Training and competition plans are in hand for England. But in Scotland and Wales there’s limited immediate change.
As horse sports prepare to resume activity, British Equestrian (BEF) has summarised its member bodies’ plans.
Showjumping is already underway, with dressage and eventing due to start in the first week of July.
The running of affiliated competition is subject to Covid-19 protocol. Levels of activity in Scotland and Wales depends on what’s allowed by respective devolved governments.
Scotland
Scotland has moved into phase two, which means three households can now meet outdoors. This now allows professional coaches and riding school instructors to deliver training to a maximum of two households per day.
Wales
Latest announcements in Wales included the re-opening of non-essential shops from Monday, 22 June and paved the way for sport to resume.
However, with travel restricted to five miles and activity only permitted with members from your household or one additional household, sporting activity is limited to training. The ‘stay local’ requirement is expected to be lifted on 6 July.
Sporting body updates
A number of the British Equestrian member bodies covering competitive disciplines have announced details regarding a restart of action in England, and have launched plans outlining their ‘road maps’ to getting competitors back training and competing.
This is the current state of play (England only unless stated):
British Carriage Driving
Training underway, with the first national competition planned for 14 – 16 August.
British Dressage
Training in the English regions, and limited live and online training in Wales and Scotland. Online competitions operational for all and live competition planned to resume in England from 1 July.
British Equestrian Vaulting
Limited one-to-one training in England and Scotland (under the government guidance), and awaiting further government guidance on amateur team sports before competition can resume.
British Eventing
Regional training in place and plans for the resumption of competition have been approved by Sport England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), ahead of scheduled start of 4 July in England.
British Horseball Association
Limited one-to-one training, awaiting further government guidance on team sports.
British Reining
No update at present – activity suspended.
British Showjumping
Training underway and phase one of competition resumed on 15 June.
Endurance GB
Training and small non-competitive events underway and awaiting further government updates for a July restart for larger non-competitive events and competitions.
Mounted Games Association of Great Britain
No training currently taking place, but working on middle to end of July for a resumption of competition.
Riding for the Disabled Association
Social distancing requirements are preventing most centres from resuming activity. The target is to have 20% of groups operating by the end of September and 60% by the end of the year.
The British Horse Society / British Riding Clubs
Training underway in England and Northern Ireland, and online competitions operational in all nations. Live competitions resume 1 July in England and Northern Ireland.
The Pony Club
Training and small rallies underway in England, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and Northern Ireland, but only one-to-one coaching in Wales and Scotland within the five mile restriction. Online competitions operational for all nations and the anticipated start date for live competitions at local and interbranch level is 4 July.
The Showing Council
Working on an operational blueprint for the resumption of shows under government guidelines.
UK Polocrosse Association
Training underway in England with the hope that small competitions will be able to resume soon, in line with guidance for amateur team sports.
Image by Darrel Collins from Pixabay
