Dear RMRHA Supporters,

It is with disappointment, concern, and disbelief that I am writing this email to all of you. So far 2020 has presented countless things that I never thought I would see in my lifetime starting with the cancellation of the NBA and then March Madness; earlier this week, it was the Calgary Stampede. The Corona Virus Pandemic has no doubt impacted every one of us in one way or another. Now I must tell you all that State Fair Park in Pueblo has been closed until at least June 1 and as a result, The Columbine Classic has been cancelled.

We have been watching this situation closely and I have been in contact with show organizers and county health departments trying to anticipate what was going to happen and evaluating the possibility of having the show while keeping everyone in attendance safe. We had ideas about what social distancing at a horse show might look like and what it would be like to show to a judge and scribe who were wearing masks sitting next to each other. I was planning to warn everyone to practice that when we announced that the show was going to happen so that the first time your horse saw a masked man on the rail wasn’t in the center of the pen! But it wasn’t meant to be. We have quickly explored alternatives from Lincoln to Grand Junction and there simply are no options that are reasonable.

We have made the decision to move the Columbine Derby to Summer Slide. We are planning to have the show bill for Summer Slide out soon but we are most likely adding one day to the front of the show to account for the addition of the Derby. Tentative dates are now July 18-26 instead of July 19-26. Watch for the show bill for the final schedule. Additionally, in appreciation of your membership, the Board is providing a $50 discount on one stall at Summer Slide 2020 for each member purchasing a stall.

I hope you are all doing as well as can be expected during this challenging time. I know for some of you, a horse show might be the least of your concerns right now; and for many it’s very much at the front of your mind as this is your livelihood. Believe me, I understand, and this decision was difficult. I sincerely hope everyone is healthy and is able to stay that way. Please stay tuned for additional information and we will be in touch as soon as we have additional information.

Thank you to everyone for your patience and understanding as we work through these unprecedented times. I will leave this message with a bit of humor I saw on Facebook, “Well 2020, perhaps we should have lunged you first!”

Sincerely,
Travis Chapman