Practical guides on riding, buying and keeping a horse in the Netherlands — translated from the Dutch originals. The English set grows batch by batch; the full Dutch library has 200+ guides.
What side reins, Lauffer reins, chambons, and draw reins do, when auxiliary reins make sense, and why correct lunging usually works better.
6 min readAn overview of horse and equestrian podcasts — Dutch and English-language shows on welfare, training, mindset, and news, and how to choose.
6 min readWhat groundwork is, what it does for trust and safety, what equipment you need, and five basic exercises to get started.
6 min readWhat natural horsemanship involves, how it differs from regular training, what the criticism is, and which principles any rider can use.
6 min readWhy horses spook, which causes to rule out first, and how desensitizing, groundwork, and a calm rider build trust step by step.
6 min readFrom groundwork and handling basics to backing and the first year under saddle: training a young horse without overloading body or mind.
6 min readWhy almost every horse is crooked, how to recognize a hollow and stiff side, and which exercises gradually straighten your horse.
6 min readWhen you're ready for your first trail ride, why an experienced companion horse is the golden rule, and what to agree on the way.
6 min readWhat the Landelijke Rijvereniging (LRV) is, how the federation and local clubs work together, which disciplines it offers, and how to join.
5 min readHow the Rozetten certificates from Paardensport Vlaanderen work: six levels, what you demonstrate, where you test, and what it costs.
5 min readHow to safely lead a horse in hand with a halter or rope halter: position, the lead rope, stopping and turning, tying up, and common mistakes.
5 min readFirst time on a horse at 30 or 60: what adult beginners experience differently than children, and how to plan around it.
5 min readWhat to do when you feel like you're no longer improving at riding — common causes, how to find yours, and practical ways to break through.
6 min readHow to get a sport horse physically fit for harder work — building stamina, strength, and recovery step by step without injury.
5 min readHow to choose a dressage trainer who fits you at M and Z level — what to look for, what to ask, and when switching makes sense.
6 min readWhich bit suits your horse? An overview of the common types, how they act on the mouth, and how to arrive at the right choice.
5 min readThe mistakes almost every beginner rider makes — from gripping the reins too tight to looking down — and how to correct them.
5 min readGetting your horse ready for the first time? Groom and saddle up step by step, with attention to order, safety, and the girth.
5 min readThe words your instructor uses in your first riding lessons, explained in the context where you'll hear them — from hoefslag to lichtrijden.
5 min readHow long it takes to learn to ride, how often you should practice, and realistic milestones to expect in your first year.
4 min readHow to tell whether your horse is physically and mentally ready for harder work, and when it's better to wait.
5 min readWhat to note after every ride, and how weeks of entries reveal trends in scores, health, and technique instead of relying on gut feel.
5 min readWhich roles steer the talent pathway — from national coach to training stable — and how to find out who matters for your discipline and age.
5 min readHow to learn the posting trot — feeling the rhythm, finding the correct diagonal, and why sitting trot is harder at first.
5 min readHow to load your horse into a trailer calmly and without stress, transport it safely to a lesson or show, and prevent loading problems.
5 min readWhy you freeze up at a competition and what to do about it: breathing, routines, and focus to get nerves and blanking out under control.
5 min readFor adult beginners nervous about their first riding lesson: where the fear comes from and how to feel calmer, step by step.
5 min readThe difference between private and group riding lessons for beginners, what each costs, and which fits your goal, budget, and pace.
5 min readHow riders build strength and symmetry, with targeted core, balance, and posture exercises that improve your scores in the ring.
6 min readCan you join a pony camp or riding holiday with no riding experience? What to expect as a beginner or parent, what to check, and when to wait.
4 min readThe unwritten riding school etiquette nobody explains: how to behave in the arena, in the stable, and around other riders and horses.
5 min readHow a dressage test is structured, how to memorize it, and what to expect on the day of your first start.
6 min readHow to ride a specific test more deliberately and use the judge's scoresheet to see where you gain — and lose — points.
6 min readHow to plan a full competition season around one main goal — from choosing it to the calendar, training periods, and a moment to adjust course.
5 min readConcrete criteria for assessing a riding school before signing up — from horse care and safety to lesson groups, prices, and first impressions.
6 min readHow to build a weekly schedule for your dressage horse — the balance of technique, fitness, suppling, and rest, periodized around competitions.
6 min readHow to read a dressage judging protocol, understand why you scored as you did, and find which movements offer the most room to improve.
