The organising committee of the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour in Oliva Nova, Spain, has today announced that the last remaining horses at the venue returned the mandatory negative EHV-1 tests on Wednesday 15th of March and received a green light to leave for their home stables. Since the EHV-1 outbreak that occurred at the venue at the end of February, during the second part of Spring MET, horses have gradually left in accordance with FEI requirements and now the last ten horses have been allowed to depart the facilities at Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova.

“We are very happy that the last ten horses are able to leave the venue, following the confirmed cases of EHV-1 that occurred during Spring MET II 2023,” Event Director Bettina Pöhls said in a press release. “We would like to thank everyone involved for their efforts: The FEI, the Valencia Veterinary Department, the Veterinarian Department OCA La Safor, the Spanish Equestrian Federation, the University Equine Hospital in Valencia, the VISAVET laboratory, the veterinarians being in Oliva, the various national federations, and of course all the grooms and the riders. They all contributed towards making it possible to keep the situation under control. We wish the last horses, grooms and riders a safe trip back home.”

“This also means that we now can shift our focus towards Spring MET IV, and get our facilities ready for three weeks of competition between 4-23rd April. We look forward to continuing the Spring Tour!” Pöhls added.