Sparsholt are maintaining their lock down so the indoor competition on 26th January 2020 is cancelled. Entries will be transferred to February automatically, or please contact Julia for a refund.

Wessex Indoor Competition 26th January 2020 and the EHV1 Outbreak in Hampshire

As horse lovers the committee takes the precautions around this outbreak very seriously, animal welfare is our first concern. Our Wessex Indoor competition is held at Sparsholt college,  who have taken the precautionary decision to cancel external bookings until 18th January but are hopeful to run their dressage event on the 25th January (communicated via a Facebook post 11am 9th January). Our organiser Julia Crockford is in contact with the college, monitoring the situation.

The Animal Health Trust has issued advice stating that all horses who have recently visited the Crofton Manor should be immediately isolated for a period of 14 days and that owners seek veterinary advice regarding clinical monitoring and laboratory test clearance.    

Liphook Equine Hospital announced on 8th January that they also have EHV-1 on their yard and have issued the following information and advice: liphookequinehospital.co.uk/news/2020/01/8th-january-2020-isolation-horses-liphook-equine-hospital/

It is hoped that the SCDC Indoor Event on the 26th January 2020 will be able to go ahead, meaning that we are accepting entries. In the situation whereby Sparsholt College decides to cancel the event, the January entries will automatically be transferred to the next competition which is being held on 23rd February 2020.

As was the case in 2019 for the Equine Flu outbreaks, should Sparsholt decide that the competition can take place, but Wessex decides to cancel the competition, the club will still be charged for the hire of the venue.

In light of the above, we repeat our recommendation to any of our members who are taking their horses away from home that they maintain a good level of bio-security – see the BEF website for advice: www.bef.co.uk/Detail.aspx?page=Horse-Health-Biosecurity

Many thanks,
The SCDC Committee