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25 May Update - A Covid Safe Return to Equestrian Activities

Equestrian Victoria, Pony Club Victoria and the 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 equestrian activity.

We thank all our members and the broader equestrian community for your hard work to ensure restrictions can be eased by the state government.

Restrictions were eased from 11 May 2020 and yesterday further restrictions were announced by the Victorian State Government. Effective 1 June 2020 up to 20 people may gather outdoors, with a further easing 22 June 2020 that will allow for up to 20 people to gather indoors in groups of 10.

EFFECTIVE FROM 1 JUNE 2020

Outdoor recreational activities can be undertaken in groups of up to 20 participants, subject to social distancing and hygiene measures being implemented. This means members may continue to:

Ride off property
Travel horses locally and regionally including for training/coaching – overnight stays at friend or family premises permitted subject to current restrictions
Participate in outdoor training/coaching activities with a maximum of 20 participants

Note:

Riders should check with venue as owners/managers who may have venue specific restrictions
Social distancing (1.5m) and good hygiene MUST be maintained
These allowances are for outdoor areas only – no gatherings for recreational activities indoors are permitted
Groups can be no larger than 20 (plus the coaches and helpers required to run the activity). More than one group of 20 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.
1 parent/helper per rider only.
Toilets can be used. Hygiene must be maintained, and soap or sanitizer provided.
Club rooms, canteens and other spaces must remain closed.
The COVIDsafe app should be downloaded and active.
Name, mobile phone and time at the venue must be recorded for every person present.
Persons displaying any sign of sickness must not attend.

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.

EFFECTIVE FROM MONDAY 22 JUNE 2020

SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

In addition to the existing conditions outlined above for outdoor activity, from Monday 22 June up to 20 people can gather and train indoors per separate enclosed space. This includes indoor equestrian centres and club rooms:

10 people maximum per group/activity
4 square metres per person and 1.5 metres apart at all times.
Canteens, and other amenities remain closed
Toilets can be opened provided hygiene is maintained

This means in any one indoor space there can only be 20 people maximum, and only in groups of a maximum of 10. This includes trainers, parents and helpers.

We thank you for your continued support during this challenging period and encourage members to contact your respective state office if we can be of any assistance with advice or support.

GRADUAL EASING OF RESTRICTIONS:
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...

Matthew Brown
Chief Executive Officer – Equestrian Victoria

Rick Gill
Executive Officer – Pony Club Victoria

Sally Mizzi
Administrative Officer – Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria