We lost the World Cup finals and Kentucky 5-star in April, the Devon Horse Show in May, Aachen in June and of course, the Olympics in July and early August. Will the cancellations due to the pandemic ever end?
Sadly, they continue. Today’s victim is Monmouth at the Team, the innovative August show at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone. Although the fixture that would have marked its 125th anniversary this year is the oldest show in New Jersey, it’s not an AA-rated hunter show or a 4-star jumper competition. In fact, it has four B-rated days, one unrecognized day and Level 3 jumpers.
The Bobcat Derby is always a special feature of Monmouth at the Team. Note the bobcat ears on the rider’s helmet. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
But what has made it so special and popular is its ringside hospitality component, with tables offering a view of the action and the opportunity to share drinks, meals and music with friends.
That is also what has led to its cancellation.
Explaining why he gave notice in April that it won’t be held nearly four months later, Tucker Ericson said he wanted to give notice to vendors, staff and competitors so they could make other plans.
“We didn’t have a choice,” said Tucker about the cancellation of the show he co-owns with his cousin, Michael Dowling.
“Unfortunately, even in August, the virus is going to be around and our horse show is all about the community under that tent together, and at the ingate together,” he continued.
“It would be impossible to put it on. Even if we scrapped all the hospitality and the vendors and tried to do social distancing, it would not be feasible financially because it’s a one-ring show and really we need all that to make it work.”
The view of the ring from tables in the hospitality tent is a key feature of Monmouth at the Team. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Tucker decided to call Claudine Liberatore, who owns more shows in New Jersey than anyone else, and suggest she organize a show elsewhere on Monmouth’s dates, August 10-17.
“August is going to be a great date for somebody to hold a horse show; it just doesn’t work for Monmouth at the Team,” he said.
He told Claudine, “So why don’t you run a show at another facility where several rings make it easier for people to come in and show, social distance and leave. That way,the horse community of New Jersey doesn’t lose shows that week.”
He contacted the U.S. Equestrian Federation, saying he was willing to give up the show and ” ‘would love to offer our dates to Claudine, so that way there’s not a void in the calendar.’ It’s not ideal, but we need to focus on 2021.”
Claudine is awaiting her licenses for two back-to-back National A-rated shows at Duncraven in Titusville, Mercer County on the Monmouth dates. As Tucker pointed out, with enough space, “Being at a horse show, if you’re careful, is not much different than playing golf. It’s an outdoor sport, you can keep people apart. No party, unfortunately.”
USEF is working toward “a safe return to competition” as early as June 1. There will have to be a phased regional approach in line with local and state government restrictions, which vary across the country. The federation is holding a webinar on May 4 at 3 p.m. (which will also be available after it is completed) outlining USEF guidelines for competitions to insure health and safety. These guidelines have been developed by Dr. Mark Hart, USEF’s team physician and chair of the FEI (international equestrian federation) medical committee, with input from competition management. Panelists in addition to Dr. Hart will include USEF CEO Bill Moroney, USEF General Counsel Sonja Keating, Equestrian Sport Productions President Michael Stone, and trainer John Madden.
With a restart still at least a month away, many in the horse show world are finding themselves without a means of support. Monmouth show organizers are suggesting that those who want to make a donation to help others affected by the show cancellations contact the equestrian relief fund and the equestrian aid foundation.
Camp Leaping Horn has been a regular summer outing in Gladstone for side-saddle enthusiasts who want lessons to improve their skills and enjoy the camaraderie with like-minded riders. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
After hearing about Monmouth, we got word of more cancellations. This summer’s Side-Saddle Camp Leaping Horn and the Liberty Side-Saddle show that follows it are not going to be held at the USET Foundation.
“With the number of national and international travelers camp accommodates every year, the spread of COVID 19, and the close quarters of USET, it is just not worth the risk to any of my side-saddle sisters,” stated organizer Jennifer Stevenson.
“Once quarantines and travel bans start to lift, I will be announcing smaller ‘Camps.’ My staff and I are working on new protocol to help everyone have fun and still respect social distancing for when we resume, in an effort to help keep everyone safe.”
She hopes the camp will return to the USET Foundation in 2021.
And also today we had yet another New Jersey cancellation–The Tewksbury barn tour that was to be held in July under the sponsorship of the Tewksbury Trail Association and the Tewksbury Historical Association. It will be organized in 2022 rather than next year, so as not to conflict with Alexandria Township’s 2021 barn tour.
