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Tag: Herning Dressage

Tree planting demonstrates World Championship commitment to sustainability

Working closely with the local municipality, the Organising Committee of Herning2022 has created a number of green initiatives, including the planting of a forest on the outskirts of the city. 

The sustainability goal of the Organising Committee is straightforward: for the World Championships to make a lasting contribution to the environment, while inspiring everyone involved to take greater responsibility for our planet.

“Forests have a significant positive environmental impact as they are habitats for animals, insects, and plants, and they capture and store atmospheric carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as the trees grow,” Herning2022 CEO of Sport Jens Trabjerg said.

“As every equestrian knows, conserving the environment is necessary for the continued practice of our sport. We want to show that major international sporting events like these World Championships, can make a positive difference.” 

“Through our collaboration with Sport Event Denmark, we hope that other organisers and everyone involved in the organisation of such events will start to adopt a similar approach, and perhaps even our principles, as they carry out their work. The World Championship-Forest will be a lasting heritage for everyone who wants to come by and enjoy the many diverse forest experiences that this unique area will offer.”

Planting 60.000 trees

A total of 60,000 trees will be planted in collaboration with the Growing Trees Network, a self-governing institution that grows new forests both in Denmark and abroad, with the help of public donations. Calculations show that the FEI World Championships Forest will sequester (capture and store) approximately 12,000 tons of CO2 over the next century.

The ECCO FEI World Championships Herning 2022 is set to host around 200,000 spectators and over 1,000 media representatives from 6 to 14 August 2022. It is estimated that approximately 200 million TV viewers will tune in to watch the Jumping, Dressage, Vaulting and Para Dressage competitions.

In addition to the FEI World Championships Forest, the Organising Committee will focus on reusing materials that will be rented where possible, and local riding facilities will receive equipment at the end of the Championships. The judges’ towers will be made of recycled wood and will also be used for many years in other equestrian facilities. Foliage around these installations will be re-planted in the forest as much as possible at the end of event.

The Organisers have also created ‘Solution Square’, which is an area at the venue dedicated to Danish environmental technology and circular economy initiatives. 

“Sustainability is about building long‑term value and sport events like the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning are well placed to create a lasting legacy, not just for equestrian sport but also the local community,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said.

“A change in mindset and attitude is necessary if we are to promote sustainable lifestyles, communities and technologies. And as Herning2022 is showing, the move from small, incremental steps to a bolder strategy for environmental sustainability helps to provide avenues for collaboration and development among local, regional and national stakeholders. 

“The FEI World Championships Forest will be a beautiful legacy for the people of Herning, and will serve as a reminder of what can happen when all parties are willing to come together and work towards a common future.”

A priority

With environmental sustainability a priority for the FEI, the international governing body has worked towards the implementation of equestrian-specific reporting indexes and the creation of a comprehensive guide book for event organisers world-wide.

The FEI Sustainability Handbook for Event Organisers encourages event organisers to implement sustainability initiatives that help reduce the negative environmental impact of their events and create a positive social and economic legacy.

The FEI is also a signatory of the United Nations Climate Change Sports for Climate Action Framework which calls for parties to “undertake systematic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility”.

In addition, the FEI has adopted a number of sustainability initiatives at its Headquarters in the Olympic Capital of Lausanne (SUI). The FEI head office is recognised as a “Minergie” certified building, a Swiss standard indicating low energy use, with a reduced energy consumption of 25 per cent. When the Headquarters were refurbished in 2011, only two per cent of renovated buildings in Switzerland met these standards. Increased recycling and staff training have also featured in the FEI’s Green Office project.

Photo caption: Mayor of Herning Dorthe West (third from left) with the CEO of Growing Trees Kim Nielsen (far left), and Herning 2022 Organising Committee Founders Jens Trabjerg and Casper Cassoe (far right) at the tree planting ceremony in the FEI World Championships Forest. Photo credit: Herning2022 Organising Committee.

About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org

The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm. The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance and Vaulting.

The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for Para Dressage and Para Driving. 

