On Tuesday 21 April and Thursday 23 April, the first selection trial for the 2026 World Championships Young Dressage Horses took place in Ermelo. The selection committee, consisting of Johan Hamminga, Alex van Silfhout and Janine van Twist, assessed more than 80 five-, six- and seven-year-old dressage horses.

“We had two very good days,” Johan Hamminga said enthusiastically. “The weather was great and there was a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. In all three age categories we saw horses with a lot of potential, which were also well ridden and performed solid tests. Especially for the seven-year-olds, the test is quite demanding, but we saw some very nice horses in the arena.”

Improved tests
The bar is set high at the World Championships in Verden, not only in terms of quality but also regarding training and harmony. “Riders increasingly understand what is required, and overall the standard of riding was good. The technical execution of the tests continues to improve; there is definitely an upward trend compared to previous years. At a first selection, we primarily look at the quality of both rider and horse, but we also pay close attention to the technical execution of the test.”

Selected horses
In total, the selection committee referred 22 five-year-olds, 17 six-year-olds and 13 seven-year-old dressage horses to the second selection round.

Five-year-olds:

• Dante’s Empire (s.Dante Weltino) with Moisés Jover Azuar
• Lord Charmeur (s.Lord Europe) with Janina Tietze
• Pepijn van het Brabantshof (s.Boet 516) with Shannon van Manen
• Radetsky H (s.Lennox U.S.) with Cynthia Eggenkamp
• Ratina-Ray (s.Fürst Dior) with Demy Kurstjens
• Ready to Rumble (s.Le Formidable) with Saskia Poel
• Real Dream (s.Dynamic Dream) with Charlotte Fry
• Red Rock (s.Mowgli V.O.D.) with Geertje Hoogendoorn
• Rendez-Vous (s.Kjento) with Moisés Jover Azuar
• Renzo (s.Kjento) with Charlotte Fry
• Rituals De La Fazenda (s.Magnum De La Fazenda) with Thalia Rockx
• Rivivi Litchy US (s.Liamant W) with Moisés Jover Azuar
• Robijn Vda (s.Vitalis) with Cynthia Eggenkamp
• Rockstar (s.Le Formidable) with Saskia Poel
• Rockstar Millionaire (s.D’Avie) with Cynthia Eggenkamp
• Roebel (s.Romanov) with Kim Noordijk
• Roller-Coaster DH (s.Johnny Depp) with Rosa Vlaar
• Rose-Bel Taonga (s.Kjento) with Franka Loos
• Roseville (s.Blue Hors Monte Carlo TC) with Jesslin Vinkesteijn
• Royal Esther Svn (s.Glock’s Toto Jr.) with Danielle Heijkoop
• Rubinella Dh (s.Jameson RS2) with Isabel Lienesch
• Rufus Van ’T Houtsche (s.Jameson RS2) with Lotje Schoots

Six-year-olds:

• Fiji (s.For Romance) with Kim Alting
• Franzmann (s.Fürstenball) with Beatrice Arturi
• Mattie P Fan Dulve (s.Pier 448) with Danielle Heijkoop
• Oege van Cayenne Stables (s.Yme 507) with Zoë Kuintjes
• Panamera (s.Vivaldi) with Astrid Langeberg
• Paulo WM (s.Kjento) with Marieke Cobben
• Perfect Ritme (s.Lord Europe) with Kim Noordijk
• Pina Colada (s.Governor) with Kirsten Brouwer
• Pitch Perfect (s.Le Formidable) with Vai Bruntink
• Pjethro (s.Kjento) with Charlotte Fry
• Plenza (s.Kensington) with Daria Sushchinskaya
• Prada ND (s.Kjento) with Lieke Knook
• Prosecco TC (s.Joop TC) with Lennart Bos
• Puy du Fou (s.Donier) with Sophie Welmers
• Pythagoras Wk (s.All at Once) with Franka Loos
• Roman Empire (s.Romanov) with Bart Veeze
• Tie Break (s.Glock’s Toto Jr.) with Leonie Richter

Seven-year-olds:

• Hexagon’s Oprahmanda (s.Diamond Hit) with Tessa Kole
• Jedokus Hof (s.Nane 492) with Bennie van Es
• O Curro (s.Havanna II) with Marijke van Schaik
• Oberon (s.Kensington) with Daria Sushchinskaya
• Obredho (s.Johnson) with Brecht D’Hoore
• Obsession Taonga (s.Vitalis) with Lara van Nek
• Ocarl (s.Glock’s Toto Jr.) with Thalia Rockx
• Odi Murona (s.Blue Hors Farrell) with Tessa Kole
• Oliviera 3 (s.Sezuan’s Donnerhall) with Marina Welbers
• Olympia W (s.Ebony) with Vai Bruntink
• Ortisei (s.Glock’s Toto Jr.) with Julia Groenhart
• O’Toto van de Wimphof (s.Glock’s Toto Jr.) with Diederik van Silfhout
• Ozstralis Cottinglee (s.Sir Donnerhall) with Kirsten Brouwer

Follow-up selection process
The second selection will take place in Delft on 26 and 27 May. These dates have been adjusted due to overlap with the Dutch Dressage Championships. In addition to the selected horses, several combinations that were absent during the first selection with a valid veterinary certificate will also compete. They will have the opportunity to present themselves to the selection committee, provided they submit a video presentation in advance. The second selection also serves as the entry point for wildcard combinations. On 22 June, the best twelve horses per age group will return to Ermelo for the final selection.

Schematic overview of the selection process

Selection criteria

Source: MvE for KWPN
Photo: Wilma Frentz