Anyone who ranks among the best in their age group can, at some point, become eligible for a talent program. Several routes exist side by side — through the federation, through the studbooks, and at regional level — and they don't rule each other out. This guide lists the types of programs and describes how applying and selection usually work.
Which Types of Programs Exist
Talent development in equestrian sport is built up in layers. Broadly speaking, there are three types of programs, each serving a different purpose.
| Type | Who organizes it | What it targets |
|---|---|---|
| Federation squads and youth teams | KNHS (the Dutch equestrian federation), per discipline | Progression to national and international youth championships |
| Studbook and breeding programs | KWPN (the Dutch warmblood studbook) and other studbooks | Development of young horses and the rider-horse combination (you and your horse together) |
| Regional and provincial pathways | KNHS regions, sometimes in cooperation with provinces or clubs | Broad talent development, a stepping stone to federation level |
Most riders start at the bottom — a regional pathway or a talent day — and move up through selections into a federation squad. So it's rarely a matter of picking one program, but of knowing which layer fits your current level.
KNHS Squads and Youth Teams
The KNHS (Koninklijke Nederlandse Hippische Sportfederatie, the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation) organizes talent development and youth teams per discipline (dressage, show jumping, eventing, driving, vaulting, and para-dressage). This is the route that leads toward the official youth championships, at pony, junior, and Young Rider level.
Selection usually runs through:
- Competition results — you compete at a set level and achieve results at selection trials or championships.
- Selection moments and clinics — observers assess you during designated competitions or training days.
- Nomination — a region, trainer, or national coach puts you forward.
The exact entry criteria, age limits, and application deadlines differ by discipline and by year. They're listed on knhs.nl under talent development and elite sport. Expect that for most squads you already need to compete at a fixed level before you come into view; an application without supporting results rarely leads anywhere.
Studbook and Breeding Programs
Alongside the federation, the studbooks run their own programs, the best known being the KWPN (Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland, the Royal Dutch Warmblood studbook). These programs focus more strongly on the young horse and on the rider-horse combination, not just on the rider. Think of pathways for developing promising young dressage or show jumping horses, often with guidance, training days, and sometimes their own competition circuit.
For anyone riding a talented young horse, such a program can be more valuable than a purely rider-focused squad. Applications go through the studbook itself; criteria usually revolve around the horse's pedigree and aptitude, its age, and the combination's level. Check the relevant studbook's website for the current conditions.
Regional and Provincial Pathways
Below national level, many KNHS regions offer their own talent pathways, squad days, or selection teams. This is often the practical first step: the threshold is lower than for a national squad, and it's a logical stepping stone before you're considered for a federation team.
These pathways are also the easiest to find through your own club or regional board. An instructor or regional coordinator usually knows which selection days are coming up and whether your level and results fit.
How to Apply
The application process differs by program, but roughly follows the same steps:
- Determine your layer. If you're still competing at regional level, look at a regional pathway first. If you consistently achieve results at a fixed national level, a federation squad or studbook program is more realistic.
- Check the current criteria. Level, age, discipline, and application deadline are listed on the organizer's website — knhs.nl for federation squads, the studbook's site for breeding programs.
- Gather your supporting evidence. Competition results, your startpas (the horse's competition record), and possibly a nomination from your trainer or region.
- Apply through the right channel. That's usually an online form or registration with the organizing party, not with Stalwijs.
- Keep your calendar free for selection moments. Many programs follow up an application with a selection day, clinic, or assessment at a competition.
How to Choose What Fits
A few rules of thumb help when comparing:
- Is it about the rider or the horse? Federation squads focus on you as a rider and on championship goals; studbook programs revolve more around developing a young horse.
- What's your current level? Start at the layer that matches your results. Moving up is always possible; starting too high rarely works.
- What does it cost in time, money, and travel? Talent programs often demand extra training, competitions, and travel. Weigh that against school or work — a recurring theme at Level: Talent Pathway.
- What does your trainer say? An experienced instructor knows the routes and can judge whether an application is realistic now or better left for another season.
Not sure about terms like startpas, the class system, or a selection trial? Check the glossary terms for this level. For the current entry criteria and application deadlines, knhs.nl or the relevant studbook's website remains the authoritative source — these change by discipline and by season.
See also: Level: Talent Pathway · Glossary for this level