4 min readHow to walk a show jumping course smartly — pacing off distances, choosing lines and tempo — and ride that plan clear at the higher levels.
5 min readThe age children can safely start, why there's no upper age limit for adults, and what changes at each stage of life.
5 min readAn explanation of lunging for beginners: why the instructor holds the horse on a long line, and what you learn from it as a rider.
5 min readWhat to wear to your first riding lesson without buying anything: pants, shoes, layers, and what the riding school lends you.
5 min readWhen moving up to M or Z dressage makes sense — the signs you're ready, and the pitfalls of promoting too soon.
4 min readWhen a beginner is ready to canter, how to ask for and sit the first canter strides, and how to stay calm and confident.
5 min readHow to walk a show jumping course on foot — reading the route, choosing your lines, and counting distances in canter strides before you ride.
4 min readA practical guide to your very first riding lesson: what to wear, what to expect, and how to recognize a good riding school.
6 min readWhat arthritis is, why bone spavin is the best-known form, the warning signs, and how to keep an arthritic horse working through exercise and a plan.
6 min readHow to judge hay quality by color, smell, and feel, what to check with haylage, and when a forage analysis is worth doing.
6 min readHow to recognize Cushing's disease (PPID) in an older horse, how the vet makes the diagnosis, and how to manage daily feed and laminitis prevention.
6 min readWhat EMS is, how to recognize the signs, how it differs from Cushing's, and why weight loss and management are the real treatment.
6 min readWhy insects do more damage than you would think, which protection fits which situation, from fly mask to sweet itch sheet, and when to call the vet.
5 min readHow to recognize gastric ulcers (EGUS) in your horse, which stable and feeding factors cause them, and what management can prevent.
6 min readHow to recognize heat stress in your horse, why plenty of cold water is the best first aid, and how to plan hot days around riding, turnout, and transport.
5 min readHow to recognize a hoof abscess by sudden lameness, a warm hoof, and throbbing pain, what to do yourself, and when to call the vet.
5 min readHow to introduce a new horse to the herd step by step: settling-in period, meeting over the fence, joining the group — and when to step in.
6 min readWhat being in heat means for mares, what behavior is normal during the cycle, how to handle it in training and competition, and when to call the vet.
6 min readWhat the navicular region is, why the term covers several conditions, the signs to watch for, and how to manage it with vet and farrier.
6 min readWhen a physiotherapist, osteopath, or chiropractor can help your horse, why the vet always comes first, and how to recognize a good practitioner.
6 min readHow to judge whether it's time, what to arrange around euthanasia, and why grieving a horse deserves serious attention.
6 min readWhat weaving, wind-sucking and stall-walking are, why punishing or blocking them doesn't work, and how movement, forage and company reduce it.
6 min readWhy stall rest is prescribed, why it's hard on a horse, and how to limit stress, stomach issues, and boredom until it can move again.
6 min readToxic plants for horses — ragwort, yew, sycamore maple, acorns — where the danger lies, how to prevent it, and what to do if you suspect poisoning.
6 min readGetting back on after a fall: check yourself and the horse for injury, then take the step back into the saddle.
5 min readHow to use the body condition score and a weigh tape to judge whether your horse is too fat or too thin, and adjust its weight gradually.
6 min readWhat changes as your horse ages — from coat and weight issues to Cushing's disease (PPID), dental care, and an adjusted care routine.
5 min readRecognize colic from your horse's behavior, judge how serious it is, and know exactly when to call the vet — a practical triage guide.
5 min readBald patches, scabs, and lumps: how to tell common horse skin problems apart and know when to call the vet.
6 min readWhat daily horse care involves — feeding, water, stall, turnout, and checks, in a fixed routine that's easy to keep up.
4 min readWhen and how often to deworm a horse, why fecal egg counts are replacing fixed schedules, and how to prevent resistance.
5 min readA watery or squinting eye, or a horse shaking its head: how to read the signals, what to do yourself, and when to call the vet.
5 min readHow to adjust your horse's ration for harder work: forage as the base, dosing concentrate feed, and when a supplement is actually worth it.
5 min readHow to help a new horse settle calmly into its stable, herd and rider — feed, health and routine in the first weeks.
5 min readHow often the farrier should come, what trimming and shoeing cost, and how a fixed hoof routine helps prevent lameness.
5 min readHow often to have your horse's teeth checked, what floating involves, and which eating or bit problems point to a dental issue.
5 min readWhat belongs in a first aid kit for your horse, and how to assess, clean, and bandage a wound until the vet arrives.
