Show officials removed two horses competing at the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Nations Cup show jumping event in La Baule, France, from the show grounds on May 11 after the animals tested positive for equine influenza.

Four additional horses handled by the same grooms as the two positive horses were also removed. The positive influenza tests come in the midst of an outbreak of the contagious equine disease among international-level competition horses in Normandy, France.

The affected horses showed no signs of illness, and the laboratory test gives no indication of the virus’ activity level or the horse’s risk of contagion, according to an FEI press release.

"These measures, which could be viewed as being excessive, have been put in place after consultation with all parties involved to ensure the health status of all the horses at La Baule," said Graeme Cooke, MA, VetMB, MRCVS, FEI veterinary director. Cooke noted that the measures met the approval of the World Animal Health Organization (OIE)