The European Haflinger Championships were launched in 2003 by Roland Spitzer as an international competition to showcase the Haflinger’s versatility in equestrian sports and to allow for comparisons across Europe. Today, it is a fixture in the Haflinger world and takes place every three years at a different venue. Since 2015, the Championships have been held under the patronage of the WHBSF, which develops the rules in accordance with international standards and adapts them to the specific characteristics of the breed. The number of contests has grown steadily since then: at the 2026 European Haflinger Championships, a total 10 disciplines will be featured.
Information about the regulations for admission
The technical details for the individual Championship categories will be published at a later date.
Subject to any adjustments made by the relevant international organisations, the difficulty levels of the individual events will remain unchanged compared to the 2024 European Haflinger Championship. The following will also remain unchanged:
- the heights of the obstacles;
- the technical requirements of the courses;
- the competitive standard of the events;
- the general judging criteria for the individual disciplines.
Specific details regarding the individual categories, including for example:
- dressage tests and diagrams;
- patterns for Western disciplines;
- further technical specifications;
will be published once the FEI and the relevant international federations have announced their changes and updates for the coming sporting season.
With regard to the Nations Cup, please note that some changes are currently pending. Details will be announced in a separate statement as soon as the WHBSF Executive Board has taken a decision on the matter.
The final technical documents are still scheduled to be published this year, subject to the timely publication of the international regulations.
Athletes, coaches, national team officials and organising committees are therefore asked to base their sporting preparations, for the time being, on the technical requirements and criteria of the last European Haflinger Championship, until the final regulations are published.
General Information
Organised by
Haflinger Welt-Zucht- und
Sportvereinigung (HWZSV)
Galvanistraße 38
39100 Bozen, Italien
MwSt.-Nr. IT94120830214
Hosted by
Pferdezentrum Stadl-Paura
Stallamtsweg 1
4651 Stadl-Paura, Österreich
Venue address
Pferdezentrum Stadl-Paura
4651 Stadl-Paura, Österreich
GPS: 48° 5′ N, 13° 52′ O
Access to the premises is via the Aichetfeld gate.
Tournament entries and deadlines
by 15. Juni 2027
Preliminary entry – total number of participants to office@haflinger-world.com
by 15. Juli 2027
Final list of entries: submit the total number of participants and the disciplines in which they will compete
by 15. July 2027
Payment of participation fees (collective bank transfer from national organisations to the host)
All entries must be submitted through the respective national organisations. It is the duty and responsibility of each registering organisation to check the validity of the qualifications and the existence of compulsory liability insurance. The organiser and the host do not assume any responsibility whatsoever in this respect.
Participation Fees
| Type | Amount | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Single horse | € 450,00 | In advance |
| Pairs (driving) | € 600,00 | In advance |
| Electricity (whole tournament) | € 100,00 | On-site |
The participation fee includes the box stall package with initial bedding and hay (1 bale). Stabling horses in the provided box stalls is mandatory – no stabling in transport vehicles allowed.Participation fees are non-refundable.
Judges and juries
The judges' team consists of FEI judges or judges with international qualifications. FEI rules apply, unless stated otherwise in the regulations.
Disciplines and tournament classes
Dressage
5 classes: Young horses aged 4, Young horses aged 5, Horses aged 6+ (elementary), Horses aged 6+ (medium), Advanced class (horses aged 7+)
Show Jumping
2 classes: Young horses, Horses aged 6+
Eventing
2 classes: Young horses, Horses aged 6+
Driving
4 classes: Young horses 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, Horses aged 6+: singles, pairs
Working Equitation
2 classes: Young horses, Horses aged 6+
Mountain Trail
1 class: General class (5 years and older)
Free Jumping
1 class: 3- and 4-year-olds
Western Trail
2 classes: Young horses, Horses aged 6+
Ranch Riding
2 classes: Young horses, Horses aged 6+
Working Western Rail
2 classes: Young horses, Horses aged 6+
Western Horsemanship
2 classes: Young horses, Horses aged 6+
Nations Cup
1 class: General class (Team standings)
Six Bar Competition
Show contest only – no Championship title
Minimum age: 12 years for riders, 16 for drivers and grooms.
Age classes:
Young horses (riding): 4 and 5 years (incl. 6 years for eventing) · Young horses (driving): 5 and 6 years · Free jumping: 3 and 4 years · Horses aged 6+ (riding & driving): 6 years and older · Advanced class (dressage only): 7 years and older.
Participation quota: up to 15 participants per tournament class per nation; the member organisation of the host country is entitled to double the quota.
Max. disciplines per horse:Each horse may compete in a maximum of 2 disciplines (except eventing, driving and young horse classes → only 1 discipline/class). In Western disciplines, each horse may compete in up to 4 disciplines with one participant.
Special Prizes
Special Prize for Breeding Stallions
Stallions available for breeding in 2027 and with outstanding results in the individual tournament classes will be awarded a special prize, which will be presented after the event. The national organisations must submit a list of the competing stallions along with the participant lists.
Special Prize for Young Riders and Drivers
A special prize will be awarded toriders aged 14–18anddrivers aged 16–20who achieve particularly good results in the various tournament classes. The same criteria apply as for the special prize for stallions. The national federations are to submit a list of the competing young athletes along with the participant lists.
Veterinary Requirements
Equine influenza vaccination
Must be current. Checked upon arrival – horses without a complete and intact vaccination will not be admitted to the venue grounds.
Herpes prevention (FEI)
FEI guidelines must be followed. Temperature must be taken and recorded using the enclosed form 3 days before arrival and during the event.
Arab blood percentage
Maximum 1.56% (all ages). Horses must be registered in a Haflinger stud book.
Stay on the premises
Participating horses must remain in the provided box stalls and may not leave the venue grounds before the end of the championship.
Data Privacy (GDPR)
Upon registering or entering the venue, all participants and visitors consent to the collection, processing and forwarding of their data in accordance with the GDPR, to the processing of their images and audio material, and to CCTV video surveillance of the entire facility.
General Safety Regulations
Dogs must be kept on a lead on the entire venue grounds. Open fires are strictly prohibited without exception, as is the charging of electric vehicles. All participants take part at their own risk and with full liability. The organiser may amend provisions, tournament classes and other aspects at their own discretion.