Despite the fact the FEI has send veterinarians to the showgrounds in Valencia, de situation doesn't seem to get under control after the Equine Herpes Virus outbreak. "We don't understand why there was no earlier reaction and action," state different horse owners on the spot. "We blame the organization. They were aware of some horses being infected with the virus, still decided to continue the competition. This is the result."
"There's complete chaos," states another witness. "It feels like a war zone, a war against the virus. Horses just fall on the ground, exhausted of their own battle against the virus. Some horses already died. At the moment there are five spots in the veterinarian clinic in Valencia. That isn't enough. Luckily some horses have been transferred to other clinics in Madrid or other locations in Spain."
"I was lucky my horse could fill in the spot of another," states another owner. "My condolences to the owner, rider and team of that one horse that died. It is bad enough to see there's not enough resources. Today (Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021) is the first day there's a clear structure and we do get some hope. The idea is now to quarantine the 43 horses that aren't sick and separate them from the other 110 horses that are infected. "
"I do hope other owners, riders, ... never will have to witness their horse battle against the virus..." he concludes. "To contain the virus, the local police has shut down the show ground to prevent owners leaving. As many did last week!"