UPDATE - VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS 12 FEBRUARY 2021

Today, Friday 12 February, the Victorian Premier, Mr Daniel Andrews has announced a five-day lockdown in response to the growing outbreak of the highly infectious UK strain of coronavirus, with the aim of stopping the spread throughout the community.

From 11:59pm tonight, Friday February 12, all of Victoria will return to stage four lockdown restrictions, meaning there are only four main reasons to leave the home:

1. shopping for essential supplies,
2. care and caregiving,
3. exercise and
4. essential work.

Exercise and shopping will be limited to within 5 kilometres of the home.

Face masks will need to be worn indoors and outdoors and no visitors will be allowed in homes.

Under the rules, all community sport and recreation must close, therefore as of 11:59PM tonight, all Equestrian Victoria events must cease. This includes Barastoc Horse of the Year, currently underway at Werribee Park as well as Friends of Ballarat Horse Trials and other events due to be conducted over the weekend. Please refer to your event or discipline's Facebook page or website for ongoing information.

The five-day lockdown is due to end at 11:59pm on Wednesday.

We thank all of our equestrian community for the amazing way in which you have responded over the last 12 months or so to the ever-changing environment, and hope that this lockdown has the desired effect, and we can return once more to the competition.

Further announcements will be made regarding the rescheduling of events that were to take place over this period, including the rescheduling of BARASTOC HORSE OF THE YEAR, currently taking place at Werribee Park.

These decisions will be made following Government advice and action, once the lockdown period has ended.

We ask that you, your family and loved ones all stay safe during this period.