LEXINGTON, KY.--The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association has announced a new date and location for the 2020 USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - East as a result of the cancellation of the Brandywine Horse Shows at the Devon show grounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event will now be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., on Sunday, Aug. 23, in conjunction with the USEF Junior Hunter National Championships – East Coast.
There have been no changes to the qualifying criteria at this time.
The class is open to any rider that is an active USHJA Junior member at the time of the competition and has won a USEF Hunter Seat Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search or Overall WIHS Equitation Classic during the qualifying period from June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.
The qualified rider list, which is updated on a weekly basis until finalized in June, is available at ushja.org/gladstone.
THE UPPERVILLE Colt & Horse Show and the Loudoun Benefit Horse Show announced the cancellation of both competitions, originally scheduled for June 1-7 and June 10-14, respectively.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, the Upperville Board of Directors and the Loudoun Board of Directors made this decision unanimously after evaluating many options, including postponement, in order to run both events in-tandem.
The decision was made in the best interest of both event's standards, staff, exhibitors and community-at-large.
Joe Fargis, President of Upperville,saidd, "Although saddened that we will not hold this year's horse show, we feel the most responsible decision was made for our event at this time. Despite the disappointment, our priority is to keep our staff and exhibitors safe. After reviewing information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, USEF and other regulatory organizations, we felt the best decision was made. Our community is resilient and supportive, and we look forward to producing an incredible event in 2021."
Shelby Bonnie, President of the Loudoun, added, "Unfortunately, the Board of Loudoun Benefit Horse Show shares the same health concerns and made the decision to cancel our event as well. It is unfortunate that these two great Virginia horse shows will not be held this year. We look forward to putting on great events in 2021."
Any pre-payments sent to the office for stalls or entries for this year's events will be voided.
The Upperville Colt & Horse Show will return to the Salem and Grafton showgrounds June 7-13 in 2021, with the Loudoun Benefit Horse Show taking place June 16-21, 2021.