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.

Right now we have no intention of canceling the APHA Youth World Show or the APHA Open/Amateur World Show. If circumstances change, we will communicate it widely. Regarding APHA-approved shows, each show manager needs to make his or her own decisions about continuing their horse shows. Horse show managers should remind exhibitors to take precautionary personal hygiene measures to reduce the spread of the virus.

Show management was prepared to go ahead with the show; however, because it was to be held at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum facility of Middle Tennessee State University, the campus has now been closed to outside events.

Scheduled events for Wednesday, March 11, will continue, but all HLSR programs will be cancelled for the remainder of the event. This means that while Paint barrel racers will complete their runs that are taking place on March 11, other portions of the APHA-approved Paint Horse show taking place at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will be cancelled.