HERNING 2022 sets the bar higher

Herning 2022 intended to create a sustainability model for great equestrian events. The approach involves the development of a new mentality that considers sustainability as an opportunity for innovation and added value.

Herning 2022’s approach to CO2 was to reduce it to a minimum whenever possible, while compensating for the rest: ‘The greatest impact on climate derives from transport to and from the venue, but it is however impossible to organise an event without horses, riders and visitors. That is the reason for which we decided to offer the possibility of compensation. This is our planet and we all have to be part of the solution,’ said the organising committee.

The FEI and several national equestrian federations have also joined the climate protection project together with Herning 2022 and in cooperation with First Climate. This is a wind energy project in north-western Turkey. The wind farm is located on the hills along the Marmara Sea coast, an area with ideal conditions for the sustainable production of electricity using wind. The project has 35 wind turbines that provide clean electricity to more than 100,000 people every year.

Herning 2022 also raised the bar for horse welfare at shows. Stabling and arena management in all disciplines was very good. There was also a break every 20 horses for arena maintenance. Furthermore, on the day before the classes under floodlights were held, everyone was allowed to enter the lit arena so as to accustom their horses to the lights. The show jumping courses were tough, as expected at a World Championship, but, according to the riders themselves, very intelligently built, paying great attention to the horses and emphasising fitness above all. The starting orders indicated the names of the horses as well and their genealogy, the name of owners and also the names of the grooms!

One additional step forward could be adding the breeder’s name too!