News

** CPC Directive on Pony Club Activities and Exposure Risk for COVID-19 - National Directive Update Regarding Suspension of Physical Activities and National Competitions**

May 3, 2020

Hello once more to our Pony Club family and friends. We have reached the end of another month under the new restrictions imposed upon our world by COVID-19. At this point we are beginning to see improvement in the circumstances of some provinces while others still struggle with large numbers of ill citizens. This has led to a challenging mix of guidelines on “return to play” by governments across the country, and a correspondingly challenging requirement to create a fair and safe policy on resumption of programming within our Pony Club regions.

In an effort to address this imbalance in the circumstance of our many regions, the Management Committee of the Canadian Pony Club has determined the following course of action:

First and foremost, CPC continues to require its regions and branches to follow the guidelines imposed by their provincial government and health authorities as it relates to gathering sizes, social distancing and personal precautions. Given that these vary based on the province(s) in which your region is located, we are delegating responsibility for any “return to PC programming” to the Regional Committees. For those regions in a position to consider a resumption of in-person programming, this will mean that the process for resuming activities will begin with the requirement for a Regional Reactivation Plan. This plan will need to be created and submitted by the Regional Committee to the CPC Management Committee, using this address: management_committee@canadianponyclub.org.

The plan must identify the current guidelines within the province in question, and outline how it proposes to commence in-person activities with respect to those constraints. It must deal with specifics relating to numbers of members impacted, plans for distancing and personal protection and activities to be undertaken, as well as progression of programming as constraints change. Once a Regional Reactivation Plan is submitted, the Management Committee commits to a one-week turnaround to consider and either approve, deny or request revision of the plan. Only once the plan is approved can it begin to be implemented. Should any factors change in the region after this approval is given, and tighter restrictions be re-enforced, all in-person Pony Club activities must conform to the new restrictions.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOUR REGION DOES NOT FEEL CONFIDENT THAT REQUIRED MEASURES CAN BE PUT IN PLACE TO SAFELY DO SO, THEN YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFRAIN FROM RESUMPTION OF ACTIVITIES UNTIL SUCH TIME AS PROPER MEASURES CAN BE UNDERTAKEN. CPC demands that the safety of our members and volunteers be the primary factor in this decision making.

As well, in light of the multitude of factors impacting the ability of CPC to properly and safely offer national competitions, the decision has been made to defer all national competitions, excluding Quiz and IMGE tryouts, to 2021. Details will follow from your national discipline chairs regarding the impact of this on qualification procedures etc. This decision, made after lengthy discussion by your national discipline chairs, was not made lightly and included such considerations as provincial border closures, safety and availability of airline travel, willingness and availability of volunteers to participate in hosting, restrictions on size of allowable gatherings, physical access and ability to properly prepare horses and competitors, implications for social distancing and personal protection, and the cost implications to already financially impacted families. A decision will be made and communicated regarding Quiz and IMGE Tryout Camps as the situation evolves.

CPC continues to monitor the continuing impact of the COVID-19 virus within Canada and the potential impact it will have on CPC related activities such as competition and testing. We will continue to update you monthly (or sooner if developments require). We wish to assure you that the Management Committee of the Canadian Pony Club is working hard to explore all options available to continue providing access to programming while ensuring the continued health and safety of our members, volunteers and supporters. Although we are all anxious to return to what will undoubtedly be a “new” normal, it is our greatest desire to assure that when we do, we are all there to enjoy the reunion. We are family and community, and you matter to us.

Be safe, be healthy,

Management Committee, Canadian Pony Club

The health authorities for each province are issuing guidelines based on the current circumstances in their provinces and the availability of information on rate and risk of infection. CPC encourages its members to review these provincial releases as part of their personal education effort surrounding this virus, and to respond appropriately when considering the activities they have planned.

As the situation continues to develop, CPC will update its statements and recommendations to provide the safest possible environment and practices for its members and volunteers. We thank you for your understanding and diligence in taking steps to limit the spread of the virus and protect yourselves and our members, and we rely on your acceptance and compliance with the measures set forth to assure the quickest possible return to regular operations.