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.
Regarding the Nations Cup, changes are currently being planned. These will be announced in a separate notice as soon as the World Federation's Board of Directors has approved them.
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 & Arrival
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 & Deadlines
by 15. Juni 2027
Preliminary entry – total number of participants to office@haflinger-world.com
by 15. Juli 2027
Final list of entries: total number of participants and the disciplines in which they will compete
by 15. July 2027
Payment of participation fees (collective transfer from national federations to the host)
All entries must be submitted via the respective national federations. It is the duty and responsibility of each registering federation to check the validity of the qualifications and the existence of compulsory liability insurance. The organiser and host are released from any related liability.
Participation Fees
| Description | Amount | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| 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 & Jury
The judges' team consists of FEI judges or judges with international qualifications. FEI regulations apply, unless stated otherwise in these regulations.
Disciplines & Tournament Classes
Dressage
5 classes: Young horses 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, Horses aged 6+ (elementary), Horses aged 6+ (medium), Advanced class (7 and older)
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
Exhibition test – no championship title
Minimum age: 12 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: A horse may compete in a maximum of 2 disciplines (except eventing, driving and young horse classes → only 1 discipline/class). In Western disciplines, a 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. The prize is awarded at a later stage. The national federations are to 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 to riders aged 14–18 and drivers aged 16–20 who 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.