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Technical production for the Geneva CHI: supporting an international event
Every year, the Geneva International Horse Show establishes itself as one of the major events on the global equestrian calendar. Held at PALEXPO, this event brings together the world's best riders and drivers in a particularly demanding technical and scenic setting.
For more than thirty years, SKYNIGHT has been working with the Geneva CHI Association to design and implement the audiovisual systems for the competition. Sound, lighting, video, and structures are designed as a coherent whole, serving the sport, the audience, and the international broadcast of the event.
In this article, let's take a look behind the scenes of technical production. behind the scenes of the technical production of this edition, highlighting the challenges, technical choices, and organization required to produce an event of this magnitude.
About the Geneva International Horse Show
Established in 1926, the Geneva International Horse Show is one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions in the world. With nearly a century of history, it has established itself as an essential reference in show jumping and indoor carriage driving.
The CHI in Geneva stands out in particular for having the world's largest indoor arena, offering an exceptional competition surface in the heart of the PALEXPO exhibition halls. This unique setting welcomes large audiences every year, as well as the biggest names in the discipline, in optimal conditions for athletic performance and television broadcasts.
Recognized many times for the quality of its organization, the CHI Geneva is one of the four "Majors" of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, alongside the Dutch Masters in 's-Hertogenbosch, the CHIO in Aachen, and the Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary. This status highlights the international prestige of the event and the high standards that accompany it.
A true showcase for equestrian sport on a global scale, the Geneva International Horse Show combines tradition, innovation, and organizational excellence, making each edition an eagerly awaited event for professionals, athletes, and the general public alike.
A major event in a unique setting
A site that measures up to the competition
The Geneva International Horse Show takes place at PALEXPO, a venue capable of hosting large-scale sporting and technical facilities. Spread across several halls, the venue can accommodate the world's largest indoor arena, as well as all the spaces required to organize the competition.
Technical constraints related to volumes
The dimensions of the halls, the ceiling height, and the layout of the spaces require precise adaptation of the audiovisual equipment. The lighting of the track, the sound system, and the legibility of information must be designed to ensure consistent visibility, both for the audience on site and for the recording and broadcasting equipment.
Collective and coordinated organization
The event's implementation relies on close coordination between the various trades. Each task is part of a rigorous overall schedule that incorporates safety requirements, set-up, operation, and dismantling times, as well as the specific constraints of the PALEXPO site.
Technical production as a structuring element:
In this context, technical production plays a central role. It contributes to the smooth running of the event, the quality of the competition conditions, and the experience offered to spectators, both on site and remotely.
A long-term partnership
From one edition to the next, the technical production of the Geneva CHI relies on operational continuity. Knowledge of the PALEXPO site, its configurations, and the specific constraints of the competition allows each new edition to be approached with a working framework that is already well understood.
This continuity facilitates the anticipation of technical requirements, the adjustment of equipment, and coordination with the teams involved in organizing the event. It also allows for the integration of changes to the competition without disrupting the existing balance.
Over the course of successive editions, this approach has facilitated smooth organization, ongoing dialogue with the Geneva CHI Association, and the gradual adaptation of technical resources to the realities on the ground.
The challenges of this anniversary edition
This edition of the Geneva International Horse Show took place in a special context, marked by the 25th anniversary of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. This anniversary meant that greater attention had to be paid to the staging of the event, while respecting the codes and requirements specific to the competition.
The main challenge was to upgrade certain technical systemswithout disrupting the sporting event or the habits of the public and teams. The choices made had to meet specific criteria: reliability of the installations, compliance with international standards, quality of television broadcasting, and readability of information in real time.
This edition also provided an opportunity to integrate new-generation equipment, particularly in terms of sound and lighting, in order to keep pace with changing uses and expectations. These developments were designed with a view to continuous improvement, taking into account the constraints of the site and the event schedule.
Finally, the anniversary dimension reinforced the importance of overall coordination. Each technical adjustment had to be integrated into an already dense organization, involving numerous stakeholders and a particularly structured schedule.
