The 2020 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity has been postponed due to the coronavirus.
The NRHA announced Monday that the show, scheduled for March 22-28, was put on hold in an attempt to help stop the spread of the virus, which also is known as COVID-19, in Northern Italy where the show was to be held. According to the NRHA, several surrounding towns have been shut down, and a case of the coronavirus, was diagnosed in the city of Cremona, where the show venue is located.
“The show management team, as well as NRHA, wish to err on the side of caution for the safety of members and their horses,” the NRHA said.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were 124 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Italy and two deaths linked to the sickness in that country as of Monday, Feb. 24. They are among 79,331 reported cases – the vast majority in China – of the virus confirmed throughout the world. Two hundred and fifty people have died worldwide.
Click here to read the Feb. 24 coronavirus situation report from the World Health Organization.
Symptoms of the coronavirus COVID-19 include fever, tiredness and dry cough. The WHO says that some people infected with the virus have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.
Eighty percent of people with the disease recover without special treatment, but one out of six becomes seriously ill to the point they have trouble breathing. According to the WHO, those most likely to develop serious illness are older people and those who have underlying medical conditions.
Currently, no new show date for the NRHA European Futurity has been announced. Officials say the NRHA European Executive Board will review potential dates to reschedule the show, and announce the new dates at a later time. The Italian Reining Horse Association will refund any fees that have been paid for the European Futurity.
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