The 2020 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (April 23-26) has been cancelled.
After releasing an update of sorts earlier today…
We will release an official statement on the status of LRK3DE 2020 and the Kentucky Invitational Grand Prix in the next few days. Admittedly, as a small nonprofit organization, we may not be as nimble or as fast as for-profit companies in situations like this. Please be patient with us while we work through the details of this unprecedented situation. Thank you! You truly are the BEST fans all year.
… the event conceded, which makes sense being a major sporting event that attract tens of thousands of spectators, in light of the CDC’s recommendation that gatherings with over 50 people be canceled for 60 days.
Equestrian Events Inc. (EEI) has announced cancellation of this year’s Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ and Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. The events had been scheduled for April 23-26 at the Kentucky Horse Park.
“This marks the first cancellation in the event’s 42-year history, but the worldwide health crisis and concerns about the spread of COVID-19 make this the only decision possible,” said Lee Carter, EEI executive director. “This is incredibly disappointing to everyone on so many levels, but the health and well-being of everyone—spectators, volunteers, athletes, staff and officials—is our number one priority and given the current situation, there really is no choice.”
“Sporting events and large public gatherings are being called off all across the country and it is with deep regret, and with the highest concern for all our patrons, that we take this step,” said Mike Cooper, EEI president. “With the recommendation by the CDC to cancel or postpone events with guests for the next eight weeks, it became apparent that this was the only acceptable course of action.”
Refund options for ticket holders will be announced soon.
Kentucky’s State Health Operations Center is operating at Level 1, its highest activation level. COVID-19 was first detected in a Kentucky resident on March 6; at the time of this publication, there have been 21 reported cases and the state reported its first death, who had other medical conditions, today in Bourbon County, a 66-year-old man.
Governor Andy Beshear (brother in-law of eventer five-star eventer Emily Beshear) has been lauded for his calm but urgent approach, empowering the state’s public health officials to speak frankly about the outbreak and taking appropriately aggressive steps to mitigate it including closing restaurants and bars to in-person service, closing schools and closing the State Capitol closing to nonessential personnel. View the full list of mitigation efforts here.
Other upcoming equestrian sporting events in Kentucky include Keeneland’s Spring Meet (April 2-24), which was cancelled today, and the Kentucky Derby, which will be making an announcement this week.
You can view a rolling list of canceled or postponed events here.
Stay well, EN. Go Eventing.
