The First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo will proceed despite EHV-1 concerns, with stringent health checks and quarantine rules for horses.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo will proceed as scheduled at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex despite ongoing concerns over an EHV‑1 outbreak, circuit officials said Thursday.
In a Facebook notice to contestants, contractors and stock providers, the First Frontier Circuit Board of Directors said it has been in continuous contact with the Farm Show Complex, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and veterinarians over the past month, and that the situation has not stabilized, creating a need for new requirements for all horses entering the facility.
The new rules require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection dated within 10 days of arrival. The certificate must confirm the horse has not originated from or been exposed to a location with suspected or confirmed EHV‑1 within 21 days, and that a veterinarian found the animal free of vesicular stomatitis virus. Contestants must also attest that their horse has not left their property in the previous 21 days and has not been exposed to EHV‑1.
All horses must remain at their home location for 21 days before traveling to the event. No travel to other equine events, practices or exhibitions is permitted during that period. The requirement applies to competition, backup and alternate horses in order to remain compliant with the Department of Agriculture’s quarantine order.
Temperature checks are required twice daily for 10 days before arrival and must be submitted through the First Frontier Circuit app or email. Horses without full logs and quarantine compliance will not be admitted. On-site checks will continue throughout the event.
The complex will disinfect stalls and facilities, and horses will not be allowed inside until sanitation is complete. Once checked in, horses may not leave and return. Any replacement horse must meet all pre‑event requirements.
Symptomatic horses will not be permitted on the grounds, and any horse showing signs of illness during the event will be moved to a quarantine area and barred from further competition.
Officials said the measures are necessary to avoid cancellation.
“Failure to comply may result in denial of entry to the complex,” the statement said, adding that state agriculture officials may change requirements at any time.
Standard Coggins and vaccination requirements remain in place.
“We look forward to a safe and successful First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo,” Circuit President Brock Hower said.