Hööks is investing in the FEI World Championships

The special tickets will optimise the experience for guests. The best seats at Stutteri Ask Stadium are designated the exclusive areas Hööks First Class Area and Hööks Business Class Area, and those seats also serve as partout tickets for those who want to watch all World Championships competitions in Dressage and/or Jumping. These were the first tickets to go on sale, and the partout tickets for Dressage are sold out, but there are single tickets left.

The two areas have been created to allow the audience to have a very special experience inside Stutteri Ask Stadium during the Dressage and Jumping competitions. The World Championships on Danish soil is the largest equestrian event to date in Denmark, and the Organisers experience great interest in this 4-discipline World Championships (Dressage, Jumping, Paradressage, and Vaulting).

Get pampered at Höök’s First Class Area
The seats at Höök’s First Class and Business Class Area are reserved on the long side, close to the arena, seats which are considered to give the best view at the stadium.

Casper Cassøe, who together with Jens Trabjerg is behind Herning2022, says: “First and Business Class each have their own entrance, with their own toilet facilities.”

There is extra pampering for the guests in Höök’s First Class Area because here a light catering is included on the competition days. The ticket also comes with a goodie bag with World Championships merchandise and more. “If you choose Hööks First Class tickets, you can stay inside the stadium and in the associated lounge area. There will be free access to the daily menus and to coffee, beer, water, and house wine,” Casper Cassøe explains. It is a luxury ticket to the World Championships experience. “We will of course make sure that Hööks Hestesport is visible in the area, and guests in the First Class Area can also look forward to a gift from Hööks in their goodie bag. We are pleased that Hööks has chosen the World Championships in Herning to make their commitment to equestrian sports in Scandinavia visible,” concludes Casper Cassøe.

Joachim Höök, CEO of Hööks Hestesport. Photo: Hööks

Hööks Hestesport is Scandinavia’s leading company in the equestrian industry and has a wide range of products for riders, horses, and dogs. The company has 61 stores in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland and also offers e-commerce. Joachim Höök, CEO of Hööks Hestesport, is pleased with the fact that Scandinavia is hosting the prestigious World Championships, and he sees great opportunities for his company in the collaboration with Herning2022: “The reason we participate is to get more visibility at the best competitions. Our commitment to Herning2022 is well connected with our ambition to increase our sales and presence in Denmark.”

The World Championships opens with Dressage and ends with Jumping

It is Blue Horse FEI World Dressage Championship Grand Prix Team competition presented by Helgstrand, which opens the World Championships in Herning on 6 August. The Team competition in Dressage ends on Sunday 7 August, while there is a Grand Prix Special for the top 30 on Monday 8 August. And then the Dressage competitions end on Wednesday night in floodlight with the Blue Horse FEI World Dressage Championship Grand Prix Freestyle competition presented by Helgstrand, an atmospheric evening for Dressage fans.

The showjumpers will occupy Stutteri Ask Stadium from Wednesday 10 August with the Final of the Team competition, Agria FEI World Jumping Championship Team Final presented by Helgstrand on Friday 12 August under floodlights. And it is the Individual Jumping that concludes Herning2022 on 14 August during Agria Super Sunday.

Ticket Herning2022

Herning2022

Herning2022 – sets a new benchmark for how to approach sustainability for large events

The fact that Denmark has at all been awarded the World Championships for four of the equestrian disciplines is an achievement, as many other much larger countries applied for the honor of hosting. But an ambition for a more sustainable approach to the World Championships helped to decide the choice in Danish favor.

This means that the Organisers and partners behind the FEI World Championships Herning – Denmark 2022 have set a towering level of ambition when it comes to developing the event’s sustainable profile.

– We have simply turned it upside down in relation to how most people approach the work with sustainability. Instead of just looking for where we can do it “less bad” environmentally, we look for where we can do “more good”. We want to create lasting positive impacts. We have made a calculation for the amount of CO2 that the World Championships will emit, so we had a starting point, says Jens Trabjerg, one of the Organisers and continues:

– Our approach is that we seek to make positive contributions wherever we can. Hopefully we can help inspire participants, the audience and the press and get people to take greater responsibility for our planet.

