SA Outdoor Grand Prix Cancelled due to COVID-19

The Kyalami Park Club Christmas Show incorporating the SA Outdoor Grand Prix kicked off on Wednesday morning with great gusto as the riders prepared to compete for the major titles across the various age categories: Adults, Juniors, Childrens, and Pony Riders, but the event has been brought to an abrupt end due to positive COVID-19 cases. 

Despite screening and temperature checks at the entrance to the premises and strict COVID compliance enforcement, several riders attended the event despite seemingly knowingly having symptoms and having undergone a test. Several of the younger riders had recently attended the super-spreader event, Matric Rage, where it is suspected that the virus was contracted.

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After the first positive case was confirmed at the SA Outdoor Grand Prix, KPC’s COVID officers immediately began the process of contact tracing and removed the individual and those who had immediate contact with them from the premises. Furthermore, those who had been in immediate contact were not allowed back onto the premises until such time as they could provide a negative COVID test. Despite these measures, within 24 hours a 2nd case was confirmed, arising from a separate social event, prompting the organisers to take drastic action. 

Kyalami Park Club had, earlier in the day, released a statement from chairperson, Anne-Marie Esslinger, regarding the initial positive case, bringing to light the situation and the measures that had been taken. The 2nd case, however, pushed matters out of their hands. 

Kyalami Equestrian Park is scheduled to host the 2020 Youth Champs next week (16th to the 20th of December), however, due to several of the suspected cases being among competitors in the junior categories, this show may now be at risk as well. The organizers are still evaluating all possible avenues and will make an official decision regarding Youth Champs in the coming days. UPDATE: Youth Champs will be proceeding. Full details HERE.

We commend the organisers on a tough decision, but one that is made with the best interests of the riders, officials, staff, trainers, grooms, and the sport in mind. Considering the severity of the virus, and the fact that showjumping recently lost one of its own to the pandemic, swift and decisive action was needed. Our thoughts are with those who have tested positive, and we wish them a speedy recovery.

-The JumpOff-

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