National Dressage Championships 2026 in Ermelo: Buyer's and Seller's Guide for Dressage Horses

The National Dressage Championships 2026, held from May 28th to 31st, will draw all eyes to Ermelo. For anyone looking to buy or sell a dressage horse around this time, these championships are more than just a top-level sporting weekend — they represent a prime market opportunity that you can actively leverage. In this article, we translate the National Dressage Championships 2026 into concrete actions for buyers and sellers of sport horses.

National Dressage Championships 2026 at a Glance

The National Dressage Championships 2026 will take place at the National Equestrian Centre in Ermelo, the epicentre of the Dutch dressage calendar. In addition to the senior titles in ZZ-Zwaar, Small Tour, and Grand Prix, Para-Dressage and the youth categories Children, Juniors, Young Riders, and U25 will also be in action.

The event falls in the middle of the Week of the Horse (May 23rd-31st, 2026), meaning visitor numbers at and around the NEC location will be higher than during an average championship. For the dressage horse market, this means: a high concentration of buyers, trainers, riders, judges, and stables in one weekend.

• Date: Thursday, May 28th to Sunday, May 31st, 2026
• Location: National Equestrian Centre, Ermelo
• Categories: ZZ-Zwaar, Small Tour, Grand Prix, Para-Dressage, plus youth (Children, Juniors, Young Riders, U25)
• Start Lists: online since May 26th via nk-dressuur.nl
• Tickets: early birds benefited from a discount via KNHS

Why These Championships Are Relevant for Dressage Horse Buyers

See Live What a Horse Is Truly Capable Of

Four days of a bustling NEC mean you can observe dozens of dressage horses consecutively in a demanding competition environment. No sales video, no show clinic — but focused horses in an unfamiliar location with an audience, noise, and pressure. That's precisely the test situation you want to see as a buyer before investing in a dressage horse.

Create a short checklist for your visit:

• Which combinations move relaxed despite the competition tension?
• Which horses show quality in transitions, not just in the pronounced movements?
• Which riders and stables ride multiple horses? This is often a good entry point for an exploratory conversation.

Bloodlines and Studbooks That Define the Scene

The selections clearly show the direction of Dutch dressage breeding. For those looking to buy a KWPN dressage horse, the bloodlines that stand out at the National Championships are often the same lines that will break through in upcoming foal books. At the National Championships, specifically follow:

• Which sire and dam lines in the Small Tour are progressing towards Grand Prix level.
• Which young riders in Children, Juniors, and U25 are riding striking horses — often an indicator of talented 5- to 8-year-olds that will enter the sales market within 12 months.
• Which breeders and stables appear multiple times on the results list.

Practical Tips for Buyers On-Site

• Create a shortlist beforehand based on the start lists.
• Plan for at least two consecutive days — evaluating dressage horses requires repetition, not a one-shot impression.
• Preferably exchange your observations with an independent trainer or rider, not with the seller themselves.
• Combine a National Championships visit with online research on dressage horses for sale at Sporthorses, so you can directly link faces from the National Championships to available offerings.

Why These Championships Are Relevant for Dressage Horse Sellers

A National Championships Result Is Proof — Use It Wisely

A good National Championships performance by a horse, a direct relative, or a horse from the same stable almost immediately increases the market value of comparable dressage horses in your stable. For sellers, this means: make sure you are prepared this week to link that proof to your advertisement.

Specifically:

1. Check which of your horses or your related lines are competing from Thursday to Sunday.
2. Ensure your advertisement on Sporthorses is up-to-date, with sharp photos and a working video link.
3. Update the text as soon as the results are known — for example, a half-sibling who placed, or a sire who was mentioned in the Grand Prix tour.

What to Document During and After the National Championships

The sales value of a dressage horse is largely determined by verifiable performance and origin data. During the National Championships weekend, you can relatively easily collect valuable sales material:

• Official results with date, class, and judges — use directly in your advertisement text.
• Short clips of warm-up or cool-down (with permission) show the horse in a sport setting; these images convert better in advertisements than stable or arena videos.
• Signed statements from the rider or trainer about the horse's progress leading up to the National Championships.

Visibility for Stables Not Competing Themselves

Even if your horse is not competing, you can use the weekend to draw attention to your offerings. Place a renewed advertisement for your dressage horses before May 28th, so your listing stands out prominently in the organic search results of buyers who are searching in National Championships mode. On Sporthorses, you will reach not only Dutch buyers but also international dressage enthusiasts through its global reach.

Programme and Top Names to Follow

On Thursday, May 28th, the first tests begin at 10:00 AM. The finals in Grand Prix, Small Tour, and ZZ-Zwaar will follow during the weekend, with the main rounds traditionally on Saturday and Sunday. The youth categories and Para-Dressage are scheduled throughout the days. The most current schedule can be found on the official programme page.

In the Grand Prix, names like Dinja van Liere, Marieke van der Putten, Marlies van Baalen, and Hans Peter Minderhoud are mentioned. In the ZZ-Zwaar, Adelinde Cornelissen, Kirsten Brouwer, Renate van Uytert, and Diederik van Silfhout are among those competing. In the Small Tour, Hans Peter Minderhoud and Febe van Zwambagt are on the start list, among others. For the most current and complete list of participants per class, consult the official start lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are the National Dressage Championships 2026?

The National Dressage Championships 2026 will take place from Thursday, May 28th to Sunday, May 31st, 2026, at the National Equestrian Centre in Ermelo.

Which classes will be ridden at the National Dressage Championships 2026?

In 2026, ZZ-Zwaar, Small Tour, Grand Prix, and Para-Dressage are on the programme, supplemented by the youth championships Children, Juniors, Young Riders, and U25.

Where can I find the start lists for the National Dressage Championships?

The official start lists and results are available online at nk-dressuur.nl and have been accessible since May 26th, 2026.

How can I buy tickets for the National Dressage Championships 2026?

Tickets are available through KNHS channels; early bookers benefited from an early bird discount. On the event page, you will find current availability and KNHS member discounts.

How do I use the National Dressage Championships as a buyer of a dressage horse?

Create a shortlist beforehand based on the start lists, plan at least two days, observe transitions and competition temperament, and link your observations directly to the current dressage horse offerings on Sporthorses.

What do I do as a seller around the National Dressage Championships?

Ensure your advertisement is up-to-date this week, add a verifiable National Championships fact where possible (your own horse, related line, or stablemate), and use short competition clips as social proof in your listing.

Ready to Buy or Sell Your Dressage Horse?

Whether you're walking along the arenas in Ermelo this coming weekend or following from home: use the National Championships momentum to make your next move concrete. View the current dressage horse offerings on Sporthorses or place your advertisement, so you connect with the buyer interest that peaks this week.