First Officially Approved Dressage Shows Return to USA

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Lily Hugen a youth rider on Something Special competing at national 1st level test 1 was the first combination in the show ring at the Long Lake, Minnesota national competition. The judge was Jodi Lees.

June 5, 2020

Officially approved dressage competitions returned to the United States Friday for the first time since suspension of shows in mid-March due to coronavirus and just 15 miles/25km from where the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis 10 days ago sparked protests throughout the nation.

Dressage at Alpine in Long Lake, Minnesota began Friday, the first of a total of 12 U.S. Equestrian Federation-approved shows in five states–Florida, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin–over the weekend.

Long Lake received 52 entries of horse and rider combinations over three days following the rules requiring face masks except for riders and social distancing.

Preparing for the first official competition ride at Long Lake, Minnesota since mid-March. Under US federation rules face covering is required except for riders.

The Covid-19 pandemic led to decimation of show calendars around the world, forcing cancellation of the World Cup Final scheduled for Las Vegas in mid-April and postponement of the Olympics in Tokyo for a year.

The disruption of equestrian competition has seeped into 2021 with cancellation of the European Championships of dressage and jumping and closing a small number of qualifiers for the World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden next April.

Some organizers have applied for replacement shows as a sign of easing of restrictions.