IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM EQUESTRIAN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its effect upon Equestrian WA organised events

Equestrian WA’s priority is the safety of its members and our community, with the current ever-changing situation regarding Covid-19 the following measures have been taken:

• The Equestrian WA Saddles Plus Interschools Championship 16-19th April 2020 has been postponed, and an alternative date is yet to be confirmed.
• All Equestrian WA Officials and Coaches seminars and workshops are cancelled until further notice. Equestrian WA has requested that EA provide amnesty to all officials and coaches regarding required activities to maintain their accreditation for the remainder of the year.
• Equestrian WA Squads including Rising Stars activities both on and off horse will be cancelled until further notice.
• The proposed Equestrian WA Strategic Planning workshop has been postponed until further notice.
• The Milne Feeds Education Series Seminar has been postponed until further notice, and we will be investigating videoing seminars for delivery via the Internet.
• The Equestrian WA Off The Track program is under review. Entrants in the Busselton clinic and competition on the 28th and 29th March will be advised if it is going ahead.
• The Dressage WA Dressage Development Series event scheduled on the 26th and 27th March is now cancelled.

All these decisions have been made with the safety of our members paramount in our actions. EWA will continue to manage the situation and keep you informed.

COVID-19 and its effect upon Equestrian WA Affiliated Clubs and the holding of events

Equestrian Western Australia has consulted with several agencies and can provide the following suggested processes to organising committees to consider when assessing their upcoming competitions and clinics.

As circumstances and recommendations change, we will update this document.  The final decision as to whether to proceed with any competition rests with each Organising Committee.

As per Government advice, all gathering of people over 500 people are banned and they are not to be held.

Competitions or clinics held over one day.

All those that attend are required to follow WA Health Department guidelines with the main points to be followed;

• You are not to participate if you have or have been in close contact with someone who has coronavirus (Covid-19).
• You are not to attend if you are unwell, or are showing symptoms such as the runny nose, fever, cough, and sore throat or breathing difficulties.
• You are not to attend if you have returned from overseas in the 14 days preceding any event.

All attending must follow the WA Department of Health personal hygiene recommendations regarding Covid-19.

The organiser is to adhere to the principles of social distancing and avoid meetings and larger groups of people where possible.

Events attendance guidelines to reduce the total number of people at any event at any one time;

• Essential personal only, spectators are to be discouraged.
• Participants are to be supported by essential support only, groom, and guardian.

All organisers must offer refunds for any competitor withdrawing from the event.

Competitions clinics held over two days or more.

All those that attend are required to follow WA Health Department guidelines with the main points to be followed;

• You are not to participate if you have or have been in close contact with someone who has coronavirus (Covid-19).
• You are not to attend if you are unwell, or are showing symptoms such as runny nose, fever, cough, sore throat or breathing difficulties.
• You are not to attend if you have returned from overseas in the 14 days preceding any event.

The organiser is to adhere to the principles of social distancing and avoid meetings and larger groups of people where possible.

Events attendance guidelines several the total number of people at any event at any one time;

• Essential personal only, spectators are to be discouraged.
• Participants are to be supported by essential support only, groom, and guardian.
• Camping is discouraged, participants to seek alternative accommodation off-site.
• Organising Committees encouraged to restructure event to enable participants to attend one day only if possible.

All organisers must offer refunds for any competitor withdrawing from the event.
Clubs and event organisers are encouraged to check the health authority’s website regularly for up to date information.

COVID-19 and its effect upon Equestrian WA Sport committees.

• Equestrian WA has a telephone conference call facility and all Sport committees’ are to offer their members the option to phone in. The Chair of each committee will be given the details. However, only one Sport Committee meeting can be held at any one time. To join in a dial-in session, committee members would have to committee members dial in 9468 7151, followed by the Guest code “39829960#”
• The CEO must approve all Sport committee expenses, and no unauthorised accounts will be paid.
• No air travel will be authorised until further notice.
• State Championships’ are to remain in the planning phase at this stage with the hope that they will be able to be held as planned.
• Committee members are not to attend meetings if you have or have been in close contact with someone who has coronavirus (Covid-19).
• Committee members are not to attend meetings if you are unwell, or are showing symptoms such as runny nose, fever, cough, sore throat or breathing difficulties.
• Committee members are not to attend a meeting if you have returned from overseas in the 14 days preceding.
• All attendees must follow the WA Department of Health personal hygiene recommendations regarding Covid-19.

Equestrian WA thanks you for your continued support during this time and look forward to resuming the delivery of successful events where our members can enjoy the opportunity to live their equestrian dream.

For more information on coronavirus (Covid-19), visit:

• WA Department of Health
• Call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
• General or travel related queries about coronavirus
• Visit the Australian Department of Health website or details about the novel coronavirus