5 min readWhen your horse needs leg protection, which type serves which purpose, and why fitting it wrong can do more harm than good.
5 min readWhat normal horse manure looks like, what unusual color, consistency, or diarrhea can mean, and when to call the vet.
5 min readWhen a supplement is worth it and when it isn't — joint supplements, electrolytes, and the rest, with a clear-eyed look at the claims.
6 min readHow to transport a horse safely: choosing a trailer or truck, calm loading, securing it well, smooth driving, and building up the first ride.
6 min readWhich vaccinations your horse needs, how often to repeat them, and the influenza requirement the KNHS sets for competing.
5 min readHow to work out how much hay and concentrate feed your horse needs per day, based on its weight and the work it does.
5 min readHow to build a ration around forage, match concentrates to workload, and prevent colic and overweight with gradual feed changes.
5 min readHow to recognize an irregular gait, locate the sore leg, judge how serious it is, and know when to call the vet right away.
6 min readHow to recognize laminitis in horses, what to do during an acute attack, and how to reduce the risk in spring.
5 min readHow young talents handle performance pressure, selection stress, and motivation, and when a sports psychologist or coach is a good idea.
6 min readMud fever causes scabs and swollen lower legs that are easy to spot but slow to clear. Here's how to treat it and stop it coming back.
4 min readWhy your first riding lessons leave you sore in places you didn't expect, whether that's normal, and when to slow down.
5 min readHow manure removal, pasture rotation, and targeted deworming keep parasite pressure low on your pasture — without deworming more than necessary.
5 min readHow to protect your sport horse's body as training intensity rises: buildup, footing, recovery, and the early signs of a tendon injury.
5 min readHow to recognize colic and other acute emergencies in your horse in time, what to do yourself, and when to call the vet immediately.
5 min readWhat coughing and labored breathing can mean, which signs to take seriously, and how to reduce dust in the stable.
5 min readHow young elite riders avoid overtraining — managing training load, building in recovery, and returning sensibly to training after an injury.
6 min readWhat protection you need on a horse, which certification marks matter for a riding helmet and body protector, and when an airbag vest is worth it.
5 min readHow to tell if your saddle fits, which signals point to a poor fit, and when to call in a saddle fitter or vet.
5 min readWhen to clip a horse, when a blanket is needed, and how to adjust seasonal care for coat, sweat, and weather.
5 min readHow to set up a healthy horse stable — bedding, ventilation, mucking out and hygiene that protect the airways, hooves and skin.
5 min readHow professionals stay in equestrian sport for years without burning out, by organizing recovery, rhythm, and support.
4 min readWhat sweet itch is, how to recognize it, and how to manage the itch with rugs, shelter, and skin care through summer.
5 min readHow to recognize a thickened tendon or warm leg after exercise, what to do right away, and why recovering from a tendon injury takes so much patience.
6 min readHow much turnout a horse needs, how to build it up safely, and which spring risks to avoid with turnout and outdoor living.
5 min readWhat veterinary care is routine for a horse of your own — vaccination schedule, tailored deworming, and the annual dental check.
4 min readHow to judge whether your horse's complaint can wait or is an emergency, what to report by phone, and what a vet visit costs.
5 min readWhen buying your own pony makes sense, why well-behaved beats pretty, how to choose the right size, and what to expect after the purchase — a guide for parents.
6 min readHow a horse auction runs from catalogue to sale, which costs come on top of the hammer price, and why the burden of due diligence falls on you.
6 min readWhat's involved in a cross-border purchase: viewing at a distance, the on-site vetting, the contract, paperwork, transport, and the total costs.
6 min readWhat studbook papers and predicates like Ster, Keur, and PROK mean when you're buying a horse — and what they don't guarantee.
6 min readHow a pre-purchase exam works, what clinical and X-ray checks cover, what it costs, and how to read the results.
6 min readHow to insure against damage your horse causes: when your AVP is enough, when a separate liability policy makes sense, and which gray areas to ask about.
5 min readWhich insurance matters on someone else's horse: your liability policy and its custody clause, accident cover, and a co-riding contract.
5 min readHow to insure a horse trailer or truck: what the car's liability covers, when hull coverage makes sense, and how the horse is covered en route.
5 min readHow riders in Belgium get insured: the familiale policy, what club membership covers, and which standalone horse insurance policies exist.
5 min readWhy temperament and training matter more than breed for a beginner rider, with an overview of cold-blood, warmblood, and hot-blood types.
