NOP Foundation without Grand Prix dressage horses in 2025
Focus shifts to young talent as top-level support contracts end
April 10, 2025 at 7:46 AMBy s.wilhelm
The NOP Foundation has confirmed that, as of this season, no Grand Prix dressage horses are currently under its sponsorship. This is the first time since the programme’s relaunch in 2013 that no active dressage horse carries the N.O.P. suffix in international competition.
The foundation, which aims to keep Team NL-calibre horses in Dutch ownership through financial support to their owners, recently saw its last three Grand Prix dressage horses leave the programme—with no new additions to replace them.
Despite the Netherlands’ dominance in breeding, especially through the KWPN, the foundation has been unable to contract new Grand Prix-level dressage horses. Board member Joyce Heuitink-van Rooijen cited several reasons, including a lack of need from owners and horses temporarily not meeting performance criteria.
To counterbalance this gap, the foundation has launched the N.O.P.T. initiative, aimed at supporting talented young dressage horses expected to reach top sport in the near future.
As the 2025 outdoor season begins, the NOP programme continues to support five showjumpers, three para dressage horses, and one eventer, while it keeps its sights on future stars in the dressage arena.
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