Covid-19 at Tryon Equestrian Centre, Venue of the 2018 World Equestrian Games

Dressage

USA

Three COVID-19 cases have been reported at the Tryon Equestrian Centre, the venue that hosted the World Equestrian Games in 2018.

Sharon Allred Decker, President of Tryon Equestrian Partners, and JP Godard, the show manager, released the following statement about Covid-19 on their show grounds:

We are writing to inform you that we have received our first COVID-19 cases reported at Tryon Resort. On Monday morning, we were notified that a sub-contractor who had been working in close proximity to our Tryon Resort construction team had tested positive. The contractor crew had not been on property since early last week and they did not return to property. As a precaution, we had all Tryon construction employees tested immediately. Only one test came back positive. On the day of testing (Monday, June 15) all Tryon construction employees were sent home to quarantine and will remain home until Monday, June 29. Both crews were working away from the primary showgrounds on the far western portion of the property and were not involved in horse show operations.

Two additional cases were reported and have been identified as braiders who were on property during Tryon Summer 1. They have not returned to property this week, Tryon Summer 2. The positive individuals are currently quarantined off TIEC property and will not be allowed to return to showgrounds for two weeks.

Once we learned of these two cases, although equine service providers are required to follow the same COVID-19 protocols, we took immediate action to communicate to competitors and trainers that judges will not penalize for unbraided horses for the remainder of the Tryon Summer Series. All staff, trainers, competitors, and equine service providers will be given additional instructions in English and Spanish, based on recommendations by the CDC and local health department, on COVID-19 policies and safety procedures.

The Polk County, NC Health Department has interviewed the positive individuals and Health Department personnel will make direct contact with any individuals these persons had contact with over the last several days. Contacted individuals will be required to isolate immediately and be tested for COVID-19. Until test results are received, these individuals will need to remain isolated. The Health Department will make easy access to testing and will provide all the necessary information to make that happen.

These occurrences of COVID-19 underscore the imperative requirement to wear masks, social distance and wash hands frequently. As we stated in our communication earlier this week, the virus is still very active in all parts of the country. We must remain aware, cautious and diligent in our collective efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.

Each of the persons identified, who had been on property, were asymptomatic, with no elevated temperature or other symptoms. Masks are imperative, social distancing is essential, and frequent hand washing is critical. It is likely safe to say that this is the new normal for many months to come. We can’t get comfortable and lax in our efforts here, in our travels or at home.

Any questions that you have, please ask. You may contact Sharon directly at 828-429-6181 or via email at sdecker@tryon.com. We remain committed to transparency and full communication regarding this and all issues at Tryon. We are in this together. Thanks for your cooperation and support.