5 min readThe less-discussed downsides of owning a horse: the time commitment, financial risks, and emotional weight, for anyone considering a purchase.
5 min readHow to choose a riding school or Landelijke Rijvereniging in Flanders to learn to ride, and what lessons cost roughly.
5 min readCo-rider, care horse, half-board, or lease: how to ride more cheaply and gain experience without owning a horse, and how to find a spot.
5 min readPhysical and behavioral signs that can point to neglect or poor welfare when you go to view a horse, and what to do about them.
5 min readWhat sponsors exist in equestrian sport, how deals are typically structured, and what's realistic at your level.
5 min readWhich equipment to get for your first horse, what can wait, and where you can sensibly cut costs.
5 min readHow to build or improve a riding arena and stable floor — layers, materials, drainage, and realistic costs for a surface that lasts for years.
6 min readA focused search for a more competitive horse — what to look for in talent, health, and the match with your own level and ambition.
6 min readHow to get a horse that can handle the level without buying everything yourself — purchase, loan, sponsor horse, and the costs, all in one place.
5 min readHow to choose a saddle that fits both your horse and you, what saddle fitting costs, and how to prevent back problems from a poorly fitting saddle.
5 min readWhat a competition day in equestrian sport costs — entry fees, transport, fuel, and incidental costs — and what that adds to your monthly horse budget.
5 min readWhat a talent year in equestrian sport costs — boarding, training, competitions, transport, and what you cover yourself versus what support brings in.
5 min readAn annual budget for serious competitive riding — what a season costs on top of fixed horse-keeping expenses: training, competitions, equipment, transport.
6 min readHow much time a horse of your own takes each day — from a few hours a week at a boarding stable to several hours a day when kept at home.
5 min readWhen do you train your horse yourself, and when do you send it to a professional? Weighing cost, time, and results.
6 min readHow to find and assess a reliable boarding stable — what to look for on a visit, which questions to ask, and which signals should raise alarm bells.
6 min readHow young riders land their first equipment or cash sponsor: what sponsors look for, how to approach them, and what's realistic.
4 min readSharing costs and time with a half-boarder or exercise rider — the agreements you make about days, money, care, and liability, and what belongs in writing.
5 min readHow a growing horse business hires grooms or an instructor: employment or freelance, the tax pitfalls, and what to arrange beforehand.
5 min readFull board, half-board and keeping a horse at home compared on money, time and control — with realistic monthly costs and when each option pays off.
5 min readHow to build a financially sound business plan for a horse business — investment, operations, revenue, and the numbers a bank wants to see.
6 min readThe main lines of VAT rates and tax for boarding, training, teaching, and horse trading — and where the boundaries lie.
6 min readWhich horse insurance policies make sense once you own a horse — from liability to covering colic and surgery costs.
5 min readWhich VAT rate and scheme apply to boarding, teaching, and horse trading — the outline for anyone starting a stable or business.
5 min readWhich type of horse trailer suits you, what buying versus renting costs, and what to check when buying — from the floor and brakes to inspection and insurance.
6 min readWhat it takes to train young horses yourself and resell them at a profit — the numbers, the risks, and when it pays off.
6 min readWhich insurance a riding school, livery yard, or training business needs — from business liability (AVB) to transport and staff.
5 min readWhen horse trading or teaching becomes a business, whether you need to register with the KvK, and which business structure and tax rules apply.
6 min readHow a stable or riding school attracts more students and ranks better online, without hiring an expensive marketing agency.
5 min readFor heavier beginners: whether a weight limit for horse riding exists, where it comes from, and how to find a riding school and horse that fit.
5 min readWhen a rider is ready to move from pony to horse, how age and height factor in, and what the switch costs.
5 min readStarting out as a self-employed riding instructor: choosing a niche, setting your rate, and standing out in a market full of generalists.
5 min readBuilding a defensible pricing structure for lessons, training, and boarding — calculated from your costs and capacity instead of guessed.
6 min readA realistic checklist for deciding whether owning your own horse is a sound move — money, time, experience, and life stage covered.
5 min readHow to build a sponsorship proposal and media kit, which reach and exposure numbers to include, and what a brand actually wants to see.
5 min readHow to buy and sell horses within the law and with a healthy margin: business structure, purchase contract, conformity, VAT, and risk management.
6 min readWhich legal structure fits a training or trading stable, which permits you need, and how to arrange animal welfare and liability.
5 min readWhat taking over a stable or riding school involves: valuation, client base, permits, and the paperwork to check beforehand.
