Coronavirus – Updates
The British Horse Society …”has been monitoring the Government’s guidance to protect people during the Covid-19 outbreak. We recognise this is a challenging and worrying time for individuals in the industry both professionally and personally.
We advise that Approved Centre activity and freelance coaching by Accredited Professional Coaches may continue where the government guidelines regarding good hygiene can be introduced and maintained safely.
We recommend Approved Centres and Accredited Professional Coaches follow government advice for staff and clients regarding self isolation, hygiene, protecting vulnerable groups and social distancing. Please see BHS website for links to relevant information and the FAQs.
This is a uniquely difficult time for all of us but with safe measures in place the ability to ride and be with our equine partners provides an outdoor activity with known physical and mental health benefits.
We are looking at ways in which we can support all our members through this time. However we will be cancelling or postponing all BHS Assessments CPD activity, Safeguarding and First aid courses until the end of June 2020. As a result all APCs and Approved Centres will be able to extend the window for maintaining both safeguarding and first aid requirements until 31 December 2020. On line safeguarding provisions will continue and the safeguarding team will be able to provide support during this time.
We are aware that some of our Centres are in need of temporary staffing cover and would welcome support from our freelance community. We would encourage all APC’s who are able to assist to contact their local Approved Centre.
Please be assured that we are all committed to supporting all of our members, centres coaches and the wider equestrian community. If you have any questions, please contact:
Accredited Professional Coaches team via accreditedprofessionals@bhs.org.uk or 02476 840565
Approved Establishments team approvals@bhs.org.uk or 02476 840509″
Sent to All West Midlands BHS Volunteers:
“I’m sorry to say that the decision has been taken to cancel or postpone all local events and activities up to the end of June 2020. The senior management team has been reviewing the response to yesterday’s government announcement and feels that this is the only action we can take. A separate communication is being sent to you all from HQ.
I’m sure on a personal level, we’ve all ‘lost’ events, trips or holidays we’d been looking forward to. But in these uncertain times, we all have to look out for each other, and one of the best ways to do that is, ironically, to not see each other! I have already cancelled or postponed several events to the end of April but will now extend this to the end of June.
If anyone gets any grief about cancelled events, please direct the complainant to me and I will explain our position.
As far as committee meetings are concerned, these should not take place in person either. We have use of a video/phone conferencing system, which people can either log in to online using a tablet/computer/phone, or just phone in to if they don’t or would prefer that option. I’ve already postponed the Regional and Worcestershire meetings in early April but will reorganise these as conferences and email links out to committee members in due course.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you need. Meantime, best wishes to you all and please take care of yourselves.
I look forward to seeing you all again in better times.
Regards, Andrea”
British Eventing COVID-19 Statement – All BE events cancelled with immediate effect:
“In light of the government announcement today, the Board of British Eventing has taken 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 that the responsible decision is to take all action necessary not to further burden the NHS or risk members’ safety at events.
We thank all of 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.
For those events that have passed ballot date, members will have their entries refunded under the abandonment insurance and those pre-ballot will be refunded in full.
We will update you all as soon as we have any further information.”
Event organisers, please remember to keep Hereford Equestrian updated with the status of your shows and event.
Coronavirus news is everywhere, but to keep up with what’s happening in the horse world, visit https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/tag/coronavirus
British Dressage: www.britishdressage.co.uk/bd-info/coronoavirus-covid-19/
Pony Club: pcuk.org/latest-news/the-pony-club-statement-on-covid-19-updated-16th-march/
