Gooromon Park is open for business-as-usual. In light of recent global events – unseen in many of our lifetimes – there is plenty of uncertainty about many ordinary activities, including, extra-curricular activities such as horse riding.
Our aim is to be highly transparent to bring you all some sense of assurance, and to hopefully ensure that we can continue to provide this service to all students over the coming months.
We know that weekly lessons at Gooromon Park are a highlight for our clients, and based on current Government and medical advice, we don’t see a reason for lessons to cease at this stage.
Below is some important information to help you remain as informed as possible, including new safety and hygiene measures we have put into place.
Group sizes: The current advice suggests that the highest risk posed by Covid-19 is in large group sizes (i.e. over 100 individuals) and within indoor environments. Both of our arenas are open air (the indoor has a roof only), and our group lesson sizes are limited to eight students with one responsible adult in charge. This makes group lessons low risk according to health authorities and government advice, in terms of contracting Covid-19.
Limiting contact: We are keen to limit the contact between staff and clients as much as possible, and ask that everyone be vigilant in avoiding touching each other’s hands/bodies as much as possible. Our instructors will aim to help clients mount without any actual physical contact, as per usual, and will where safe maintain a minimum of 1.5 metres distance from clients (providing this doesn’t interfere with the safety of people and horses). This may be difficult when mounting and dismounting beginners, as safety will be our first priority in all instances.
Hygiene measures: We are providing a number of handwashing stations at Gooromon Park and are asking all parents, children and riders to adhere to strict handwashing protocol, especially prior to touching tack/boots and helmets. Our staff always follow strict hygiene procedures, and this will continue to occur.
All common areas are being disinfected regularly throughout the day. We would like to limit the use of cash and conduct card payments only, and ideally contactless.
Shared equipment: We always recommend that riders invest in good quality equipment, for their own safety and for hygiene purposes. This includes helmets, gloves, crops and boots. Some of our private lessons we utilise headsets – please bring your own headphones, our headsets have a standard headphone port.
This is especially relevant given the current situation, and taking every precaution to avoid contact with potential sites of infection.
In terms of shared equipment such as neck straps, and tack, GP helmets and boots it’s really important riders ensure their hands have been washed before and after riding, to keep these items as sanitary as possible. Staff will disinfect all items at the end of each day.
If you are unwell: If you, your children, or any member of your family is unwell, we ask you to please avoid coming for your lesson. The usual policy of make-up lessons will be offered in the case of cancellation. Our staff will also be remaining at home if they are unwell, and together we can all try our best to limit the spread of any viral illnesses. Also, if you have recently travelled we ask that you refrain from attending GP.
Many small businesses are suffering already – following the fires, smoke and now with Covid-19, it’s been a really tough start to the year.
We would like to keep our business up and running and to ensure that our beautiful horses can keep bringing joy to you and your children. If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to give us a call for a chat.
