The recent spike in the number of active Covid-19 cases on the island has led to the shut down of all equestrian disciplines.

The Bermuda Equestrian Federation received a directive from the Bermuda Government on Thursday to suspend all activities falling under their auspices until further notice, in spite of the rigid Covid-19 protocols already in place for the protection of competitors and spectators alike at the National Equestrian Centre.

“Please also be advised that on December 10, 2020, the Bermuda Equestrian Federation received notification from the Bermuda Government suspending the BEF's return to sport permission for any horse events until further notice,” Elka Gibbs, the BEF’s director of communications,” stated in an advisory sent out to the association’s members which The Royal Gazette has obtained a copy of.

“This suspension is due to the increased number of Covid-19 cases on island. As a consequence, all events scheduled to be held during the month of December have been cancelled. In addition the BHC’s January hunt is also cancelled.

“The BEF’s Return to Sport Committee is monitoring the situation closely and will notify the BEF membership with any updates.”

Bermuda recorded a further 27 positive cases of coronavirus yesterday.

Of the new cases, 13 were caused by local transmission and 14 are under investigation. That brought the number of active cases to 149. Two people remain in hospital.

In response to the shutdown of all equestrian events, Colin Mello, the Driving Horse and Pony Club president, said: “It’s extremely unfortunate that we are at this point of needing to postpone the season, but it’s for the good of all of the members, spectators and participants.

“We hope that enough members will work on keeping their ponies fit so that once we are able to return to racing we will be able to finish our race season.”

Meanwhile, the dramatic increase in the number of active Covid-19 cases has also affected other sports.

All organised football has been suspended at least until December 22 along with the Bermuda Bicycle Association Mountain Bike Series until further notice.

“With the new limitation of a maximum of 20 persons permitted at an event, the organisers of the One Communications MTB Series have cancelled the event scheduled for Sunday, December 13 at Dockyard,” the BBA announced in its weekly newsletter.

“A new date has yet to be set but will be communicated once the picture is clearer about the spread in the community and a change in the maximum capacity for events.”