Helsinki International Horse Show is Finland’s largest annual indoor sporting event. The goal of the event is to become the world’s leading sustainable equestrian event. This ambition is pursued through the comprehensive Jumps Green environmental programme, which sets concrete environmental targets, implements impactful actions, and minimizes the negative environmental impacts of the event.
Work towards sustainability began as early as 2017. Since 2022, the event’s carbon footprint and other key environmental impacts have been comprehensively calculated and assessed. The carbon footprint calculation takes into account emissions generated by, among other things, the travel and catering of employees, visitors, competitors, horses, and partners. The carbon footprint is calculated annually, with the aim of systematically reducing it year by year.
Helsinki International Horse Show was awarded the Ekokompassi certificate in 2019. The Ekokompassi environmental management system supports the event in managing environmental responsibility and guides continuous development and improvement.
Food waste is reduced at the food preparation stage, both in public restaurants and in Crew Catering kitchens. We also hope that those dining at buffets will pay particular attention to waste prevention.
Vegetarian and vegan options will be available at the event. There will be vegetarian options at every stall and vegan options at several stalls. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options at the food stalls and Crew Catering will have a vegetarian option available on all days. In 2024, VIP Lounge will have a vegetarian menu.
Did you know that…
The environmental impact of beef is more than 20 times greater than that of broad beans!
Helsinki International Horse Show 2026 supports responsible choices by visitors, competitors, and partners, particularly in terms of mobility and waste management. The event’s new location at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre provides excellent conditions for sustainable event organization and for reducing environmental impacts.
The Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre is centrally located and exceptionally well connected by public transport from across the Helsinki metropolitan area and the rest of Finland. The venue is easily accessible by trains, trams, and buses, and the use of public transport is encouraged as the primary mode of travel. Good connections reduce the need for private car use and significantly lower emissions caused by event-related travel. Walking and cycling are also smooth options in the area, and there are good bicycle parking facilities available.
Recycling and waste management are a key part of the responsibility work of HIHS 2026. The Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre offers comprehensive and clearly marked recycling solutions that enable efficient waste sorting during the event. Separate collection containers are available for bio-waste, cardboard, plastic, metal, and energy waste, among others. Clear guidance and well-functioning sorting points make recycling easy for both visitors and event staff.
The event aims to minimize the amount of waste generated already in advance through, for example, sustainable material choices, reusable structures, and considered procurement. Recycling solutions support the principles of the circular economy and ensure that as much waste as possible generated during the event is directed towards reuse. In this way, HIHS 2026 actively promotes environmentally responsible event production and encourages visitors to make sustainable choices as part of their event experience.
From manure to momentum for growth
The Horse Show’s partner HorsEco is responsible for handling the manure generated at the event. HorsEco is an ecological manure processing facility that receives bedding manure. The manure produced at the Horse Show is further processed into soil and soil improvement products.
This year, Helsinki International Horse Show places special emphasis on supporting mobility and an active lifestyle among children and young people. The aim of the event is to offer inspiring and easily accessible ways to be active and to get acquainted with equestrian activities in a safe and encouraging environment.
Self-directed movement and play are an important part of children’s and young people’s well-being, and the event seeks to create space for trying, doing, and spending time together as part of the event experience. Activities designed for young people encourage movement according to individual interests and skill levels.
At the event, children and young people have their own hobby horse area reserved exclusively for their use. The area provides an opportunity to move, practice, and participate in hobby horsing in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. The hobby horse area encourages creativity, a sense of community, and the joy of movement without performance pressure. At the OP Uusimaa hobby horse arena, competitions are held at the level of Finnish Championship qualifying events. In addition, classes at a lower level are offered, as well as a separate arena for free-form hobby horsing.
By investing in children’s and young people’s mobility, Helsinki International Horse Show promotes well-being and strengthens a positive relationship with physical activity and horses. At the same time, the event supports the development of a sustainable and inclusive culture of physical activity.
This is made possible by the City of Helsinki, the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, OP Uusimaa, and Fazer.
Helsinki International Horse Show is committed to creating a safe and respectful event environment. The event follows safer space principles, and no form of harassment, bullying, discrimination, or violation of personal integrity is accepted in any form.
You can contact the Helsinki International Horse Show harassment contact persons if
you observe shortcomings or issues related to equality at the event, or
you yourself experience bullying, harassment, unequal treatment, or discrimination, for example based on your gender, age, ethnic or national background, language, religion or other belief, opinion, disability or health condition, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic.
All reports are handled confidentially and appropriately. Our goal is to ensure that Helsinki International Horse Show is a safe and equal event for everyone
The John Nurminen Foundation is known for its significant contribution to the Baltic Sea rescue effort. Its mission is to save the Baltic Sea and its heritage for future generations. Each year, the Foundation carries out more than ten projects to tackle the Baltic Sea’s biggest environmental problems
The most serious environmental problem in the Baltic Sea is eutrophication, with symptoms such as blue-green algae blooms every year. To stop eutrophication and save the Baltic Sea, a significant reduction in nutrient discharges is therefore needed immediately.
Equestrian sport is one of the most environmentally damaging sports, so it’s time to pay back. Cooperation with the John Nurminen Foundation is a concrete way to take into account the Baltic Sea, along which many riders come to Helsinki to compete.
© Oona Lavonsalo
Volunteers are the heart of the event – their contribution makes it possible to deliver a smooth, safe, and high-quality international sporting event.
Volunteering promotes a sense of community, inclusion, and equality by offering people of different ages and backgrounds the opportunity to take part in organizing the event. At the same time, volunteers develop their skills, gain valuable experience in event work, and strengthen their working life and interaction skills.
Volunteer work at the Horse Show also supports a sustainable event culture. A local, committed volunteer network reduces the need for resources and promotes responsible operating practices. Together with volunteers, Helsinki International Horse Show builds an event based on cooperation, responsibility, and shared pride.
The Helsinki International Horse Show has a new partner for manure handling. HorsEco is a new full-service ecological horse manure treatment and reception facility that operates according to the principles of the circular economy.
