Headed for the top?
You're at the top of your age group and aiming for the KNHS youth team or a talent program. How do you get there, what's expected of you, what does it cost, and how do you combine it with school?
Selection trials, squad memberWhat to read here.
Buying a Horse at Auction: How It Works and What to Watch For
How 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 readEquestrian Vaulting: Gymnastics on a Horse as a Starter Discipline
What equestrian vaulting is, why it can be a great first step for children, and how to find a vaulting group near you.
5 min readMounted Games and Pony Games: An Introduction to the Fastest Team Sport on Horseback
What mounted games (pony games) involves, how a competition works, and why it's an accessible entry sport for children and youth.
5 min readWhen Selection Doesn't Work Out: Alternative Routes to the Top
Not selected for the youth team? How to keep perspective — other routes, your own development, and progressing without a talent program.
6 min readBalancing Elite Sport and School
How to apply for LOOT status, arrange a flexible school schedule, and sustain the combination of elite sport and school.
5 min readChoosing and Financing a Talent Horse
How 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 readComparing Equestrian Talent Programs
An overview of talent programs for young riders in the Netherlands — KNHS squads, studbook programs, and regional pathways, and how to apply.
4 min readWhat an Elite Sport Year Costs
What a talent year in equestrian sport costs — boarding, training, competitions, transport, and what you cover yourself versus what support brings in.
5 min readElite Sport Alongside Work or Study
How to keep competing in elite sport after 18 alongside study or work — pay-per-credit tuition, elite-sport arrangements, and clear agreements.
6 min readFEI Age Categories: Children, Juniors, Young Riders, and U25
Children, 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 readFEI Youth Tests and International Starts Explained
How the FEI youth categories and their dressage tests work, and what your first international start as a junior or Young Rider involves.
5 min readYour first championship as a young talent: preparation and what to expect
How 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 readFirst Sponsorship and Gear Deals for Young Riders
How young riders land their first equipment or cash sponsor: what sponsors look for, how to approach them, and what's realistic.
4 min readSelection Trials: Which Ones Count and How to Show Yourself
Which competitions count toward selection in dressage, show jumping, and eventing, and how to present yourself best to the selection committee.
6 min readKey National Coaches and Stables
Which 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 readThe KNHS Talent Day: What to Expect
How 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 readKNHS Youth Selection: How the Squad System Works
How the KNHS youth squad tiers are structured, what the selection moments are, and how young riders get noticed by national coaches.
6 min readKNHS Youth Team Entry Criteria by Discipline and Age
What 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 readMental Pressure and Performance Stress in Youth Elite Sport
How young talents handle performance pressure, selection stress, and motivation, and when a sports psychologist or coach is a good idea.
6 min readMoving From Pony to Horse: When and How to Make the Switch
When a rider is ready to move from pony to horse, how age and height factor in, and what the switch costs.
5 min readInjury, Recovery, and Sustainable Training for Young Riders
How young elite riders avoid overtraining — managing training load, building in recovery, and returning sensibly to training after an injury.
6 min readThe Role of Parents in Talent Development
What 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 readWhat everyone asks.
How do I get selected for the KNHS youth team?+
Selection runs through observation shows held by the national youth coach, usually in January–March. Entry criteria differ per discipline and age category — the specific points and class requirements are published yearly at knhs.nl/topsport-jeugd. Ask your instructor or regional coach to put you forward; applying yourself is possible but less common.
What does a year of elite sport realistically cost?+
Between €30,000 and €80,000 per year, excluding horse purchases. Biggest items: 2 horses (€600–€1,500 boarding/mo each), training with a top coach (€100–€200/hr, 2× per week), national shows (€2,500–€5,000), international shows (€8,000–€20,000 including transport), tack + equipment. A sponsorship rarely covers more than 30–50%.
How do I combine elite sport with school?+
LOOT status (the Dutch arrangement for elite-level student athletes) grants the right to a flexible schedule and postponed tests. Request it via your school's dean with a statement from NOC*NSF or the KNHS national coach. Many top talents choose secondary schools with a sports profile (CIOS, Topsport Talentschool) or online education (LOI, NCOI). Be realistic: graduating on time and elite sport together require a strict weekly schedule.
Amounts shown are indicative — actual rates differ per provider, region and season.
On to
for professionals.
You make your living with horses or are working toward it. Building your own stable, attracting sponsors, riding internationally, training other riders. In time, also offering yourself here as a coach for other levels.