Stutteri Ask Stadium at Herning2022. Photo: Herning2022/Ridehesten

An inspiration

Sport Event Denmark is present when large, international championships are to be held in Denmark, and they are a partner at the event. The organisation has a great focus on green development:

– Sport Event Denmark will, together with Federations and host cities, show how we in Denmark can take the lead and host international sporting events and at the same time push for green development. The World Championships in equestrian sports is a long stride ahead in many respects, and we use this event as an example for inspiration for other event organisers, says Lars Lundov, director, Sport Event Denmark.

A special mindset

The high ambitions for the new approach to sustainability have created a very special mindset in the entire Herning2022 organisation. The employees, who work every day to first and foremost create a fantastic equestrian show, always have sustainability in mind. The Organisers have decades of experience in equestrian sports and in arranging championships, and it is a new challenge for them to “think green”.

But within the equine world, the ambition to contribute positively has become more and more clear.

It is estimated that the World Championships will emit around 4,000 tons of CO2, not including transport from participants and guests, and by choosing green solutions whenever possible and buying off setting credits, the event will be CO2-neutral. In addition, 20 hectares of forest are planted in collaboration with Herning Municipality: VM-Skoven, which during this century will bind approx. 12,000 tons of CO2.

– The Organisers’ special focus on sustainability fits very well with Herning Municipality’s strategy to create responsible development and growth for the benefit of a richer nature, a cleaner environment and to reduce the climate impact. I am very happy about the positive legacy that the World Championchips will leave in Herning Municipality in the form of the forest. VM-Skoven will give the municipality’s citizens many new and beautiful nature experiences, says Mayor Dorte West from Herning Municipality.

Three overarching principles

Jasper Steinhausen is responsible for the sustainable efforts and the calculations. The effort is based on three general principles (see fact box). He explains:

– We focus on how we can create lasting positive impacts even though an event like this is temporary by nature. We will use Herning2022 to engage our participants, guests, and the community around us to make better choices, so that together we make the world better in the future. Specifically, we have, for example, collaborated with MCH Exhibition Herning on waste management and sorting as well as catering, which future events will benefit from, Jasper Steinhausen says.

– The second principle is to think circular. We will buy recycled solutions whenever possible and make sure that products and materials are re-used after the event. We will rent or borrow instead of buying new.

The third principle is to integrate sustainability in the dialogue with the many suppliers that a large event such as Herning2022 requires.

– Sustainability is a natural part of our dialogue with partners and suppliers, so together we raise the bar.

Jasper Steinhausen also acknowledges that there will be areas where Herning2022 will be challenged.

– It may be due to unavoidable requirements for equestrian competitions at this level, what is available, qualities, finances and what is doable in time before the World Championships kick off in August. But we will, as much as possible, go for a solution that considers the environment, quality, deliveries, and the overall economy.

Jens Trabjerg. Photo: Henring2022

Before, during and after

When 200,000 spectators, 1,100 media people and approx. 200 million TV viewers in August 2022 turn their attention towards Herning and Denmark, they will not only get to see one of the world’s biggest sporting events – they will also be inspired to think new thoughts and maybe create new habits. There will, for example, be sustainable merchandise, clothes for volunteers etc.

The judges will sit in the judges’ towers of recycled wood, and Denmark will be promoted as a green nation on Solution Square, an area dedicated to Danish environmental technology and circular initiatives.

– And after the world championships, the VM-Skoven will be a green and lasting legacy for Herning2022. It’s a green way to say thank you, and our goal is to move people and make the world better after Herning2022, says Jens Trabjerg.

Facts about Herning2022

FEI World Championships Herning – Denmark 2022 will be held from 6 to 14 August 2022.

There will be competitions in four disciplines: Dressage, Jumping, Para Dressage and Vaulting.

The Organising Committee behind the Championships in addition to VM Herning 2022 ApS, are also the public partners, Sport Event Denmark, Herning Municipality and Dansk Ride Forbund (Danish Riding Association).

Ambition

Herning2022 will create a new benchmark for sustainability at major sporting events.

