Horses welcome — but not people, really — to horse show at North Park

Horses are encouraged — people, not so much — to attend the North Allegheny Horsemen’s Association Horse Show at North Park this Sunday.

It’s one of the rare public events that Allegheny County Parks has approved during covid-19 pandemic regulations. The Allegheny County Health Department’s limit of 50 people to assemble outdoors has caused many events to be canceled, but not this year’s horse show, said Andy Baechle, director of county parks.

“We are not encouraging the public to go,” Baechle said. “It could throw their numbers over the 50 threshold.”

Earlier, the North Allegheny Horsemen’s Association, a nonprofit riding club, posted on its Facebook page that its show was canceled because of the Allegheny County limit on gathering of 50 people outdoors.

But the association and the county worked out the details to allow the show to go on.

“When you are on a horse, you’re not close to anyone else,” Baechle said.

Additionally, the association will take other measures to promote social distancing.

“Hooray!!! We got approval from the county and we are allowed to have our horse show this weekend on Sunday!!!” posted the horsemen’s association on its Facebook page Tuesday.

“We just ask for everyone to please maintain the 6 ft. rule and try to stay by your trailers as much as possible, which we know most people do,” the horsemen’s association wrote.

Sunday’s “2020 Open/Fun Show” will feature a slew of competitions in categories including grooming, showmanship, driving and obstacle course.

For more information on the North Allegheny Horsemen’s Association, visit the club online at naha-pa.org.