At its first team selection trial on 21 - 23 April 2026, the KWPN breeding society has selected 52 horses that are eligible to move on to the second round of three for Dutch representation at the 2026 World Young Horse Championships in Verden in August.
The first trial was held over two days and the selection committee, which included Johan Hamminga, Alex van Silfhout and Janine van Twist, assessed more than 80 five-, six- and seven-year-old dressage horses.
“We had two absolutely lovely days,” said Johan Hamminga enthusiastically. “The weather was fine and there was a lovely, friendly atmosphere. In all three age categories, we saw horses with great potential, which were also ridden well and performed a good test. The test is quite challenging, especially for the seven-year-olds, but we had some lovely horses in the arena.”
The bar is set high at the World Championships in Verden, not only in terms of quality, but also in terms of training and harmony. “Riders are increasingly aware of what is required, and on average the riding was good," Hamminga continued. "The technical aspect of the dressage is improving all the time; there has certainly been an upward trend in recent years. In the initial selection process, we first look at the quality of both the rider and the horse, but we also assess the technical aspects of the dressage.”
The selected horses for round two are:
5-year olds
- Dante’s Empire (by Dante Weltino) - Moisés Jover Azuar
- Lord Charmeur (by Lord Europe) - Janina Tietze
- Pepijn van het Brabantshof (by Boet 516) - Shannon van Manen
- Radetsky H (by Lennox U.S.) - Cynthia Eggenkamp
- Ratina-Ray (by Fürst Dior) - Demy Kurstjens
- Ready to Rumble (by Le Formidable) - Saskia Poel
- Real Dream (by Dynamic Dream) - Charlotte Fry (pictured)
- Red Rock (vby Mowgli V.O.D.) - Geertje Hoogendoorn
- Rendez-Vous (by Kjento) - Moisés Jover Azuar
- Renzo (by Kjento) - Charlotte Fry
- Rituals De La Fazenda (by Magnum De La Fazenda) - Thalia Rockx
- Rivivi Litchy US (by Liamant W) - Moisés Jover Azuar
- Robijn Vda (by Vitalis) - Cynthia Eggenkamp
- Rockstar (by Le Formidable) - Saskia Poel
- Rockstar Millionaire (by D’Avie) - Cynthia Eggenkamp
- Roebel (by Romanov) - Kim Noordijk
- Roller-Coaster DH (by ohnny Depp) - Rosa Vlaar
- Rose-Bel Taonga (by Kjento) - Franka Loos
- Roseville (by Monte Carlo TC) - Jesslin Vinkesteijn
- Royal Esther Svn (by Toto Jr) - Danielle Heijkoop
- Rubinella Dh (by Jameson ) - Isabel Lienesch
- Rufus Van ’T Houtsche (by Jameson) - Lotje Schoots
6-year olds
- Fiji (by For Romance) - Kim Alting
- Franzmann (by Fürstenball) - Beatrice Arturi
- Mattie P Fan Dulve (by Pier 448) - Danielle Heijkoop
- Oege van Cayenne Stables (by Yme 507) - Zoë Kuintjes
- Panamera (by Vivaldi) - Astrid Langeberg
- Paulo WM (by Kjento) - Marieke Cobben
- Perfect Ritme (by ord Europe) - Kim Noordijk
- Pina Colada (by Governor) - Kirsten Brouwer
- Pitch Perfect (by Le Formidable) - Vai Bruntink
- Pjethro (vby Kjento) - Charlotte Fry
- Plenza (by Kensington) - Daria Sushchinskaya
- Prada ND (by Kjento) - Lieke Knook
- Prosecco TC (by Joop TC) - Lennart Bos
- Puy du Fou (by Donier) - Sophie Welmers
- Pythagoras Wk (by All at Once) - Franka Loos
- Roman Empire (by Romanov) - Bart Veeze
- Tie Break (by Toto Jr) - Leonie Richter
7-year olds
- Hexagon’s Oprahmanda (by Diamond Hit) - Tessa Kole
- Jedokus Hof (by Nane 492) - Bennie van Es
- O Curro (by Havanna II) - Marijke van Schaik
- Oberon (by Kensington) - Daria Sushchinskaya
- Obredho (by Johnson) - Brecht D’Hoore
- Obsession Taonga (by Vitalis) - Lara van Nek
- Ocarl (by Toto Jr) - Thalia Rockx
- Odi Murona (by Blue Hors Farrell) - Tessa Kole
- Oliviera 3 (by Sezuan’s Donnerhall) - Marina Welbers
- Olympia W (by Ebony) - Vai Bruntink
- Ortisei (by Toto Jr) - Julia Groenhart
- O’Toto van de Wimphof (by Toto Jr) - Diederik van Silfhout
- Ozstralis Cottinglee (by Sir Donnerhall) - Kirsten Brouwer
The second selection will take place in Delft on 26 and 27 May; these dates have been changed due to a clash with the Dutch Dressage Championships. In addition to the selected horses, a number of pairs who were absent from the first selection will be present, provided they have a certificate. They will have the opportunity to present themselves to the selection committee during the second selection, provided they submit a video presentation in advance. The second selection is also the entry point for the wildcards. On 22 June, the best twelve horses from each age group will return to Ermelo for the final selection round.
Photo © Timo Martis
Related Link
Participants for the First Dutch WCYH Team Selection Trial of 2026