“With the Coronavirus spreading rapidly across the United States and our health care system nearing a tipping point, we had no choice but to cancel these shows,” said ApHC President Ken Johnson. “Nearly 40 percent of the nation’s population is now impacted by stay-at-home orders and that number is likely to rise in the weeks ahead. We have an obligation to safeguard our members and exhibitors, to the extent possible. While a very difficult decision for the entire Board, it was the socially responsible and necessary thing to do.”

Congress futurity books have been mailed, and we want to remind everyone that the first payments for these events are due April 1, 2020. Although we have processed many nominations already, please rest assured that all payments will be refunded in full in the unlikely event that the 2020 Congress would be cancelled.

The American Quarter Horse Association has made the decision to cancel the three Nutrena AQHA Level 1 Championships, which were scheduled for April and May, and will not reschedule the shows.

It is with great sadness and disappointment that we announce that Equine Affaire scheduled to take place April 2-5 at the Ohio Expo Center has been cancelled. This cancellation is based upon the evolving COVID-19 virus threat that is sweeping not only our state and nation, but also the globe. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health have issued an executive order prohibiting mass gatherings and events from taking place within the State of Ohio until further notice as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19.

Due to the uncertainty of the current COVID-19 pandemic witnessed around the globe, the AQHA Executive Committee has opted not to reschedule the 2020 AQHA Convention, but to instead cancel the event until the 2021 AQHA Convention, which is scheduled for February 25 to March 1 in San Antonio.

“AQHA is working closely with facility management, and our top priority remains the safety of our exhibitors, their American Quarter Horses and AQHA staff, in addition to the local community,” said Justin Billings, chief show officer. “The World Equestrian Center management expects the facility to reopen well before our event, which means the suspension would not affect the Nutrena East AQHA Level 1 Championships. In the event of the show not moving forward, AQHA would notify exhibitors as soon as that decision was made and refund exhibitor show fees.”

The NCAA’s decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, the ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities.