THE Scone Horse Festival committee has made the agonising decision to cancel its upcoming event in May in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.
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The executive committee held a meeting on Monday and decided the risk was simply too high following the government's ban of 'non-essential' gatherings of 500 or more people.
Scone Horse Festival president David Gatwood said the health and wellbeing of the local community was paramount.
"At the end of the day, we're a not-for-profit organisation run by a volunteer committee that puts on a ten-day event for the community," Mr Gatwood told ACM.
"We will all get over this in time but my greatest concern is for all of those businesses that will absolutely suffer the sting in the tail from not only events like ours but all the others that are cancelling.
"It is going to be devastating for a lot of them."
The planned music event, Horse Parade, Scone Cup Carnival and Picnic at Lake Glenbawn all attract crowds in the thousands annually and would therefore breach the federal government's ban.
"It's incredibly sad to have to convey this message but it's the only one that we can do in the current climate," Mr Gatwood said.
There is still a possibility events such as the tent-pegging national championships would go ahead without spectators.
However, Mr Gatwood admitted the likelihood of that is slim.
"The Scone Horse Festival as we know it will not be running this year and we will be putting our focus towards 2021 which when we will celebrate our 40th anniversary instead," he said.
"I think it's going to be really difficult to justify running any type of event, irrespective of any number of competitors, support crew or spectators.
"There will still be racing events with no crowds because at the end of the day it's a business and for the most part their major source of revenue is the percentage they receive from wagering so it's critical for them to operate albeit in a reduced capacity."
He also acknowledged the inopportune timing with the recent opening of the New England Highway Bypass of Scone and said he felt for local business.
"At the end of the day it's really unfortunate that this has happened at a time we were looking forward to celebrating a fantastic milestone," Mr Gatwood added.
"It's extremely important the community stays positive at this time as we will get through this."
The Scone Charity Rodeo is also expected to be cancelled and the 2020 Darley Scone Cup Carnival will go ahead, but will have a restriction on public attendance.
"This decision has been made in the best interests of the community and stakeholders with the substantial influx of supplies and infrastructure required many from outside the region set to commence increasing the health risks and financial exposure," the Scone Race Club said in a statement on Tuesday.
"The Scone Race Club will continue liaising with Racing NSW on these race meetings proceeding in Scone and provide updates on any changes to public attendance and or the events status as they arise."
Pre-purchased event tickets to the carnival will be refunded.