Horse sports in pandemic respond with contain measures
HORSE sport fixtures that would normally go ahead if not for the pandemic hotspots they are in have been delayed or rescheduled in recent days following decisions by officials in the UK, Ireland and the USA.
While horseracing in the UK has been suspended until the end of April, officials in Ireland are taking a containment approach by allowing fixtures to continue without the usual attending punters.
Horse sports around the world have been postponed indefinitely or strictly curtailed
The Info
Meanwhile in the USA, the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby has been rescheduled for Saturday, 5th September. It will mark the first time for that the first leg of the coveted Triple Crown will not be run in May since World War II.
“Obviously we don’t know what is around the corner with this outbreak and we are conscious that it was the infection of coaches and players which effectively closed football down,” said Horse Racing Ireland CEO Brian Kavanagh. “That is the sort of thing you would be concerned about.”
International events across all horse sports including polo have been suspended
Statement from Association
Horse Racing Ireland has issued a statement in light of the coronavirus pandemic that race meetings will continue without the presence of the general public in strict adherence to Irish Government guidelines. A recent meeting at Navan Racecourse in Kildare, Ireland drew well below the government ceiling of 500 people when normally, around 2,500 people are attracted.
HRI has sanctioned additional measures including no evening or double meetings with a maximum of one meeting per day. Jockey weight has been increased by .9kg or 2lbs at Flat and National Hunt meetings while the use of racecourse saunas has been suspended. No owners are permitted to attend race meetings, and no overseas runners are permitted at Irish races.
A maximum interval of 30 minutes between races is being observed to assist with social distancing.
“The initial (Irish) Government instruction was until 29th March, so for the next two weeks at least we will be under these circumstances,” said the HRI’s Brian Kavanagh. “Who knows what happens thereafter? Health and welfare of employees and industry participants is the prime consideration and within that context we have introduced protocols which can allow racing to continue and thousands of families who rely on the sector to maintain a livelihood.”
While horseracing is continuing on a limited basis that is monitored daily, polo fixtures have been suspended including the Women’s Nations Cup 2020 and associated children’s tournament.
Public attendance at all meetings including racing and polo has been suspended
The Federation of International Polo released a statement in recent days that in light of the declaration by the World Health Organisation on the coronavirus as a pandemic, the Secretary of Sport of Argentina where the FIP is based has decided to suspend all international competitions and events.
The decision affects the United States’ USPA officials, who moved to postpone key competitions including the lucrative Gauntlet of Polo that was already taking place when restrictions went into effect.
Escaping the ban were the CV Whitney tournament with a purse of $125,000US, which was won by Los Monjitas in the final on Sunday, February 23rd against La Indiana at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Florida, USA.
The US Women’s Polo Championship Tournament final was played just under the wire of the ban at Port Mayaca Polo Club in Florida, Hawaii Polo Life winning on 8 goals to 1 from San Saba/Polo Gear.
Meanwhile Hurlingham Polo Association in the UK has implemented measures to keep polo in play for the 2020 season in a coordinated response with all clubs. All names of everyone entering clubs are to be retained on permanent record while each person is to certify that they are free of virus symptom. Hand sanitising measures are being put in place and anyone with signs of sickness are to avoid entering their club for at least seven days.
Self-isolation measures are to be imposed for 14 days after being in contact with affected persons, and clubs should discourage attendance by the public in accordance with social distancing measures.
“Our priority is to keep the sport open,” said a statement issued by HPA Chairman Nick Wiles. “There may be a need to show flexibility in some areas but there is no reason why polo as played on most days at most clubs should not go ahead subject to any conditions imposed by the Government.”
The HPA has set up a Steering Group to deal specifically with Covid 19 and its implications for the 2020 polo season.
