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In the middle of the Corona crisis, equestrian sport hits another virus.

A variant of herpes spreads from Spain, which, according to the World Federation FEI, is particularly aggressive and has already killed several horses.

“A nightmare that nobody should experience,” commented the show jumping world champion Simone Blum about the death of four horses from German show stables.

The world association initially responded by canceling all international tournaments in Germany and nine other countries.

Participants in a tournament series in Valencia report dramatic scenes and the sadness after losing their familiar four-legged friends.

"We are fighting shoulder to shoulder for our horses here," said Hilmar Meyer, who runs a trading and training stable in Thedinghausen in Lower Saxony and has so far lost two horses.

The situation on site is "very, very bad".

Worried about his horses: Hilmar Meyer, here at the German Jumping Derby in Hamburg

Source: pa / INSIDE-PICTUR / Selim Sudheimer

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"The virus is very aggressive," said Mike Patrick Leichle, who, like Meyer and a dozen German riders, went to Valencia for the multi-week spring tour at the beginning of February.

The rider and tournament stable operator from Schnarup-Thumby in Schleswig-Holstein has so far lost a horse in Valencia and is now hoping for the survival of the eleven remaining animals.

Criticism of the local authorities

Leichle feels more or less abandoned by the local authorities, veterinarians and the world association.

The information from Valencia, where several horses had already shown strong symptoms on Sunday a week ago, "was passed on much too late," complained the rider.

According to Meyer and Leichle, ten horses have died in Valencia so far.

According to the German Equestrian Association (FN), which also canceled the national tournaments, four German horses have so far fallen victim to the virus disease.

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The world association is currently assuming three other European countries in which there are cases.

Valencia participants also brought the virus to Germany, according to the FN.

According to the association, herpes virus infections are "not subject to notification or reporting" in this country.

According to the FN, the viruses also "do not cause diseases that can be transmitted to humans".

The FEI believes that “a large number of horses have left the Valencia venue without an official health certificate”.

A statement went on to say, "Some horses have already been sick and the risk of transmission from these horses is a major concern."

The virus outbreak "naturally scares us too," reported Blum.

The world champion started her preparations for the Olympic season a few weeks ago at a series of tournaments in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain.

"We feel safe here in Vejer," wrote Blum on Instagram.

Preparing for the Olympics in Spain: German world champion Simone Blum

Source: pa / dpa / Rolf Vennenbernd

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To stop the spread, the FEI has banned tournaments in ten countries.

This regulation is initially valid until March 28th.

Series that are already running, such as in Jerez, may continue to be played because they are considered a "bubble" as long as there is no proven case.

"Horses are only allowed to leave these places if they are in possession of an official health certificate from the local veterinary authorities," says the world association.

According to its own information, the FN has contacted all German participants in the past few days and explained which protective measures must be observed on the journey home and after return.

All horses that have participated in tournaments in Valencia since February 1st are initially banned from participating in further tournaments.

"Only when these horses have been tested for the EHV-1 and the test result is negative, these horses are allowed to participate in tournaments again", it said in a message.

Many horse owners fear for the health of their horses

Source: AFP via Getty Images / VALERY HACHE

The "outbreak is probably the worst in Europe in many decades," said FEI General Secretary Sabrina Ibáñez.

The tournament cancellation was "not an easy decision", especially "after the major disruption caused by the Covid 19 pandemic".