Black and White Sensation! A Zebra to Run in the Velká Pardubická

The world of horse racing, though rooted in tradition, is constantly evolving. Today, we see flat and steeplechase races, equestrian competitions, and racing on grass, sand, and even ploughed fields. Pardubice—a city that holds a crucial spot on the map of steeplechase racing—is not resting on its laurels. Instead, it’s decided to take the appeal of the oldest continental steeplechase in the world to a whole new level. A zebra will be competing in the Velká Pardubická.

With a tradition spanning over 150 years, the Velká Pardubická ranks among the most prestigious horse racing events in Europe. Its 6,900-metre course features 31 obstacles, offering plenty of challenges to test both horses and riders alike. But this year, the racecourse in Pardubice is introducing something the world has never seen: a zebra will take to the track. “The world isn’t just black and white, which made us wonder—can a zebra really compete with racehorses? Generally speaking, yes, but the difficulty lies in taming and training them. It’s far more challenging than with horses,” explains Kateřina Nohavová, PR manager of the Pardubice racecourse. “Still, there have been cases where it worked. Just think of the film Racing Stripes,” she adds.

Untrained zebras can reach speeds of up to 65 kilometres per hour, so they’re not entirely without a chance in a race. “We’re aware that the biggest challenge for the zebra will be the obstacles. We're addressing this on two levels—first, by selecting zebras with longer legs and training them specifically for jumps, and second, by considering adjustments to the course obstacles to make them more zebra-friendly,” explains Kateřina Nohavová. The zebras are expected to be a highlight not only of the Velká Pardubická itself but likely also of some of the qualification races, which are mandatory for entry into the most prestigious steeplechase in the country.

Martin Vencl, a representative of the initiative’s partner, points out that safety will be the top priority. “We don’t want anyone getting hurt. Our aim is to highlight the importance of the zebra—but also the fact that it can surprise you. That’s why it’s important to watch out for the zebra.” The campaign Watch Out for the Zebra is a road safety project by Foxconn Czech Republic, focused on increasing traffic safety—especially in the Pardubice and Kutná Hora regions, where the company operates. More information can be found at www.pozorzebra.cz.