CENTRAL POINT, Oregon – Following a short closure earlier this week, the horse facilities at the Jackson County Expo are temporarily closed after the Oregon Department of Agriculture issued a temporary administrative order in response to a multistate outbreak of equine herpesvirus (EHV).
The closure, with immediate effect, initially halted all horse-related activities at the venue. The expo posted the announcement on its official Facebook page, emphasizing that the decision was made to prioritize the safety and well-being of the animals, participants, and the public.
“At this time, we await further guidance from the Oregon Department of Agriculture so we can determine the most appropriate and responsible path forward,” the post said. “We will provide an update when we hear from them.”
The temporary order, officially titled Temporary Administrative Order Including Necessity and Appropriateness Statement DOA 26-2025, Chapter 603, was filed on November 19 and will remain in effect until May 17, 2026.
The order establishes requirements for horse shows to reduce the risk of EHV and outlines protocols to prevent the introduction or spread of the virus in facilities across Oregon.
The ODA order says immediate action is necessary because exposed horses have already spread to several states, making it important to strengthen protections while creating a permanent rule.
The regulations require additional safety measures for horses entering the state or participating in high-risk events, including monitoring health, maintaining records and establishing isolation procedures if animals show signs of illness.
In response to the order, Expo has implemented a new check-in process to allow safe operations. Individual riders can sign up for individual sessions at the Isola Arena gate, while organizers of closed-group practices, including OHSET teams and 4-H groups, must complete a check-in form and submit it to Expo Operations.
The expo said these measures will help monitor hygiene and animal health and allow quick response in the event of an outbreak.
Open riding remains permitted under the new rules, and group practices are permitted as long as standard health and safety protocols are followed. The expo encouraged riders to be vigilant about the health of their horses and to report any concerns immediately.
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