A COVID SAFE RETURN TO EQUESTRIAN ACTIVITIES

Equestrian Victoria (EV), Pony Club Victoria (PCV) and the Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria (HRCAV) are committed to ensuring the health and safety of our members and community. We continue to remain engaged with all levels of government and industry bodies around the COVID-19 situation, providing you with the latest information as it translates to our sporting landscape.
Following Friday’s announcement by the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison about the national 3-step recovery plan, and this morning’s announcement by the Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews there is now a gradual easing of government restrictions that will allow the resumption of SOME equestrian activities.

From 11.59pm tomorrow evening (Tuesday 12 May), outdoor recreational activities can be undertaken in groups of up to 10 participants, subject to social distancing and hygiene measures being implemented. This means members may now:

• Ride off property 
• Travel horses locally and regionally including for training/coaching – but no overnight stays
• Participate in outdoor training/coaching activities with a maximum of 10 participants

Note:
i. Riders should check with venue as owners/managers who may have venue specific restrictions
ii. Social distancing (1.5m) and good hygiene MUST be maintained
iii. These allowances are for outdoor areas only – no gatherings for recreational activities indoors are permitted
iv. Groups can be no larger than 10 (plus the coaches and helpers required to run the activity). More than one group of 10 can be present on a venue at the same time, if the different groups are physically well separated on different parts of the venue. No other facilities except toilet facilities may be used.
v. An indoor gathering refers to a gathering within a single enclosed area (i.e. an area, room or premises that is or are substantially enclosed by a roof and walls, regardless of whether the roof or walls or any part of them are permanent, temporary, open or closed).

Members may continue to:

• Have coaches, farriers, trainers, vets, and other equine professionals attend your property
• Attend agistment centres to care for horses subject to venue owner/manager specific restrictions

The approach to activities/training should focus on ‘get in, train, get out’, minimising unnecessary contact in stables, toilet facilities, and any communal areas.

BE SAFE, CAUTIOUS & APPROPRIATE.

The Premier’s announcement is effective until 11.59pm 31 May, by which time we should have a more detailed plan that we can build upon to support the return to events and competitions here in Victoria, guiding our sport out of this crisis.

We understand the desire from members to return to group activities and competitions as soon as possible. EV equally shares this desire and we look forward to further announcements by the Victoria government over the coming week(s). We will release a more detailed and a stepped plan once we have that information.

The equine community is well positioned to move through the federal government and AIS frameworks. However, it is likely that modifications will be required to some of our current resources to mitigate additional risks related to COVID-19 based on government advice.

We thank you for your continued support during this challenging period and encourage members to contact the EV, PCV or HRCAV offices (as appropriate) if we can be of any assistance with advice or support. Please note, that our office hours and days have not changed since our last announcement.

Let’s all continue to exercise caution – we don’t want to take a backward step just as we begin to move forward.

Matthew Brown
Chief Executive Officer - Equestrian Victoria (EV)

Rick Gill
Executive Officer – Pony Club Victoria (PCV)

Sally Mizzi
Administrative Officer – Horse Riding Club Association of Victoria (HRCAV)

RELATED LINKS:

GRADUAL EASING OF RESTRICITONS:
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/gradual-easing-restrictions-covid-19
SPORT AND EXERCISE:
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/sport-cultural-and-recreational-activities-r...