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Fairgrounds director urges short closure of stalls and arenas amid EHV‑1 outbreak
Summary
Fairgrounds director Kimber Solberg, citing advice from veterinarian Dr. Sarah Schreiber, recommended closing stalls, outdoor pens and arenas to overnight travelers and nonessential users for an estimated 7–10 days after security footage showed sign‑in violations; commissioners agreed the fairgrounds board and veterinarian should manage the response and will reassess in about a week.
Kimber Solberg, Sheridan County Fairgrounds director, told commissioners that after consulting Dr. Sarah Schreiber at Moxie Schreiber Veterinary Hospital she and the veterinarian now recommend closing access to the fairgrounds’ stalls, outdoor pens and arenas to overnight travelers and nonessential users while officials monitor an EHV‑1 outbreak. "Out of an abundance of cost caution, Doctor Schreiber and I now recommend closing the access to the fairgrounds, outdoor pens, arenas, and stalls," Solberg said.
Solberg said the fairgrounds had been operating under a protocol that allowed arenas and outdoor pens to remain open if visitors signed in, but security footage showed multiple users did not comply with sign‑in procedures. The director said two long‑term boarders who have not left the property are being retained in assigned stalls; the temporary restriction targets traveling users who stop briefly and may intermingle animals.
Commissioners discussed practical limits of enforcement overnight and the role of veterinarians in assessing animal health. Solberg and others noted sign‑in provides traceability but does not substitute for a veterinary health assessment; Solberg said the fairgrounds staff will not attempt to diagnose animals and that a veterinarian should determine whether an animal is ill.
One commissioner warned of the stakes: "This is killing million dollar horses right out there right now," he said, urging caution and supporting the manager and veterinarian’s recommendation. Commissioners agreed the federal fairgrounds board and the fairgrounds manager, working with their veterinarian, are best placed to manage closures and protocols and asked for an update in one week to ten days to reassess the situation.
The board did not adopt a countywide ordinance or issue an enforcement order at the meeting; rather, commissioners endorsed the fairgrounds manager and her board to act under the veterinarian’s guidance and requested a timely follow‑up report.
