Week of the Horse 2026 (May 23-31): What Sport Horse Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

Week of the Horse 2026, in brief

From May 23 to May 31, 2026, the KNHS (Royal Dutch Equestrian Sports Federation) is organising the Week of the Horse: nine days dedicated to equestrian sports across the Netherlands. For anyone looking to buy or sell a sport horse, this is one of the busiest public events of the year. In this guide, we outline what's happening, which new events are being added, and how to strategically leverage this week.

What is the Week of the Horse 2026?

The Week of the Horse is an initiative by the KNHS to bring the equestrian sector to the broad attention of the public. According to the official announcement on knhs.nl, the 2026 edition runs from Friday, May 23, to Saturday, May 31.

The week kicks off with the KNHS Horse Festival on May 23 and 24. This is followed by various activities organised by equestrian businesses throughout the country: open days, guided tours, demonstrations, and drop-in sessions. The full agenda will be centrally compiled on the KNHS campaign website.

Weekend of the Horse and Open Horse Days (May 30-31, 2026)

Within the Week of the Horse, you'll find the Weekend of the Horse, an initiative by the Equestrian Sector Council. On Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, 2026, equestrian businesses will open their doors to the public during the Open Horse Days. The FNRS (Federation of Dutch Equestrian Stables) coordinates this weekend for its members.

What can you expect to see? According to the FNRS announcement, not only riding schools but also livery yards, rearing stables, and training stables will open their doors. Visitors can experience:

• how horses are kept and cared for;
• how the bond between humans and horses is built;
• what activities are possible with horses, from grooming to groundwork and riding.

The programme varies per stable and region. Specific participants will be published on openpaardendagen.nl.

Why is this relevant for sport horse buyers?

For those seeking a sport horse, whether for dressage, show jumping, eventing, or all-round disciplines, the Week of the Horse offers three concrete advantages.

See horses in neutral settings

At open days and demonstrations, you can observe sport horses in action without being directly in a sales situation. This provides a more honest impression of temperament, type, and technique than a trial ride specifically prepared for you.

Visit stables and breeders in one week

Many sport horse businesses schedule demonstrations or drop-in sessions during this week. With good planning, you can visit multiple potential candidates in one weekend, saving weeks of individual appointments.

More direct contact with breeders and dealers

Open days lower the barrier to speaking with a breeder or dealer. Ask your questions, observe how the business operates, and note down the fundamental questions you'd want to ask before buying a horse anyway. Sporthorses.nl offers our beginner's guide to buying a horse for those taking this step for the first time.

Why is this relevant for sport horse sellers?

Are you selling a sport horse or pony this spring? The Week of the Horse is not a sales platform in itself, but it is a momentum you can leverage.

Prepare your advertisement now

Ensure your advertisement on a sport horse platform like Sporthorses.nl goes live by May 18-20 at the latest, so interested parties can view your horse before attending an open day. Good video, recent photos, and concrete sports results are crucial now. Sporthorses.nl also provides a comprehensive step-by-step plan for a successful sport horse sale.

Plan an open session at your stable

Are you, as a sport horse stable, participating in the Open Horse Days on May 30-31? Combine the public tour with a demonstration of your sales horses. Ensure you have a clear rider, good footing, and a concise structure (show in canter, a small jump, basic dressage) so visitors quickly get an impression.

Network strategically

Buyers, riders, and agents are more frequently visiting stables this week. Exchange contact details, ask if people want to subscribe to your newsletter, and share your current offerings. Many sales don't happen on the day itself but in the weeks that follow.

The Dutch sport horse market: what's the sentiment in 2026?

A good indicator of market sentiment is online auctions. According to horses.nl, Paardenveilingonline recorded a sales percentage of 83% in its first 2026 edition, with an average of almost €13,000 for young horses. Two horses fetched the top price of €28,000, both going to France.

The organisers themselves speak of a strong start to the season: buyers worldwide are finding the Dutch offerings appealing. For sport horse sellers, this means a well-presented, honestly advertised horse has a real chance, provided it can be seen in action and its paperwork is in order.

As a buyer, keep in mind that this price level (average €13,000 for young horses, with outliers up to €28,000) is indicative for well-bred sport horses without top-level or Grand Prix credentials. For a complete breakdown of costs associated with purchase and ownership, Sporthorses.nl features our 2026 cost guide.

Practical: how to use the week step-by-step

For buyers:

• create a shortlist of 3 to 5 sport horses from the current offerings (filter by level, age, and price range);
• check which stables are participating in open days or demonstrations during May 23-31;
• plan two days, for example, Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, to visit multiple stables;
• bring an experienced second pair of eyes, an instructor, veterinarian, or horse expert, to see the most promising candidate;
• after the visiting week, arrange your final trial ride and pre-purchase veterinary examination.

For sellers:

• publish your advertisement by May 20 at the latest with fresh photos and video;
• plan a demo or drop-in session at your stable, preferably during the Weekend of the Horse (May 30-31);
• prepare a brief written horse pass: pedigree, training, health status, achieved results;
• respond quickly to messages, as buyers will be comparing multiple horses this week;
• actively ask visitors for their contact details for follow-up.

What if your target audience isn't in the Netherlands?

The Dutch sport horse market is international: in the Paardenveilingonline figures, buyers came from over 100 countries, with a notable number of sales to France, the United States, and the United Kingdom. If you want to reach international buyers during the Week of the Horse, ensure you have:

• English text and subtitles in your video clips;
• time-zone-friendly response times (American buyers often respond in the evening, European time);
• a clear price indication and terms; international buyers are more likely to disengage if the price is "on application."

Frequently Asked Questions about the Week of the Horse 2026

When exactly is the Week of the Horse 2026?

From Friday, May 23, to Saturday, May 31, 2026.

Who organises it?

The KNHS organises the Week of the Horse. Within that week, the Equestrian Sector Council organises the Weekend of the Horse on May 30 and 31. The FNRS coordinates the Open Horse Days for riding schools, livery yards, and training stables.

Do I have to pay to visit businesses?

It varies per business. Many riding schools and stables organise free open days, while some businesses charge a small fee for clinics or demonstrations. Check the business's announcement beforehand.

Are horses sold during this week?

The Week of the Horse is not a sales auction. It is a public event. However, many sport horse businesses use this week to demonstrate sales horses to interested parties.

Take action yourself

Looking for a new sport horse or ready to sell one? On Sporthorses.nl, you'll find current sport horse offerings from the Netherlands and Europe, with a focus on dressage, show jumping, and eventing. Place your advertisement now so your horse is live before the Week of the Horse begins, or compile your shortlist to purposefully visit stables during May 23-31.

Sources: official announcements KNHS (knhs.nl), FNRS (fnrs.nl), market figures Paardenveilingonline via horses.nl, May 2026. Verified on May 15, 2026.