Finding your way in Dutch equestrian sport.
From your first riding lesson to KWPN auctions: practical guides, level-based paths and market data from the Netherlands, in English.
Choose your level
- Level 1Just starting outYou've never sat on a horse, or you've only had a few lessons.What to wear, how to choose a good riding school and what lessons cost.
- Level 2Considering your own horseYou've been riding at a riding school for a while and are thinking about a horse or pony of your own.What your own horse costs per month, where it can live and how to buy safely.
- Level 3First competitionsYou have your own horse and want to start competing.Applying for your startpas, choosing your first class and preparing for the show.
- Level 4Competing more seriouslyYou compete regularly and want to get more serious.Building a training week, moving up a class and handling competition pressure.
- Level 5Talent pathwayYou're at the top of your age group and aiming for the KNHS youth team or a talent program.Selection for the KNHS youth team, talent programs and combining top sport with school.
- Level 6For professionalsYou make your living with horses or are working toward it.Setting up your own yard, finding sponsors and competing internationally.
Atypical Myopathy in Horses: Recognizing and Preventing Maple Poisoning
What atypical myopathy (pasture myopathy) is, which maples carry the toxin, when the risk is highest, and what to do if you suspect it and in the pasture.
7 min readHaflinger Breed Profile: Size, Temperament and Care
The Haflinger at a glance: South Tyrolean origin, Dutch studbooks, ideal height, chestnut color, temperament, and points to watch for health and feeding.
8 min readHow to Lunge a Horse: Technique, Duration and Safety
Lunging a horse from the ground: why, equipment, the triangle, circle size, duration, safety for you and your horse, and common mistakes.
8 min readShetland Pony Breed Profile: Size, Temperament and Care
The Shetland pony at a glance: origin, studbook, height up to 107 cm, temperament and uses, and points to watch for health and feeding in this hardy pony.
7 min readUnderstanding Horse Behavior: Body Language, Stress and Pain
How your horse communicates and learns: body language, recognizing stress and pain, and knowing when to call the vet or a behavior specialist.
8 min readWelsh Pony Breed Profile: Sections A to D, Temperament and Care
The Welsh pony at a glance: six breeding lines with their height limits, origin, studbook, temperament and uses, and points to watch for health and feeding.
8 min readDutch horse auctions,
in numbers.
Sale rates, average and top prices from KWPN and other Dutch auctions: every figure with a source link, the full dataset free to use as open data.
Open the auction monitor →Followed continuously from August 2026, including the six KWPN Online Foal Auctions.
The full platform (with daily news, the jargon dictionary and all 200+ guides) lives on the Dutch side. Naar de Nederlandse site →