UPDATE 18h15 Saturday 19th December
By unanimous decision of the committee of the Hodgemoor Riding Association, the Christmas Dressage tomorrow is cancelled.
We regret very much the interruption to our festive and sportive pleasures, but the seriousness of the infection risk is too great. The event will be rescheduled in the future whenever we get to the new normal.
Happy Christmas to everyone despite the bad world news and the impositions of Tier 4 on your lives. Stay safe.
Marcus and Susie
UPDATE 17h40 Saturday 19th December.
Dressage: decision at 19h tonight.
At 17h30 on Saturday the Government’s official web page has not been updated. There is however the transcript of the PM’s speech (https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/prime-ministers-statement-on-coronavirus-covid-19-19-december-2020) which puts us into Tier 4 as of tomorrow. The relevant passage reads “Non-essential retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities, and personal care services must close” i.e. outdoor sports can continue.
However, some of the organising team join us in thinking that the serious health risk of the “rapid spread … now being driven by the new variant of the virus” means an unwarranted risk for competitors and officials at the event tomorrow. It is also likely that some wouls think of a decision to continue with the event as contentious, i.e. flying in the face of the basics of the new Tier 4 advice, which is “stay at home”.
We expect to make a decision on cancellation at 19h today Saturday.
End of update
At the dressage event tomorrow, Covid-19 measures will be in force. A competitor may be asked not to compete if the measures cannot be respected.
Spectators are not permitted, apologies. Each competitor may bring just one other person as a helper or companion. Therefore, if you are not involved, please do not come.
Competitors: Susie has already emailed you, but do please make sure you have read the Covid-19 Measures, which we attach here in case you do not have them to hand. Most important:
- Ensure the NHS Covid-19 app is loaded on your smart phone and that of your companion.
- Check in with the Covid-19 marshal on arrival (Kay Miklausic till 10h45, then Geoff Gudgion, in the car park before mounting, armed with your smart phone and wearing a mask (not required when on horseback).
- When mounted. do not leave the car park until called forward by a marshal (max 3 horses in the warm-up arena).
We also await (at 16h45 on Saturday) news of the imposition of Tier 4 in Buckinghamshire and what that means for the event.