Weekly Update | May 15, 2020
Dear Friends,
A glimmer of hope! At 7:00 am this morning, workers from the city of Irvine put the nets back on the tennis courts in the community park below our house! Not that things are back to normal (far from it), but it appears that the COVID-19 numbers in Orange County are continuing to remain steady with, once again, favorable numbers reported overnight.
Two days ago, we submitted the facility’s formal COVID-19 plan to the City of San Juan Capistrano and are hopeful to be able to come back to you with good news by this time next week. The document outlines the steps for a safe return of equestrian competitions and activities at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano. The plan complies with the guidelines outlined by the USEF in the May 12, 2020 revised document as well as federal, state, and local mandates for a phased approach for the re-opening of California businesses. Key to the proposal is that outdoor equestrian sport is a non-contact individual athletic activity that is considered “low risk” according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Our aim is to be able to start our “A” rated horse show season on June 24th with the Blenheim Red, White & Blue Classic. Subject to approval of our comprehensive protocol plan by the City, we look forward to announcing next Friday that we finally have a confirmed start date.
…Once again, fingers crossed!
Robert Ridland
President, Blenheim EquiSports
Blenheim EquiSports, an equestrian event management company based in San Juan Capistrano, CA, produces events in three locations: San Juan Capistrano, Del Mar and Las Vegas, NV. The events include 19 USEF “Premier” rated hunter-jumper shows featuring five FEI CSI events, including a Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League event; the Markel Insurance 1.40m – 1.45m Jumper Series & Final, Developing Jumper Qualifiers & Championships, USHJA International & National Hunter Derbies, Pony Derby Finals, the Whitethorne Equitation Challenge, Medal Finals and more. New for 2020 – an additional four County Horse Shows sanctioned by the Orange County Horse Show Association and the Greater San Diego Hunter-Jumper Association.