3 principles of sustainability

  1. Seek positive ripple effects
  2. Think circular
  3. Engage all suppliers in a dialogue on sustainability.

Examples of initiatives

  • Easily accessible off-setting solutions for the participants of these World Championships, and as inspiration for future sport events
  • Collaboration with MCH Exhibition Herning on waste management and sorting (10 fractions) and catering
  • Base materials half rented, and half produced for the purpose. The new one will be used for many years to come at local riding facilities.
  • Judge towers are made of recycled wood in collaboration with local production schools and are guaranteed an after-life locally.
  • VM-Skoven as a permanent legacy for Herning2022.

The size and shape of the sand grains are crucial for the World Championship footing

“We are here to support the organizers of the World Championships and the professionals who are responsible for the footing,” Professor Lars Roepstorff initially explains, he was supported by FEI representative Heidi Zorn (Footing expert and President at Premier Equestrian). The footing used at the Danish Warmblood Stallion Selection in Herning will also be used at all World Championship arenas, training- and warmup arenas. The experts were present to investigate the footing together with Janus Haubroe from Skibby HC, who is the “Official Footing Supplier” for the championship and thus responsible for having mats, sand and fibers laid on 35.000 m2 in Herning. Several meetings and numerus tests of the surface were conducted. The practical team, which will be responsible for maintenance and care of the footing, led by Jesper Møller, also participated in studies and debates together with one of the three area managers, Niels Jørgen Cassøe.

Lars Roepstorff is a trained veterinarian and has a PH.D. in functional anatomy from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and has been a professor in the subject since 2011. Together with leading researchers, he has developed a machine: Orono Biomechanical Surface Tester, which is used to test the footing at major competitions and championships such as WEG in Tryon, Olympics in London, Rio and Tokyo.

Now this scientific method is also being used to ensure the optimal footing for the horses at the World Championships in Herning in August.

“It takes technical cooperation to make a good footing. Creating the right footing is so complicated – it is not a job for an individual, ” Lars explains, he elaborates: Building and caring for the footing is very complex. There are completely different expectations to the footing when it is a championship and in particular a world championship.”

Professor Lars Roepstorff together with expert in footing, Heidi Zorn and Somesh Dutt from FEI, behind him is one of the Organisers of the World Championship, Casper Cassøe, CEO operations, Janus Haubro from Skibby HC and Niels Jørgen Cassøe, from the maintenance team. Photo: Zibrasport Equest

The footing is the heart of the championship

The footing at the warm-up and competition arenas is crucial to the performance of the horse and rider in competition. In a way, one can deduce that the footing is the heart of all competitions. It is a difficult balance is to make a footing that allows the horse and rider to deliver their optimal performance, while minimizing the risk of injury to the horse.

If you think the footing is just a matter of placing random sand into an arena and leveling it out, you are horribly mistaken. It is extremely complex, and the sand used for the World Championship arenas is examined right down to the size and shape of the individual sand grains. The championships in Herning are held on a footing, combining a mix of special sand and fibers.

Heidi Zorn explains: “The fibers hold the sand together, and help to give the footing a coherence, a cushioning when the hoof hits the ground and a spring effect, and all this must be the same throughout the arena. The uniformity of the surface is important, because the horse cannot adapt to significant changes in the footing over a single gallop. Uniformity is essential in relation to injury prevention. ”

Fendt is the “Official Tractor Supplier” for the World Championships, and the company will deliver a number of tractors ready to be a valuable part of the maintenance of the footing.

Skilled tractor driver required

Maintaining the bottom once it is established is at least as important as choosing the right material. A general rule, says Lars, that 50% of the function is based on the choice of the right material and 50% is maintenance. Therefore, it requires people with great experience, and an ability to fine-tune the footing along the way.

Today, we can measure the properties we want for the footing, in a way that those responsible for establishment and maintenance have some specific measurements, instead of asking riders, coaches, etc. as everyone has their own opinion as regards to what characterizes good footing.

“With a fixed value, we can build and maintain the footing to reach the desired properties. This means, we can inform the Organisers and riders that the footing complies with the set requirements, and it minimizes discussions about the footing, concludes Lars Roepstorff’s.

