New York City, Pennsylvania and other states close schools.
The US Equestrian Federation announced that as of March 16, “all USEF owned events, selection trials, training camps, clinics, and activities will be suspended for the next 30 days. Additionally, USEF strongly recommends that competition organizers suspend all USEF licensed competitions across the country for the next 30 days and that equestrians do not compete for the next 30 days. For those competitions that do run, there will be no accumulation of points, scores, money won, qualifications, or rankings toward any USEF awards programs, USEF owned event, or selection to a US team during this 30-day time period. This includes USEF National Championships.”
The North American League, consistent with the USEF position, announced it will not sanction classes at any horse shows held during the next 30 days.
The Washington International Horse Show suspended the sanctioning of WIHS Equitation and Championship qualifying classes for 30 days. “Members are advised that points will not be awarded to riders competing in any WIHS Equitation and Championship qualifying classes offered at horse shows held during this time period.”
Equine Affaire, scheduled for April 2-5, is canceled. “We have weighed a variety of scenarios and, unfortunately, rescheduling the event within the coming year simply is not a possibility,” said Marketing Coordinator Beth Volpe in an email.
For the first time in its 42 year history, Equestrian Events Inc. canceled the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event and the Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix. The events had been scheduled for April 23-26 at the Kentucky Horse Park.
The US Hunter Jumper Association suspended all recognized events for 30 days.
Tuesday, March 17
Reports of an Imperial College London group report that if nothing was done by governments and individuals and the pandemic remained uncontrolled, 510,000 would die in Britain and 2.2 million in the United States reached the news. Pennsylvania Governor shuts down all non-essential businesses. “Essential services and sectors” exempted from closure include agriculture, feed mills, veterinary clinics and pet stores. State parks closed facilities but trails and parking lots remain open.
The Kentucky Derby announced its move to the first weekend in September. It was the second time in its history the race was postponed: During WWII, the Derby was held on June 9 after horse racing was banned from January to early May 1945. (Hoop Jr won, with Eddie Arcaro up.)
The Maryland Jockey Club announced the postponement of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, MD. At a news conference March 17, Gov. Larry Hogan said the race will likely be moved to September but no date has been set.
Last Chance Ranch, the Quakertown, PA rescue, cancelled events including their annual gala for the next eight weeks and shut down their Thrift Store. These moves were predicted to decrease funding by $100,000 for the month of April, according to Executive Director Jackie Burke. “During this unprecedented time, we are pleading to our supporters to consider making a small contribution. This is a $10 Tuesday Call to Action, or any amount you are able to donate,” she said in an email.
The 42nd Annual Winterthur Point-to-Point, scheduled for May 3, is cancelled. This is the first time the event has been cancelled since it began in 1979.
The Capital Challenge Horse Show announced that qualifying for Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children’s Medal and Ariat National Adult Medal classes is suspended for any horse shows held in the next 30 days.
Wednesday, March 18
US President calls for $1 trillion stimulus. Pennsylvania governor tells all non-essential businesses to close.
US Pony Club suspends all sponsored events for 30 days.
US Dressage Federation stops accepting scores from USEF licensed/USDF recognized competitions through April 15.
Top eventer Phillip Dutton wrote on Facebook: The team here at True Prospect Farm is trying to maintain as normal a routine as possible under these difficult circumstances. We are heading back from Aiken, SC to our home base in Pennsylvania and will continue to train there in the hope that this too shall soon pass with everyone’s cooperation. Our thoughts go out to all those affected and we recognize that this an extremely difficult time for everyone. We will keep riding, keep working towards our goals and keep loving our horses and what we do every day.
The Maryland Horse Council announces: As of today, March 18th, the ban on all gatherings of more than 50 people remains in effect. This means that any event larger than 50 people (e.g. horse shows, clinics, larger trail rides, conferences, etc.) is illegal under current Maryland law. Willful violation of the ban could result in fines up to $5000 and imprisonment of up to one year.
Tours and farm visits are canceled at Hanover Shoe Farm but life otherwise went on, with about 20 Standardbred foals arriving between March 7 and 19.
Thursday, March 19
Pennsylvania Governor orders all “non-life-sustaining” businesses to close. Pennsylvania has its first coronavirus death.
The New York Racing Association announces that live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y., will be suspended until further notice after a backstretch worker who lives and works at Belmont Park tested positive for the coronavirus.
Boyd Martin reports his team has returned to Pennsylvania and he is planning to open the Windurra cross country course for schooling on April 1.
Still on at this point
Steeplechase races: Fair Hill Races at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md., June 6, and the Cheshire Point-to-Point, Unionville, PA, June 14.
Brandywine Polo plans to begin their 2020 season as planned on May 24.
Laurel Park was scheduled to offer a 10-race card March 20 and an 11-race card March 21 with access severely limited to essential racing personnel only. Owners will not be permitted to MJC facilities including the stable area. The stable area will be closed to horses other than those based at Laurel and Pimlico Race Course.
Still on as we finish this April 2020 issue: The Devon Horse Show, May 21-31. Update: The Devon Horse Show was cancelled for 2020 or March 30.
Stay home, stay safe and stay well.