MIDDLEBURG, Va.--The National Steeplechase Association’s spring race meets, the Middleburg Spring Races on June 13 and the Virginia Gold Cup on June 27, will be conducted under health and safety best practices mandated by the Virginia Department of Health to control the spread of the new coronavirus and the disease that it causes, COVID-19.

Middleburg races at Glenwood Park The Department of Health detailed the standards for outdoor racetracks as part of its Phase 1 reopening under the Forward Virginia program.

Attendance will be limited to trainers with horses in the races, handlers, jockeys, essential race-meet officials and personnel, veterinarians, and meet physicians.

Owners will not be permitted to attend the races.

Video coverage of the races will be provided on race days through the generosity of an NSA member who wishes to remain anonymous.

 

THE NEW York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced that the Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course will open for training on Thursday, June 4.

The barn area at Oklahoma will open to horsemen beginning Tuesday, June 2.

The Oklahoma Training Track and Whitney Viewing Stand will be closed to owners and the public.

 

ACCESS will be restricted to essential personnel duly licensed by NYRA and the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC).

In consultation with the NYSGC and state and local public health officials, NYRA has implemented a comprehensive set of health and safety protocols designed to protect and mitigate risk for employees, horsemen, backstretch workers and the Saratoga community.

The opening of the Oklahoma Training Track was delayed from its traditional mid-April timeline due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The summer meet at Saratoga Race Course is scheduled to begin on Thursday, July 16 and run through Labor Day, Monday, September 7.

 

ESSEX Horse Trials Country Weekend has bee canceled due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Scheduled for July 18-19 at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, N.J., the Essex Horse Trials features world-class and up-and-coming riders competing in Advanced and through Beginner Novice divisions.

"This is disappointing for all of us" said Ralph Jones, President of the Essex Horse Trials. "We considered various ways where we might be able to proceed but none with which we felt completely comfortable. In the end, nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our 300 competitors, 182 volunteers and nearly 5,000 spectators and that is the overriding factor."

 

PRINCETON Show Jumping's Six Week USEF Summer Series can start June 24.

Now, the bad news: The two one-day shows for June 7 and June 21 are canceled.

There is no doubt that our horse community is very interested in a return to competitive riding and showing.

Thank you to the trainers and riders who illustrated this by entering the shows we had scheduled for early June.

Our show office posted an incredible 550+ horses for a one-day show! Remarkable.

But in the most recent update, N.J. Governor Murphy stated the allowance of Outdoor Non-contact Sports starting June 22nd.

Wonderful news, encouraging a slow opening in efforts to mitigate the effects Covid-19 in our state.

Just in time for the start of our all-new Princeton Summer Series that begins June 24 and runs for six weeks.

* Weeks 1 & 2 are USEF approved Jumpers and Outreach, "AA" Hunters & Equitation are pending USEF approval.

Weeks 3 and 5 are USEF "A" Hunter, Jumper, Equitation shows. Weeks 4 and 6 are USEF "AA" Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation shows.