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 2027 European Haflinger Championships, a total of 13 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 World Breeding and Sports Association (HWBSA)
Galvanistrasse 38, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
VAT No. IT94120830214
Hosted by
Pferdezentrum Stadl-Paura
Stallamtsweg 1, 4651 Stadl-Paura, Austria
Venue address
Pferdezentrum Stadl-Paura
4651 Stadl-Paura, Austria
GPS: 48° 5′ N, 13° 52′ O
Access via the Aichetfeld Gate.
Arrival from Tuesday, August 24, 2027. The facility is not available before this date. Access via the Aichetfeld Gate. Accommodation directory on haflinger-world.com.
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)
Entries submitted after 15 July will be subject to a late registration fine of 50% of the entry fee, to be transferred to the host immediately.
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
5 classes: Young horses 4-year-olds, 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
FEI age, i.e. as per FEI rules (from 01 January of the year of birth).
Minimum age:
12 years for riders, 16 for drivers and grooms.
Age classes:
- Young horses (riding): 4- and 5-year-olds (incl. 6-year-olds for eventing)
- Young horses (driving): 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds
- Free jumping: 3- and 4-year-olds
- Horses aged 6+ (riding & driving): 6-year-olds and older
- Advanced class (dressage only): 7-year-olds 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
Breeding stallions that are in use for breeding in 2027 and achieve particularly good results in the various competition classes will be awarded a special prize. The award is presented retrospectively. National associations submit a list of participating stallions along with the entry lists.
Special Prize for Youth
A special prize is awarded to riders aged 14–18 years and drivers aged 16–20 years who achieve particularly good results in the various competition classes. The same criteria apply as for the stallion prize. National associations submit a list of participating youth along with the entry lists.
Veterinary Requirements
Equine influenza vaccination
Must be valid. Check on arrival – horses without valid vaccination cannot enter the grounds.
Herpes prevention (FEI)
FEI guidelines must be observed. Temperature measurement via form three days before arrival and during the event.
Arab blood content
Maximum 1.56% (applies to all age classes). Horses must be registered in a Haflinger stud book.
Stay on grounds
Competing horses must remain stabled in provided boxes and must not leave the grounds before the end of the event.
Further details on the FEI Horse Health Requirements (HHR)
Data Privacy (GDPR)
By registering or entering the venue, participants and visitors consent to the collection, processing and forwarding of their data in accordance with the GDPR, to the processing of images and sound recordings and to video surveillance of the entire facility.
General Safety Regulations
Dogs must be kept on a leash throughout the event grounds. Open fires are strictly prohibited, as is charging electric vehicles. Participants take part at their own risk and responsibility. The organizer reserves the right to modify regulations, competition classes and other aspects at its discretion.