- Category: News & Events
Recommended Best Practices for Operating Competitions in the COVID-19 Environment
The Joint Leadership Council (JLC), which includes members of the American Saddlebred Association (ASHA), American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA), American Hackney Horse Society (AHHS), American Road Horse and Pony Association (ARHPA) and the United Professional Horsemen’s Association (UPHA) along with input from the Arabian Horse Association (AHA), met and discussed steps competitions could take as our industry and sport emerge from the COVID-19 crisis. Below are suggested Best Practices organizers can consider as they plan for events and take steps to help competitors and staff stay as safe as possible. We are fully aware that types of shows, location and types of facilities and other regional differences will influence both the practicality and necessity of implementing these Best Practices. Organizers are strongly encouraged to abide by guidelines provided by local governing entities in implementing chosen Best Practices. We encourage organizers to use this list as a guide, and determine additional Best Practices specific to their circumstances.
In order to commence our show season, it is recommended that competition organizers reach out as soon as possible to the individual facility owners to assure them that the following guidelines are in place to provide a safe environment for owners, exhibitors and professionals. Additionally, show organizers are encouraged to reach out to their respective insurance providers with any questions regarding levels of coverage as a result of COVID-19.
1. Monitor CDC, federal, state and local guidelines regarding safe practices as well as USEF recommendations.
2. Close event to the general public and spectators
3. Institute a safe environment for office staff
- Accept online or electronic entries only
- Establish appointment times for check in and check out
- Changes (scratches/adds) to be completed electronically
- Class number sheets, scratches and daily schedules to be emailed or texted
- Set up office to provide proper social distancing guidelines
4. Social distancing throughout show grounds
- Limit to two people per horse in warm up arena
- Additional two minute gate holds between classes so people can move in and out of warm up ring with no congestion
- At facilities where there is “moat-like rail” limit the number of people on the rail to trainers and instructors only and require those in this area to wear gloves
- Request seating areas at barns to be limited as to limit congregating
- Eliminate exhibitor parties and hospitality areas (coffee etc.)
- Ensure vendors are spaced out accordingly and are set up to abide by social distancing recommendations
5. Sanitizing stations throughout show grounds and in center ring
- Provide hand sanitizer to all officials, ring crew, office staff and maintenance staff
- Provide gloves and masks to barn staff and other official personnel
6. Create a method to present ribbons and trophies that has less hand to hand contact (Consider an alternate area where ribbons can be picked up as to reduce contact in the ring)
7. Require food service to institute methods to deliver their food abiding by social distancing guidelines
8. Managers should have a staff meeting prior to the show to discuss issues, protocol and procedures that will be in place during the event
9. Configure box seating to allow for social distancing
10. Arena should be closed at an allotted time between sessions to properly sanitize and/or clean show arena
11. If space allows separate stabling areas and configure stabling for social distancing
12. Consider offering live feed (if possible) to give families and fans at home the ability to stay in touch. (This also may be a way to generate corporate sponsorship knowing that the feed is being seen by a larger audience)
A PDF of these Best Horse Show Practices can be found here.
