COVID-19 GUIDELINES AND BEST PRACTICES

It is very important to note that these guidelines and best practices are mandated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), State and Local Government. Failure to comply by any individual can potentially result in expulsion from the show and risk the complete shutdown of the event by local officials.

Trainers are responsible for ensuring that their clients have read and fully understand the policies and procedures.

The guidelines are focused on three factors recommended by the CDC and state and local health officials to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 virus.
They include: Maintaining social/physical distancing, good hand hygiene and staying home if you are sick.

General

• Screening and monitoring – All West Palms Events (WPEM) competition staff received training on staying healthy in the Covid-19 environment. All staff temperatures and symptoms are monitored daily. Competition staff with a temperature greater or equal to 99.5 degrees F. are not allowed to work.
• Sanitation – Toilet facilities will be cleaned daily and disinfected. High touch surfaces like hand washing/sanitizing stations, the show office will be frequently wiped down and sanitized.
• Social/Physical Distancing Contract – while on the competition grounds, participants, officials, service providers, trainers and grooms agree to follow the 6 foot (2 arm’s length) social distancing guideline. Social or physical distancing means keeping a 6-foot distance between you and other individuals who are not consistently living the same household.
• Social Distancing Enforcement – Social distancing requirements will be enforced throughout the competition grounds. All WPEM competition staff have the authority to warn and remind anyone on the competition grounds of the necessity of social distancing.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – A cloth facemask or face covering is required for all competition staff, officials, trainers, service providers and participants when not mounted on a horse and/or when unable to maintain a minimum of 6 feet from others.
• Signage – Signs are posted throughout the competition grounds and with recommendations about good hand hygiene along with information about ways to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and how to recognize symptoms.
• Communication Plan – WPEM will notify all participants and competition staff if a person who was present on the competition grounds tests positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of the conclusion of competition.
• Emergency Response Plan – An Emergency Response Plan specific to a COVID-19 incident or outbreak has been established and will be provided in writing upon request.
• Occupancy – Daily competition occupancy and stabling are based on maintaining social/physical distancing. Waitlist policy is unchanged and available in the Prize List.

Venue Access

• All staff, officials, service providers and participants with a temperature below or equal to 99.5° F (37.5° C) may enter the competition grounds.
• Participant and/or service provider agreement to the daily temperature monitoring policy is attested by signature on the WPEM online COVID waiver.
• Venue access will be controlled by use of wristbands only those authorized will be given wristbands upon entrance.

• Anyone entering the property will have their temperature taken, everytime they enter the property.
• The public and spectators, are prohibited on the competition grounds.
• Exhibitors may bring one additional person with them to the show, for a minor this should be a parent or guardian.
• Owners may attend the show only to watch their horse(s).
• We ask that only essential persons be in the stable area.
• Anyone who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or has been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last two weeks, cannot enter the competition grounds.
• Absence of Covid-19 symptoms or exposure is attested by participant and/or service provider signature on the WPEM waiver.

Show Office – Checking in and Out

• Competition office access is restricted to essential personnel and/or actions only.
• Online options are available for bedding, feed, entries, add/drop changes
• When entering the competition office adherence to social distancing and face coverings are required.
• Hand sanitizing is required prior to show office entry and upon exiting.

Stabling

• Access to the stabling area is restricted to essential personnel – veterinarians, equine caretakers (grooms), trainers and participants.
• Non-essential individuals should not enter the stabling area.
• Do not enter other barn aisles or stabling areas.
• Handwashing stations will be provided.
• Trainers should provide facemasks, hand sanitizer and other cleaning/disinfecting products for their staff/customers/barn for use while on competition grounds.

Stabling Areas – Sanitation / Biosecurity

• Handwashing or hand sanitization should be done upon entering and exiting the stabling area.
• Touch only the equipment and supplies necessary for completing tasks of caring for and exercising the specific horse(s).
• Feed/Bedding delivery by competition staff will be made with as little contact as possible.
• Trainers are required to regularly sanitize bikes/motorbikes/golf carts/car & truck door handles, and other high touch places.

Daily Competition Procedures

• Competition/Classes are organized for “Show and Go” by condensing as many classes of a division (or similar divisions) into as short a time frame as possible. This will allow people to arrive, show and go home within a shorter time frame.
• Course walks will be adjusted to maintain physical/social distancing.
• Time will be adjusted to allow access.
• Facemask or face covering is required.
• Mounting blocks are available to reduce person-to-person contact when mounting a horse.

Competition Rings/Schooling / Warm-up Areas

• Each competition ring will have a dedicated schooling area with 3-4 practice jumps.
• Face masks or face covering is required when not mounted on a horse.
• Hand sanitizing is required upon entry and exit.
• Warm-up rings will be closely monitored to avoid crowding.
• Cleaning of jump cups will be done regularly.
• One trainer and one groom may accompany the participant to the ring.  Back gate area is restricted to just the participant, one trainer and one groom.

Food and Hospitality

• On-site food provider will have a limited grab and go menu and will be available for the duration of the show day.
• Social/physical distancing of 6 feet must be maintained while waiting or picking up food.
• Limited seating is available while keeping with social distancing guidelines.
• Trainers should ensure adequate food and beverage supplies for their barn and support staff for the duration of the competition to avoid unnecessary community exposure.
• Limited seating is available while keeping with social distancing guidelines.

Awards

• Ribbons and awards may be picked-up at the awards office.