Marcella Pinell & Amplified on course at Pine Hill. Photo by Kate Boggan.
We are saddened to share the latest victim of COVID-19’s impact on U.S. eventing: Pine Hill Spring Horse Trials, scheduled to take place on April 4 in Bellville, Texas. Today the event released the following statement:
“In the 25 years of my involvement with the Pine Hill Horse Trials we have never had to completely cancel or postpone a USEA sanctioned event. This is even with 9/11, Hurricane Ike, Phil’s Passing in 2011, droughts and wildfires, Hurricane Harvey, tornadic thunderstorms, and flooding. So cancelling our April 4 USEA Spring Horse Trial due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus is a new and somber milestone for us.
“We have new jumps, new courses, and new footing in our jumper arena and we were so excited to share these improvements and changes with our Area V competitors. Up until today we thought we might be able to hold the show but the rapid spread and efforts to contain and ‘flatten the curve’ of the virus have finally reached a level that directs us to put the safety and well-being of our competitors, officials, and volunteers (as well as their families) first and foremost by limiting exposure.
“All competitors that have entered the show need to be reassured that we will not be keeping any of your entry fees. We understand we are all in for some hard times with a wounded economy and we want to make sure we support you so that you continue to support us when we get back to normalcy whenever that may be. For those who sent personal checks – I have not deposited any of them and will destroy them. For those who paid by credit card on X-entry – I will need 2-3 weeks to process that money through the Pine Hill account and send out refunds. For those who used an Entry Certificate won at one of the Area Eventing Association banquets – we will extend the one year limit to include April 2021.
“We will explore options for a makeup date and if it is feasible we will get the word out.
“Thank you so much for your understanding and continued support of Pine Hill. Be Safe and Stay Healthy!”
View a full list of canceled or postponed USEA events, which number 22 as of the time of this publication, here. Go Eventing.