6 min readWhat to do if your first horse doesn't fit — understand the mismatch and choose between retraining, half-board, or selling responsibly.
5 min readWhat manege, ruiterschool, and hippisch centrum mean in the Netherlands, and how to choose where to sign up for your first riding lessons.
4 min readWhich riding gear beginners need first, what it costs, and what the riding school or time still lets you put off.
5 min readWhich purchases actually affect your riding and your horse, and where paying more buys comfort or style rather than performance.
4 min readA practical guide to buying your first horse — where to look, what a pre-purchase vetting involves, and the most common beginner mistakes.
7 min readHow much does horse riding or owning a horse cost per month? Realistic 2026 prices for lessons, half-board and ownership in the Netherlands and Belgium.
5 min readOutside public roads, the land manager decides where you can ride. How bridle paths, permits, and beach rules work, and how to find legal routes.
6 min readWhich licenses Paardensport Vlaanderen offers, roughly what they cost, and how to apply for a startkaart through your club.
5 min readHow mandatory horse registration in Belgium works through HorseID: who must register, what gets recorded, and the key deadlines.
5 min readWhat an FNRS ruiterbewijs (riding certificate) involves, why it's useful for recreational riders, and how it differs from a KNHS start permit.
5 min readHow hot can it be when you transport a horse? The current limit, the new 30-degree limit from 1 April 2027, and tips to prevent heat stress.
4 min readDo you need to register to transport your own horse? Usually not. What's required, when it counts as 'commercial,' and what to bring. For NL and BE.
5 min readThe practical pitfalls that get dressage and show jumping riders eliminated, and how to avoid them on a normal competition day.
5 min readHow to apply for LOOT status, arrange a flexible school schedule, and sustain the combination of elite sport and school.
5 min readHow the Belgian competition system works — KBRSF, Paardensport Vlaanderen, and the LEWB — and what a Dutch rider must arrange to start.
6 min readWhat competing more often and farther afield involves: the right driving license, transport, planning, and stabling at the show.
6 min readWhat you and your horse must wear at a KNHS competition — clothing, bridle, bit, spurs, and whip by discipline and class.
5 min readHow to draft boarding, lesson and stabling agreements as a yard operator that clearly set out payment, responsibility and liability.
7 min readHow to keep competing in elite sport after 18 alongside study or work — pay-per-credit tuition, elite-sport arrangements, and clear agreements.
6 min readChildren, Juniors, and Young Riders: the exact age limits per category, what changes in your transition year, and where you're allowed to start.
5 min readHow the FEI youth categories and their dressage tests work, and what your first international start as a junior or Young Rider involves.
5 min readWhat you need administratively and logistically for your first international competition: FEI registration, passport, transport, customs, and prize money.
6 min readWhat belongs in a boarding contract for a horse at a boarding yard, and how liability is divided between the owner and the yard operator.
6 min readHow to put a co-riding, half-board, or lease arrangement for your horse in writing — who pays what, who's liable, and what the contract covers.
5 min readHow liability for damage caused by your horse works in the Netherlands, when you're on the hook, and which insurance covers it.
5 min readWhat paperwork follows a horse purchase — transferring the passport, the chip, and mandatory registration with the studbook and RVO.
5 min readWhich registration is legally required for your horse, how the microchip works, and what the food-chain page in the passport means.
5 min readWhat to put in a purchase contract and what protection you have against hidden defects — the difference between buying privately and buying from a dealer.
5 min readWhich competitions count toward selection in dressage, show jumping, and eventing, and how to present yourself best to the selection committee.
6 min readHow to enter a KNHS competition: find the show, choose the right section, register, pay, and withdraw on time if needed.
4 min readWhich rules apply when transporting horses to Germany, France, or farther: passport, health certificate, TRACES, and transporter's licenses.
6 min readMembership belongs to the federation, the startbewijs to you as a rider, and the startpas to your horse — what the difference is and what you need.
5 min readHow the KNHS points system works: how you earn winstpunten (promotion points), how many you need, and when you're promoted to the next class.
4 min readWhat you need to compete for the first time, how to apply for the KNHS start permit (startbewijs), and roughly what it costs.
5 min readHow a talent day or observation session in equestrian sport unfolds, what the selection committee looks for, and how to calmly show what you've got.
6 min readHow the KNHS youth squad tiers are structured, what the selection moments are, and how young riders get noticed by national coaches.
6 min readWhat class, results, and age you need for selection to a KNHS youth team in dressage, show jumping, or eventing — and where to find exact criteria.
