If you haven’t been to the grounds of the Winter Equestrian Festival or the Adequan Global Dressage Festival since Covid shut them down last March, don’t be surprised to find things quite different on your return this year.
Those fleeing to Florida, with or without horses, are learning that the “no spectators” rule, which has been in effect since competition resumed in June, will continue at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and Equestrian Village in Wellington. It’s quite disappointing for people who have been drawn to the municipality by the amenity of being able to watch great horses and riders in action. Many enthusiasts view the winter and early spring shows as a highlight of their year.
But if you aren’t showing, or one of the two guests permitted to attend per rider, a sponsor or a horse owner, you are not allowed to drop by what has beem a wildly popular destination for visitors. Guests must register, which means management knows exactly who is on the showgrounds.
Big crowds have been a regular “Saturday Night Lights” feature at PBIEC. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
Lack of spectators is particularly disappointing because so many riders will be coming from Europe, where numerous indoor shows have been shut down. That means WEF and AGDF will be even more star-studded than usual. The entire Japanese dressage team is coming, and a record 10 to 12 countries will be competing in the show jumping Nations Cup. Many of the riders will be getting ready to make a bid for participating in the Tokyo Olympics.
But since most fans won’t be able to cheer them on in person, and getting horses used to performing in front of a crowd–important preparation for the Olympics and other big stages–is one function of training that isn’t happening..The facilities can’t chance that there will be a Covid incident leading to the shutdown of competition.
“We don’t want to take any risks with any of the competitors or anybody involved in the show world,” explained Michael Stone, president of Equestrian Sport Productions, which puts on the dressage and hunter/jumper series.
Although Florida doesn’t have restrictions on the number of people who can attend outdoor sporting events (the Super Bowl is scheduled for next month in Tampa) “no spectators” at licensed shows is a U.S. Equestrian Federation rule.
Is the possibility of hosting horse show fans even on the horizon? Michael said at a press conference yesterday that if Covid “suddenly, miraculously got under control, we’d certainly be open to it.”
USEF has stated that should Covid rates decrease over the next three or four months with the advent of the vaccine, “active preparations are ongoing for the day when we can gradually allow USEF competitions to host spectators once again. We are currently developing the necessary protocols to evaluate when this can safely occur.”
USEF advised, however, that the numbers would be “restricted” when it moves cautiously to allow attendance by the public.
Steffen Peters is coming from California to the Adequan Global Dressage Festival with Suppenkasper and two other horses, but there will be no fans saluting his performance at the Friday Night Stars freestyle as they did last year before the Covid shutdown. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
ESP’s priorities, meanwhile, are for those involved with making a living at the shows.
“So many people work on a day rate (as freelancers) that “if the show doesn’t happen, they don’t get paid,” Michael observed.
“That’s really a significant factor in our decision-making,” he said.
“The biggest challenge is to keep everybody safe and hopefully Covid fatigue won’t set in,”
Although there will be VIP areas as usual for sponsors, horse owners and officials, the numbers allowed in will be limited, but Michael noted that demand for ringside gathering has dropped as the pandemic drags on.Those who don’t attend can watch at pbiec.com
Although there had been talk of scrapping the Great Charity Challenge, in which jumper riders traditionally compete in costume to the delight of the fans, it was decided to go ahead. The challenge has raised $14.8 million for non-profit organizations in Palm Beach County, and the need this year is particularly great because of food shortages for so many due to Covid.
Luckily for ESP, the fact that fans get in free (except for parking fees) means it’s not losing a ton of money by keeping them away. Michael noted that all the sponsors except the Carnival Cruise line (which can’t sail at the moment) are back on board.
“Will we make any money?” Michael asked rhetorically. “Very little. But we will survive.”
