All eventing has been cancelled and the immediate future of other equestrian sport in Britain was uncertain as H&H went to press, as the population was urged to avoid non-essential travel and social contact.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced late on Monday (16 March) that “drastic action” was needed to lessen the impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus, as the UK approaches the “fast growth part of the upward curve” in the number of cases. By Monday, more than 1,500 people had been diagnosed in this country.
As H&H went to press on Monday evening, British Eventing said its board had made the “very difficult decision” to cancel all events with immediate effect.
“The government advice has been to minimise social contact and non-essential travel, and the restrictions on the support of the emergency services means the responsible decision is to take all action necessary not to further burden the NHS or risk members’ safety at events,” said a BE statement. “We thank all our members, organisers, officials, volunteers and staff for their support during these unprecedented times. We will continue to monitor the situation and will resume sporting activity as soon as we are able.”
British Dressage said on Monday evening it would “review the immediate impact on our events, competitions and activities as an urgent priority”, and work fast to update stakeholders as soon as possible.
The FEI emailed federations on 13 March to ask them not to run FEI events, while the European Equestrian Federation (EEF) and the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) had that day called for all federations to halt competitions until the end of April.
The FEI said the situation had “taken a rapid turn for the worse”.
Denne historien er fra March 19, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra March 19, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
