Dutch Pony Championship 2025 launched: an edition full of sport, talent and a special award

Registration for the Dutch Pony Championship 2025 is open. The popular competition for young dressage and show jumping ponies will again focus on development, sportsmanship and talent recognition. With a familiar jury panel, beautiful competition venues, commitment from three major studbooks and a special new prize in the finals, it promises to be a promising season for the pony youth.

Focused on training and experience for young ponies

The Dutch Pony Championship (DPC) focuses on the athletic development of 4-, 5- and 6-year-old ponies in both dressage and show jumping. The event offers young combinations the chance to gain competition experience in a professional environment. Here the emphasis is not only on the result, but especially on harmony, rideability and the training path of the pony.

Due to the small-scale and purposeful nature of the championship, the DPC has grown into a serious platform for talented combinations as well as a nice showcase for breeders and trainers. The competition is made possible by the three well-known pony studbooks in the Netherlands: NWPCS, NRPS and NNFPS.

Fairness central to finals

A notable addition this season is the introduction of the Fairness Award. This award will be presented during the finals in both the dressage and show jumping classes, and in all three age categories. The award rewards combinations that excel in harmony and sportsmanship, putting well-being and partnership with the pony first.

The award is supported by sponsor Rower & Rub and provides an additional incentive for riders not only to perform well technically, but also to treat their pony fairly and responsibly.

Judging in hands of experienced panel

The judging of the sections is again in the hands of an established and expert judging team:

Bart Bax - KNHS coach level 5, KWPN inspector, judge up to and including Zware Tour
Trudi Houwen - Trainer coach 5, president NWPCS, active judge for NWPCS and NRPS
Paulien Alberts - Instructor level 4, judge Light Tour, freestyle and modified sport
These judges will each take care of two of the selection competitions. In addition, a number of guest judges have now been confirmed, including Mara de Vries (Asten), Bastiaan de Recht (Wezep), Aniek and Femke de Laat (Heerewaarden) and Kim Alting (Lunteren, Aug. 13).

This is the calendar - sign up now!

Selection competitions for dressage start in early June and run through the end of August. The dressage final will take place on September 6 in Lathum. Jumping combinations register directly in due time for the Jumping DPC on October 4, also in Lathum.

Competition dates for dressage selections 2025:

June 7 - GP Stables, Asten
June 26 - Mega Welsh Event, Wezep
July 12 - Stallion Station Van Uytert, Heerewaarden
July 26 - NNFPS inspection, Lunteren
August 13 - NRPS inspection, Lunteren
August 23 - NWPCS inspection, Houten
Final dressage: September 6 - Lathum
Jumping DPC (open enrollment): October 4 - Lathum
Interested combinations can sign up to participate starting now.