City of Zug, 12.03.2021

The organisers of the show jumping competition are contending with two viruses

A major event on the Stiermarkt area is endangered by the corona pandemic, as well as by a horse disease. Nevertheless, the Kavallerieverein is still planning to go ahead.

The members of the Kavallerieverein Zug (cavalry association) have been providing information about their plans for the next show jumping competition on the Stiermarkt (bull market) area in Zug. "We are aiming for a grassroots event in which sport is at the centre, without offering a supporting programme," explains Gregor R. Bruhin, who heads the organising committee (OK). In addition, it is planned to broadcast the competitions on the Internet via a livestream.

The show jumping competition will take place, as usual, over Pentecost period, which is from 20 to 24 May this year. "We expect to be able to admit at least 300 people to events by then. This would allow us to carry out the sports programme," says Gregor Bruhin. This means that those responsible are gambling on a positive decision regarding the Federal Council and cantonal regulations.

Decision no later than the end of April
It is even planned to be a double track event if the opening was to take place more quickly, and up to 1,000 people would be allowed. Gregor R. Bruhin explains: "In that case, we would be able to create a gastronomic offer within a short period of time, and guarantee the number of people on the premises by means of tracking."

The competitions at the Stierenstallungen attract a large audience.
Picture: Stefan Kaiser (Zug, 5 June 2017)

The decision on the implementation itself will be taken at the end of April. This could, in the worst case, avoid the biggest cost – the setting up of the jumping arena – in good time.

This was not necessary last year, as the corona-related cancellation occurred at the beginning of April. The fact that the Zug show jumping competition later successfully requested aid money from the Corona Fund is due to the fact that, according to the OK President, financial expenses were incurred in relation to marketing and the office. Bruhin finds it important to stress that the loss was also kept low thanks to cost discipline.

An occasion for sports fans and the Schickeria
Ever since its first appearance in 1913, the show jumping competition has gained a firm place on the agenda of the city of Zug. For a long time now, it has long been seen as both a sporting event and the place to see and be seen. According to the organisers, up to 25,000 visitors were counted over the five days. Bruhin says: "This is unique for an equestrian event in Switzerland."

He regrets the fact that this year, in the smaller context, the social part of the must be curtailed or could be completely eliminated. But he does not believe that there will be any damage to its image in relation to future implementations, however.

Herpes virus also in a Zug stable
The horse world is currently battling not only the coronavirus, but also an aggressive herpes virus. This is highly contagious to the animals. and often fatal, and all equestrian events have been banned until the end of March in a number of countries, not including Switzerland, of course. Here, however, adult riders are currently banned from all competitions due to the corona pandemic.

According to Gregor R. Bruhin, the organisers are currently more worried about Covid-19 than about the equine herpes virus. This despite the fact that the latter was also been detected in a stable in the canton of Zug.