International Show-Jumping Events in Prague to Take Place Without Spectators

In less than a week, hundreds of top show-jumping horses from around the world will arrive at the Chuchle Arena Prague to compete in the international show-jumping World Cup and Nations Cup events. The events are to be held without spectators.

Last year, during the inaugural CSIO CET in Prague, one thousand spectators per day watched the competitions live at the venue. Unfortunately, this year’s sanitary measures do not permit any spectators. Viewers will be able to watch the CSIO CET – as well as the preceding CSI Prague Arena event that will be held from 29th April to 2nd May – online or on the television.

“We are truly sorry that show-jumping fans, whose numbers are steadily growing in the Czech Republic, will not be able to attend this top-flight sporting event in which riders and horses will have yet another chance to qualify for the upcoming Olympic Games, European and World Championships. On the other hand, we are happy that the event can take place at all in view of the current situation. We will try to do our best to provide top media coverage of the events for our fans,” said Markéta Šveňková, CSI Prague Arena and CSIO CET Event Director.

As the maximum number of people who can be in the complex at the same time is 400 and due to very strict anti-covid measures, the presence of media representatives on site will be restricted. “Due to the limited number of people allowed in the arena and the anti-covid measures that we have to comply with pursuant to the exception issued by the National Sport Agency and the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, media representatives will not be allowed in the arena,” continues Šveňková.

Comprehensive event information, rider lists, results and official photographs will be published on the events websites – www.csi-praguearena.com and www.csiopraha.cz. In addition to live coverage, the websites will also feature interviews with riders and staff. “Accredited journalists will have an opportunity to use our online platform for live interviews with selected riders. Our press centre will try to be as helpful as possible to accommodate all requests for interviews. We believe that show-jumping fans will not miss anything important despite the interaction being only virtual this time,” added the Event Director.

The ČT Sport channel on Czech Television will offer live coverage of the CSI Prague Arena Grand Prix on Sunday, 2nd May at 3:30 p.m.; live broadcast of the first round of the CSIO CET Nations Cup will start on Friday, 7th May at 12:30 p.m., the second round at 2:45 p.m. The last broadcast is planned for Sunday, 9th May, with the CSIO CET Grand Prix starting at 3:30 p.m. On-line broadcasts will be available every day and will begin approximately 15 minutes before the start of the first competition, i.e. at around 8:00 a.m. Continually updated information will be available on the events websites.