Ep 18: The Rated Show We Never Finished at HITS Culpeper

Apr 28, 2026 | Horse Shows

Angie and Chloe Trueblood with their pony at HITS Culpeper before an EHM exposure ended their rated horse show early

We arrived at HITS Culpeper on Wednesday expecting a normal rated horse show, not to leave under a mandated EHM quarantine. Chloe was there to complete qualifying classes for Pony Jumper Finals, our horses were settled into their stalls, and everything seemed to be going exactly as planned.

By Friday afternoon, a horse just a few stalls away had tested positive for equine herpesvirus, or EHV-1, and later developed the neurologic form of the disease, equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, or EHM.

Suddenly, the horse show was over for us.

Instead of preparing for Saturday’s classes, we were scrambling to find a quarantine facility, calling our veterinarian, buying thermometers and disinfecting supplies, and trying to understand what this diagnosis could mean for our horses.

In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what happened at HITS Culpeper, how our barn responded, what an EHM quarantine looked like from a horse mom’s perspective, and what I believe could be done differently when a contagious disease is identified at a horse show.

What Happened at HITS Culpeper

Chloe went to HITS Culpeper with one major goal: completing qualifying classes for Pony Jumper Finals.

The show started beautifully. She had strong rounds on Thursday and Friday, Phoebe was happy and relaxed, and our small group of riders, moms, and our trainer felt like our own little horse-show family.

Then, late Friday afternoon, we learned that a horse in our section of the barn had tested positive for EHV-1.

The horse had reportedly shown neurologic symptoms earlier that day and was ultimately euthanized after developing EHM. The state veterinarian placed the horses on our side of the barn under quarantine, immediately ending our competition.

In a matter of hours, our focus shifted from qualifying points and weekend classes to one question: How do we protect our horses?

My friend Ashley Winch joined me for this conversation and helped me walk through the experience while it was still incredibly fresh.

From a Rated Horse Show to a mandated EHM Quarantine

Our home barn didn’t have a separate facility where the exposed horses could safely quarantine. That meant our trainer, barn families, veterinarian, and farm owner had to create a solution almost overnight.

An unused feed barn on the larger farm property was transformed into what we eventually started calling the “Pony Palace.”

Fencing was moved, large temporary stalls were created, supplies were purchased, medication was ordered, and a schedule was developed for temperature checks, feeding, cleaning, and monitoring the horses.

While our veterinarian helped guide the medical decisions, we were also searching online for practical information about disinfecting equipment, managing exposed horses, maintaining separation, and safely transporting them away from the showgrounds.

It was an enormous amount of information to process during an already frightening situation.

The Communication Gaps I Couldn’t Stop Thinking About

This experience left me with a lot of questions about how contagious-disease emergencies are communicated at horse shows.

The horse reportedly began showing serious symptoms Friday morning, but many exhibitors in the barn did not learn about the potential EHV-1 exposure until late that afternoon.

Once we were notified, trainers and owners had to quickly absorb medical information while simultaneously making decisions about transportation, quarantine facilities, medications, disinfecting, staffing, and their competition plans.

I kept wondering why there wasn’t a clear, easily accessible emergency protocol outlining what exhibitors should do next.

Could there be a text or digital alert system for everyone stabled at the competition?

Could exhibitors receive a checklist explaining immediate biosecurity steps?

Could shows provide clearer guidance about disinfecting stalls, trailers, equipment, clothing, and supplies?

Accurate, timely communication would not eliminate the fear surrounding an EHV-1 exposure, but it could make the next steps far less confusing.

When Horse Welfare Has to Come Before the Show

Chloe had already completed three qualifying rounds before we withdrew from the rest of the competition. She even ended up champion in her division despite missing her remaining classes.

But once we learned our horses had been exposed, the qualifying points no longer mattered.

The girls were understandably disappointed, but their first concern was for their horses. They attended the informational meeting, asked questions, helped care for the ponies, and accepted that their remaining classes were no longer important.

This experience reinforced something I hope young riders carry with them throughout their lives: sometimes, the show must not go on.

There will be other classes, other competitions, and other chances to qualify. Protecting the horse has to come first.

Key Takeaways

  • Horse shows can shift from routine competition to emergency response far more quickly than most new horse families realize.
  • Having an EHM quarantine plan before you ever need one can make an incredibly stressful situation much more manageable.
  • Clear, timely communication is just as important as veterinary care during an infectious disease outbreak.
  • The right trainer, veterinarian, and barn community can make all the difference when the unexpected happens.
  • Preparing for biosecurity emergencies should be part of horse show planning, not something families learn in the middle of a crisis.
  • Sometimes protecting your horse means walking away from qualifying points, championships, and carefully made plans.
  • Even difficult experiences can teach young riders resilience, perspective, and the importance of always putting the horse first.

Resources mentioned

Connect with Ashley Winch

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The information shared in this episode reflects my family’s personal experience and should not replace guidance from your veterinarian or state animal-health officials. Here are some great resources:

thanks to our sponsor:

Broke Horse Moms

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