Roping
The USTRC is closely monitoring the situation of reported cases of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) that were reportedly first clinically diagnosed in horses that attended the NCHA Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah conducted April 29 – May 8, 2011. The virus can be contagious among horses, but is NOT transmittable to humans. While the USTRC does not want to unnecessarily alarm horse owners, we do want to be a clearinghouse of factual information so you can make informed decisions on this matter regarding your personal horses and production of USTRC-approved events. Credible (but not official) reports indicate cases of EHV-1 in several Western states (Colorado, Utah, California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Western Canada). While reported cases of the virus are currently in Western states, the interstate transport of infected horses could cause a much wider spread of the virus if we are not all very cautious at this time. Experts have advised that any major equine event in Western states scheduled for the weekend of May 20-22, 2011 be canceled. That said, because there are no USTRC sanctioned events scheduled in Western states May 20-22, USTRC has NO cancellation announcements at this time. While the USTRC is at present not mandating cancellation of all events nationwide scheduled for the weekend of May 20-22, we do strongly urge all event producers to consider the possible horse health risks of conducting an event this weekend. The USTRC knows that many qualified veterinarians are working on this EHV-1 issue, and we hope that during the week of May 23rd we have additional factual information and clinical diagnosis on the geographic extent (and any possible new case reports) of the virus that will allow us to make the best informed decisions for events scheduled in the coming weeks, including Churchill Classic in Fernley, NV scheduled May 28-29, Red Rock Classic in Gallup, NM scheduled June 3-5 and Western Colorado Championships in Grand Junction, CO scheduled June 10-12, 2011.
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