Dressage-News

WELLINGTON, Florida, Mar. 26, 2021–Restrictions that prevented horses from outside Wellington access to the Global Dressage and Winter Equestrian Festivals during concerns over Equine Herpes Virus will be lifted as of next Monday, Equestrian Sport Productions announced Friday.

The restrictions were implemented initially after an outbreak in Ocala, about four hours north of Wellington, three weeks ago.

The decision to lift the restrictions was made after conferring with state and local veterinarians, as well as the US Equestrian Veterinary Department, ESP said, “who all agreed that the restrictions were no longer needed due to the containment of the recent outbreak in Ocala.

“As of this upcoming Monday, horses that are located outside of Wellington, or any that have traveled recently will be allowed on-site for competition.”

The modification applies to both the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and Equestrian Village, the homes of the Winter Equestrian Festival and Global Dressage Festival.

Some protocols remain in place, however, including a requirement for a signed declaration that horses entering the facility are healthy and have not been exposed to any horses with a fever of unknown origin.

As of Monday, Mar. 29, only horses shipping onto the property that have not previously competed at either GDF or WEF will require a health certificate or statement on official licensed veterinarian letterhead and must be dated by a veterinarian within seven days of arriving.

All barns on the show grounds will also have to maintain a temperature log with twice-daily recordings.

GDF and WEF have major international and national competitions scheduled for next week, including a wrap up of the 12-week long winter dressage circuit.