May 2020 Update

A note on our protocols for the Oregon High Desert Classic:
To Our Valued Trainers, Exhibitors and Attendees:

The Oregon High Desert Classics is first a horse show competition for YOU!

In years past we have promoted this as an “event” to garner community support and provide further awareness of the programs J Bar J Youth Services provides for the youth in our region and state.

Governor Brown’s strategy to re-open business in Oregon has required us to modify our event this year. Due to COVID-19 regulations we have had to eliminate some of the aspects we are so well known for, such as spectators and the seated dining experiences. This however, does not prevent us from holding the equestrian competition we provide the horse riding industry each year.

We have, along with USEF, USHJA, and the Deschutes County Public Health Department, drafted a COVID-19 plan that we will present to our Deschutes County Commissioners of the procedure and actions we will be taking to proceed with planning and executing this competition in July.

We will provide hand washing stations, hand sanitizer and – if needed- replacement disposable face coverings for our exhibitors. Our staff will be required to have their temperatures taken and recorded each day upon arriving for their shifts, wear face coverings and gloves when being of service or assisting attendees of the show. When it is necessary to be closer than 6 feet to offer service we will provide plexiglass barriers to protect both parties. Frequently touched surfaces will be wiped and disinfected throughout the day. Enclosed areas and buildings will be setup with a separate entrance and exit and limited to a maximum number of individuals. Signage will be posted throughout the property to provide a gentle reminder to abide by the physical distancing recommendations.

We have partnered with Dynamic Video to host a Live Virtual Broadcast of our special, featured, and better attended classes and events. Providing the means for those who like to watch the competitions.

We recommend, and it is required by USEF, that all attendees to our show bring and wear their own face coverings. We also recommend that you bring with you disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and any other items that will make your participation more comfortable. We strongly encourage participants to register for the competition using online means to complete forms and pay fees.

Through all the modifications and requirements our show may look different this year and we want to assure you: We will still be offering our VIP Patron ticket, which will be a take-out breakfast and lunch with a beverage, each day of the competition. We will still have our Prize Room filled with fantastic offerings from the local area. We will still have a Vendor Village with the tack, food, and craft items you love and need. We will still be able to ride our horses and enjoy a horse show competition.
If all of our planning, procedures, and strategies are not enough and we are not able to hold our show, we will do our best to notify you on or before June 12th.
We hope this provides a better picture of what our horse show will look like this year. We want to make it safely through the Re-Open phases, hold our horse show, and get back to our regularly scheduled event next year.

We look forward to hosting you at our competition this summer. If you have any questions please give us a call.

Thank you,

Paul Jewell
OHDC Horse Show Manager
(215) 205-4265 (541) 389-1409

Jenni Garner
Events Coordinator
(541) 389-1409

Facilitating positive change for youth.
Your participation supports our programs helping kids on the path to
self-sufficiency and personal responsibility, creating brighter outcomes.

April 2020:

As this year’s Oregon High Desert Classics approach, maintaining safety during COVID-19 is a great responsibility we are aware of and proactively planning for. The US Equestrian Federation has suspended all events through May 31^st. They are also creating safety protocols, based on CDC recommendations, for events as restrictions are lifted across the country. We are watching as they come out, and our plans for this summer’s event include implementing these rules.

The state of Oregon and Deschutes County are also monitoring the progress of the virus and the heath care system’s ability to respond, and are moving toward lifting restrictions. We are in communication with the County Commission and are working together to find solutions to enable us both hold this event and maintain the safety of all participants and staff.

We are hopeful that the show will go on, and are doing what we can do to make it happen. It will likely be different than shows from the past three decades, but we are looking forward to bringing together all the people and horses that make OHDC such wonderful events each summer. We appreciate your support and enthusiasm.