Equestrian sport suffers from a herpes virus that spreads from Valencia.
Ten horses have died so far, and German riders also mourn their animals.
Munich - The corona crisis hits sport in many areas, equestrian sport is now hit by another virus.
A variant of herpes is spreading from Spain and, according to the world association FEI, is said to have already killed several horses.
The planned tournaments have now been canceled for the time being.
Herpes virus in equestrian sport: German riders mourn competition horses - "Virus is very aggressive"
At a tournament series in Valencia, dramatic scenes took place, many participants mourn the loss of their familiar four-legged friends.
The German equestrian Hilmar Mayer, who runs a trading and training stable in Lower Saxony, has also lost two horses.
He describes the situation on the Spanish southeast coast as "very, very bad", but the participants fight "shoulder to shoulder" for the horses.
Mike Patrick Leichle, who, like Meyer, took part in the spring tour of several weeks in Valencia along with around a dozen German riders at the beginning of February, has so far lost one horse.
The rider and tournament stable operator from Schleswig-Holstein is now hoping for the survival of his eleven remaining animals.
“The virus is very aggressive,” the 51-year-old reported to the dpa.
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Herpes virus in equestrian sport: World Federation cancels tournaments until the end of March - ten horses died in Valencia
Leichle also feels let down on many sides, as the information from Valencia was passed on "much too late".
According to Leichle and Mayer, ten horses have already died in Valencia.
It is unclear to what extent the virus has spread.
Cases have occurred in three other European countries, as the world association announced.
Apparently the FEI assumes "that a large number of horses have left the venue in Valencia without an official health certificate".
As the message went on to say, "some horses were already sick," and measures have now been taken to stop the spread.
By March 28, tournaments were banned in ten countries, but running series like the one in Jerez can continue as long as no cases of the virus are detected.
Herpes virus in equestrian sport: FEI General Secretary speaks of "worst outbreak in Europe for decades"
"Horses are only allowed to leave these places if they are in possession of an official health certificate from the local veterinary authorities," the world association made clear.
As the FEI General Secretary Sabrina Ibáñez said, it was "probably the worst outbreak in Europe in many decades".
The herpes viruses "do not cause any diseases that can be transmitted to humans", the national association FN announced, the infections are also "not notifiable or notifiable" in Germany.
(ajr)
