General terms and guidelines
- Registration for participation in the championship takes place by completing the registration form and by payment of the registration fee.
- The horses/foals participating in the Z-Festival must be registered with Studbook Zangersheide V.Z.W. after their birth and, at the time of registration, must be owned by a member of Zangersheide.
- The organization reserves the right to introduce a registration stop if the number of participants becomes too large. Registrations are recorded based on the online registration and processed in order of receipt.
- All participating horses must be vaccinated against influenza and tetanus. This also applies to the (pregnant) mares, but not to the foals. Vaccination certificates must be presented on site upon request.
- The handler and/or assistant must wear a Zangersheide outfit (Zangersheide jacket, vest and polo and jeans). Zangersheide clothing is available prior to the event at the Zangersheide stand or online via our webshop.
- A stable can be reserved for a fee, depending on the location of the championship and the number of available stables. As the number of stables is limited, we recommend reserving in time. Owners who come from far away are given priority in the allocation of a stable.
- Attendance and participation in the championship are entirely at one’s own risk. The staff of the organization, including doctors, veterinarians, etc., cannot be held liable for damage and/or accidents during the event.
- In matters not provided for in the regulations, the organization will make a binding decision. The organization also reserves the right to amend the program provisions at its own discretion, to cancel, interrupt and/or terminate the presentation if it deems this necessary for any reason. The organization cannot be held liable for any adverse consequences/costs for participants resulting from this.
- By registering, the owners/submitters declare that they agree with these terms and guidelines for the championship and the general auction conditions that can be found on www.zangersheide.com and/or obtained via [email protected]. Upon registration, your foal will automatically be eligible for auction selection, unless you state otherwise.
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www.zangersheide.com
Foal Championship
1. The registration fee amounts to €70, excluding VAT, per foal.
2. Registration for the foal championship is final after confirmation by the Studbook. This confirmation letter will also state the starting time.
3. Participation is open to foals born in 2026, older than 4 weeks, and registered in Studbook Zangersheide V.Z.W.
4. All participating foals must be accompanied by their mother. The (pregnant) mares must be vaccinated against influenza and tetanus. Vaccination certificates must be presented on site upon request.
5. The foals are assessed by the inspection committee of Studbook Zangersheide on their future usability as a (jumping) sport horse. The total evaluation is based on five criteria, namely: type, correctness, movement, general impression and dam line. A maximum of 10 points can be awarded for each of these components/criteria.
6. The foals are presented individually with the mare in hand, standing, to the jury, after which they must show walk, trot and canter at liberty. Per catalogue number, one handler (minimum age 16 years) is allowed in the inspection arena. The jury assesses the foals for as long as it deems necessary.
7a. The championship in Belgium takes place in six phases*;
• FRIDAY MORNING (17 July):
Qualification round filly foals born;
18-05-2026 to 18-06-2026 Followed by the
final.
• FRIDAY AFTERNOON (17 July):
Qualification round colt foals born;
18-05-2026 to 18-06-2026 Followed by the
final.
• SATURDAY MORNING (18 July)
Qualification round filly foals born;
17-04-2026 to 17-05-2026 Followed by the
final.
• SATURDAY AFTERNOON (18 July)
Qualification round colt foals born;
17-04-2026 to 17-05-2026 Followed
by the final
• SUNDAY MORNING (19 July)
Qualification round filly foals
born; 01-01-2026 to 16-04-2026
Followed by the final.
• SUNDAY MORNING (19 July):
Qualification round colt foals
born; 01-01-2026 to 16-04-2026
Followed by the final.
*Division subject to change
7b. The championship in Germany, France and the Netherlands takes place each time in 2 phases. A qualification round for filly foals followed by a final round and a qualification round for colt foals followed by the final round.
8. The decision of the jury is binding. The owner of a foal accepts this as the final decision, against which no objection is possible.
9. The prize money amounts to €12,000, divided over the 4 foal championships. The prize money includes a breeders’ premium of 20%, so that, if the owner and breeder of the foal are not the same person, the breeders’ premium will be deducted from the prize money and made available to the breeder.
10. During the championship, the selection for the Zangersheide foal auctions will also take place.
11. The selection takes place independently of the foal championship and based on different criteria. A favorable placing during the foal championship does not automatically lead to selection for the auction.
12. If you want your foal to be eligible for participation in one of our foal auctions, you are obliged to cooperate in the photo and video sessions organized by our team during the championship. Our team will take over your mare and foal and create visual material for the auction catalogue and the website. If no visual material is created with our team, participation in one of our auctions is not possible.
13. It is not permitted to participate with your foal in more than one championship.
Championship free jumping 3-year-old Z-horses (19 July 2026)
1. The registration fee amounts to €70, excluding VAT, per horse.
2. Participation is open to stallions, mares and geldings born in 2023 and registered in Studbook Zangersheide.
3. The 3-year-old Z-horses are assessed by the inspection committee of Studbook Zangersheide on jumping ability. Technique, power and general impression are evaluated. Each of these components/criteria is scored out of 10 points.
4. The 3-year-old horses are presented individually in hand, standing and at walk, after which trot, canter and jumping must be shown at liberty. Free jumping involves jumping at liberty over a line (in particular an entry over a vertical with a trot pole in front and then one stride to a vertical, which is then converted into an ascending oxer).
5. The decision of the jury is binding. The owner of the three-year-old Z-horses accepts this as the final decision, against which no objection is possible.
6. The prize money amounts to €1,000, which is awarded to the ten horses with the highest scores in the final. The prize money includes a breeders’ premium of 10%, so that, if the owner and breeder of the three-year-old are not the same person, the breeders’