6 min readWhen a riding school, stable or trainer is liable if a horse injures a client or third party, and how to limit that risk.
6 min readWhich riding instructor qualifications in the Netherlands matter for credibility, insurance, and teaching access — and how the levels differ.
6 min readWhich traffic rules and gear apply when you take your horse on public roads, and how to approach a trail ride safely.
5 min readHow to limit a horse stable's fire risk — from hay storage and electrical wiring to an evacuation plan that holds up under pressure.
6 min readWhich driver's license you need to tow a horse trailer, how to calculate the permitted weight, and where the category B limit lies.
6 min readThe unwritten social codes at a horse show: how to behave in the warm-up arena, at the ring, and around judges and volunteers.
5 min readWhat para-dressage is, how classification into five grades keeps the sport fair, which aids are allowed, and how to get started.
6 min readWhat a musical freestyle is, how to choose music that fits your horse's gaits, and how to build a floor plan that scores well.
6 min readHow to train strength, rhythm, and jumping technique with poles and grid exercises — with guideline distances for walk, trot, and canter.
6 min readWhat suppleness means, how to tell if your horse is moving over its back, and how to ride tension out of your training.
5 min readThe difference between flexion and bend, how to ask for both with inside leg and outside rein, and the mistakes that ruin a turn.
5 min readWhy transitions between and within the gaits train balance, hindquarters, and attention all at once, and how to ride them better step by step.
5 min readHow Paardensport Vlaanderen ranks dressage and show jumping into levels, how promotion works, and how it differs from the Dutch B-to-ZZ ladder.
5 min readThe mistakes that most often cost points in a dressage test — from imprecise riding to the letter to too little collection — each with a fix.
5 min readThe letters around the dressage arena and the basic school figures explained, from the volte to changing rein.
5 min readWhat endurance riding involves, how to build your horse's fitness, and how to approach a first ride of roughly 25 to 40 km.
5 min readHow to get started with eventing in the Netherlands or Belgium — what it demands, and how to build up cross-country safely.
5 min readWhat makes gaited horses different from ordinary riding horses, how the Icelandic horse's tölt feels, and why the breed suits beginners.
5 min readWhat equestrian vaulting is, why it can be a great first step for children, and how to find a vaulting group near you.
5 min readWhat TREC is, how a competition is structured, and why this trail-riding sport is accessible to a wide range of horses and riders.
5 min readWhat makes western riding different from dressage and show jumping, and how reining works as a competition discipline.
5 min readWhat working equitation is, where the discipline comes from, and what a competition involves — an introduction to a lesser-known discipline.
5 min readWhat shoulder-in, travers, and half-pass are, what these lateral movements train, and in what order you build them.
5 min readLearning carriage driving: where to find lessons, what a single hitch and harness involve, and how a competition with dressage, cones, and marathon works.
5 min readWhat mounted games (pony games) involves, how a competition works, and why it's an accessible entry sport for children and youth.
5 min readWhat being on the bit means, how to get your horse riding with contact, and the mistakes that break that connection.
5 min readWhat piaffe, passage, and pirouette actually are, why they rely on collection, and how the training toward them unfolds over years.
5 min readHow to shorten lines, cut corners, and pace your canter in a jump-off to gain time without losing your clear round.
5 min readHow to teach the flying change, and how to fix a horse that changes late behind.
5 min readHow to use the warm-up area to get your horse supple, alert, and on the aids into the ring — for dressage and show jumping separately.
5 min readNot selected for the youth team? How to keep perspective — other routes, your own development, and progressing without a talent program.
6 min readThe differences between show jumping, dressage, and eventing — what each discipline asks of you and your horse, and how to choose.
5 min readAn overview of talent programs for young riders in the Netherlands — KNHS squads, studbook programs, and regional pathways, and how to apply.
4 min readHow the KNHS class system works and which class you ride your first competition in — B for show jumping, L or B for dressage.
4 min readHow young riders prepare for a regional or national championship, what makes the day different from a regular show, and how to perform calmly.
6 min readA complete checklist for your first show — paperwork, clothing, horse gear, and food — so you forget nothing on the day.
5 min readWhat outdoor and indoor mean in equestrian sport, and how the competition year moves from summer to winter season.
5 min readHow to structure a competition year to earn promotion points and move up a class at a steady, sustainable pace.
5 min readWhat parents can do to support a young rider in equestrian sport, where your role ends, and how to keep the balance with school and money workable.
6 min read