Through the Lens: The Return to Competition

Jun 10, 2020

Through the Lens: The Return to Competition

By Jessica Duffy - USEA Staff

Out of the box and away we go! USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

After nearly three long months of waiting, eventers were finally able to return to competition this past weekend with three events taking place at River Glen in New Market, Tennessee; Feather Creek in Norman, Oklahoma; and Plantation Field in Unionville, Pennsylvania. The USEA attended the Plantation Field Horse Trials on Friday to observe the return to competition amid new restrictions put in place by the USEF to protect all in attendance from COVID-19. Read more about what eventing's "new normal" looks like in practice and check out more photos from this past weekend.

Medical staff were on site to perform contactless temperature checks at the single entrance to the show ground. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Packet pickup was self-service and available following temperature checks. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

CDC guidelines, course maps, and orders of go were posted throughout the show grounds that riders could take photos of with their phone in lieu of paper copies. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Feeling good to be out and about once again. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Warm-up areas were kept quiet so people could maintain social distance. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Plenty of smiling faces to be seen, even in the dressage arena! USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Contactless bit check was one of the many new protocols in place due to COVID-19. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

It was clear that riders have been using the downtime to practice their skills in preparation for the return to competition. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Face masks and social distance gave the event a different look and feel. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes were available throughout the show ground. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

As part of the event's one-day format, riders completed their show jumping rounds and went immediately to cross-country. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

As always, volunteers are the reason this is all possible! USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

New frangible tables were on display at Plantation Field this weekend. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Horses and riders alike were happy to be out competing again! USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

There's nothing quite like that finish line feeling! USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

A good post cross-country roll is just the icing on the cake! USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

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