Comprehensive and coordinated technical production
The technical production of the Geneva CHI is based on a cross-functional approach, integrating all the audiovisual components necessary for the smooth running of the competition. Sound, lighting, video, and structures are designed as a single system, conceived in direct relation to the sporting constraints, the venue, and the running of the event.
Sound
The sound system had to guarantee consistent coverage throughout all the halls concerned, while ensuring perfect intelligibility for the public, teams, and officials.
The main challenges:
- sound coverage adapted to the surface area of the track and grandstands
- management of sound levels according to the highlights of the competition
- equipment reliability throughout the event
The system was based on a set of speakers and subwoofers distributed in such a way as to ensure sound consistency, controlled from a centralized control room.
Lighting
Track lighting is a key element of the competition. It must meet specific standards, both for the sporting event itself and for television recording and broadcasting.
Key points taken into consideration:
- compliance with regulatory lighting levels on the ground
- uniformity of light across the entire track
- distinction between sports lighting and ambient lighting
The installation combined spotlights dedicated to lighting the runway and automatic spotlights designed for scenographic sequences and highlights.
Video and display
Video devices play an essential role in the competition and the spectator experience. They ensure the broadcast of images, information, and scoring in real time.
The system included:
- a main LED wall located opposite the runway
- a central cube dedicated to scoring
- additional screens distributed throughout the site
The entire event was controlled from a video control room, allowing for smooth content management throughout the event.
Structures and rigging
The installation of audiovisual equipment relies on an infrastructure of structures and motorization adapted to the volume of the PALEXPO halls.
The main constraints:
- construction of long-span bridges
- load distribution and installation safety
- coordination with other technical facilities
This phase is an essential prerequisite for the installation of sound, lighting, and video.
Team coordination
Beyond the technical aspects, the success of the system depends on constant coordination between teams, from installation to operation.
This involves, in particular:
- precise organization of the assembly and disassembly phases
- continuous operation during the event
- work closely with other trades
A structured organization, from preparation to operation
The technical production of the CHI Geneva is being implemented according to a precise schedule, divided into several successive phases. Each stage is designed to ensure the continuity of the project, from the installation of infrastructure to the final dismantling.
The preparation and assembly phase lasts several days and involves teams dedicated to setting up structures, installing audiovisual equipment, and making technical adjustments. This period allows all systems to be validated before the competition begins.
During the event, technical operations rely on the continuous presence of teams. The systems are monitored in real time to ensure smooth running, responsiveness in the event of adjustments, and adherence to the program.
Finally, dismantling is carried out within a limited time frame, in coordination with other site stakeholders, in compliance with safety standards and the overall schedule.
Key figures for the project
- several weeks of preparation beforehand
- 2 weeks of editing on-site
- 5 days of operation during the event
- 4 days of dismantling
- up to 50 technicians mobilized according to the phases
- more than 120 speakers and about twenty subwoofers
- near 500 spotlights
- a main LED wall of 13 × 7.5 m, supplemented by numerous screens
- more than 1,500 meters of structures and nearly 200 engines
A collective project
The technical production of the Geneva International Horse Show is the result of a collective effort involving many different parties. In addition to the SKYNIGHT teams, the project involves close collaboration with the Geneva CHI Association, PALEXPO, and all the trades involved on site.
This coordination is essential at every stage of the project. It allows us to anticipate constraints, adjust interventions, and ensure smooth coexistence between the various technical, sporting, and logistical facilities. Regular exchanges between teams help to maintain consistent organization throughout the event.
In such a complex context, the success of the system depends on complementary skills, clear roles, and compliance with the operational framework defined in advance.
Through this project, SKYNIGHT ensured the implementation of a comprehensive audiovisual system, combining sound, lighting, video, and structures, in close accordance with the site's constraints, the competition schedule, and the organizers' expectations.
The ongoing partnership with the CHI in Geneva allows us to approach each edition with in-depth knowledge of the context and a constant ability to adapt, ensuring that the event runs smoothly and that the public enjoys a great experience.
SKYNIGHT would like to thank theAssociation du Concours Hippique International de Genève (ACHIG) for its renewed confidence, as well as PALEXPO for its collaboration throughout this edition.
Special thanks also go to all the teams involved in the project, whose commitment and coordination made this technical production possible.
