Final day of competition annulled at CSI3* Signal Iduna Cup Dortmund

The World Health Organisation has declared a pandemic; Italy has shuttered schools, offices, bars, restaurants and shops and restricted movement as part of a strict lockdown. America has blocked flights from Europe; France, Germany and Switzerland announced school closures this weekend.

On Friday 13th March, the FEI, the IJRC and the European Federations requested a total stop to all equestrian competitions, across all disciplines, until 30th April 2020, because of Covid-19.

The CSI3*in Dortmund, Germany, decided to continue with its programme of scheduled events -- until today, at 10.30am. All remaining competitions – including the Dressage and Show Jumping Grand Prix -- have now been cancelled at the request of city of Dortmund.

A similar scenario was seen earlier this week when, with Europe in full Covid-19 crisis, horses were preparing for events at the Dutch Masters in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, until it was announced that all events had been annulled.

‘The rapidity of the spread and ease of contagion, but above all the dangerous nature of a virus with no known cure, must induce serious reflection,’ underlines Eleonora Ottaviani, Director of the IJRC.

In Northern Italy, where health care is very well organized, Hospitals are still overcrowded, doctors and health workers are pushed to the limits. There are not enough medical devices to save all the people who come to the emergency room with the consequences that can be imagined and these medical devices are no longer available on the market.

Ottaviani concludes with a stern message: “Life must take priority over business”.

All of us is also responsible for the health of the others, it is time to be aware of this danger and act accordingly, strictly respecting the provisions of the authorities. Stay at home.