Herning 2022: Watch all non-championship-classes on Zibrasport Equest

Lots of streaming on Zibrasport Equest

When the World Championships in jumping, dressage, paradressage and vaulting take place in Herning in August, you can watch lots of equestrian sports at Zibrasport Equest. We will stream all non-championship- classes (international dressage and jumping) from the event plus clinics etc. The Championships can be seen on national TV or Clip My Horse.

Behind the scenes with Riders Corner

The World Cup is a fantastic set-up, and a lot will happen in the 9 days that Herning becomes the center of the equestrian sport. Keep an eye out for Riders Corner directly from the showground, where journalist and TV anchor, Louise Rømer, is ready with current guests and updates on the exciting news from the championships. Riders Corner will be live streamed twice a days during the event.

Riders Corner, Louise Rømer and Anna Kasprzak. Photo: Zibrasport Equest

Watch LIVE

Preliminary streaming program for non championship competitions on Zibrasport Equest during the World Championship (there can be changes). Programme for clinics etc. will follow:

Friday August 5
08:00 – 10:00 Dressage Junior Individual, CDI-J                               
12:00 – 16:00 Jumping Small Tour, CSI2*                                           
16:30 – 20:30 Matzen Tegl Jumping Big Tour (GP Qual.), CSI2*        

Saturday August 6
08:00 – 10:00 Trolle Company Dressage YR Individual, CDI-YR         
12:00 – 16:00 Jumping Small Tour, CSI2*                                           
16:30 – 20:30 Matzen Tegl Jumping Big Tour (GP Qual), CSI2*        

Sunday August 7
08:00 – 10:00 DK Company Dressage Junior Freestyle, CDI-J            
11:00 – 13:00 Dressage U-25 Individual, CDI-U25                              
15:30 – 19:30 Jumping Small Tour Final, CSI2*                                   

Monday August 8
08:00 – 10:00 Trolle Company Dressage CDI-YR Freestyle                
10:30 – 12:30 Dressurens Venner Dressage CDI-U25 Freestyle        
09:00 – 12:00 Jumping Big Tour Grand Prix, CSI2*                            

Wednesday August 10
20:00 – 22:00 KRAFFT Jumping Tour of Amateurs, CSI-AM               

Thursday August 11
17:00 – 20:30 BEMER Int. AG Jumping Medium Tour, CSI3*             

Friday August 12
08:00 – 11:30 BEMER Int. AG Jumping Medium Tour, CSI3*             
12:30 – 14:00 Mustang Pony Trophy                                                  
15:00 – 18:00 Rich Stables Jumping Big Tour, CSI3*                          

Saturday August 13
08:00 – 10:00 KRAFFT Jumping Tour of Amateurs, CSI-AM               
12:00 – 15:30 Jumping Big Tour, CSI3*                                               
16:30 – 18:00 Mustang Pony Trophy                                                 
17:00 – 19:30 BEMER Int. AG Jumping Medium Tour Final, CSI3*    

Sunday August 14
09:00 – 11:30 Global Trucks Jumping Big Tour Grand Prix, CSI3*     

ECCO FEI World Championships Herning

Strike a pose

Within the stable area, in a calm spot on the side of two warm-up arenas, the FEI media team has built a studio with a green screen, lights and all necessary equipment to capture the essence of each participant. It takes a big green screen to accommodate a horse in full, and the athletes arrive in full competition gear for their photo, meaning tails with all the ornaments from previous achievements.  

The photographers Mehmet Akdag and Jonas Franke have several people to help out. It is not always an easy task to make horses “smile” for the camera – meaning prick their ears forward and get that attentive look on their face. One assistant plays a sound, a horse neighing is the most popular one giving the best result. The athletes are much easier, very aware of how important it is to look their best – after all, this photo will be shown for millions of viewers while streamed and broadcasted for the world.  

Photo: Herning2022

All day and for several days the riders and their horse queue up as well as officials, chef d’Equipe’ and team veterinaries. Outside the temporary photo studio, the horses can have a snack of grass or just check-out teammates or the competition.  

The end result is photos, cleared of background and surroundings, used on the big screens in the arena presenting each rider and horse combination. The broadcast production teams also use the photos in different ways.  

Photo: Herning2022