Spring Games 2027 / Competition
FEEL THE HEAT.
SHARE THE PASSION.
The sound of steel. The focus around the anvil. The crowd right beside you. This is farriery at its most exciting.
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Competition / 2027
Your competition starts here.
The 2027 classes, entry requirements, judges and competition schedule will be added here. Check the ticketshop for currently available entries; the detailed 2027 competition documents will be added here.
The new Legend Class (55+) is confirmed for 2027 and has been added by special request. The judging teams for Open and Intermediate/Novice are now confirmed; the Legend Class judge or judges will follow. Remaining class details, entry requirements, schedule and competition documents are still being finalised.
Legend Class — 55+
A brand-new competition class for experienced farriers aged 55 and over. Added to the 2027 programme after special requests from the community.
The competition
Under pressure.
Among friends.
Every hammer blow matters. From the first spark to the final finish, the competition is a celebration of skill, determination and respect for the craft.
Competing or cheering from the sidelines? There is a place for you at the Spring Games.
Competition information →
Moments from earlier Spring Games editions.
Craft, preparation and respect
More than a place
on the scoreboard.
The Spring Games competition brings farriers together around a shared challenge: show your skill, work with focus and keep improving. The original competition programme combines the precision of specimen work with the pressure of timed rounds and the excitement of a final.
For spectators, it is a chance to see different approaches up close. Watch how farriers organise their work, shape their shoes and solve a problem under pressure. For competitors, it is also a place to exchange ideas and meet people who take the same pride in their craft.
For 2027, the competition includes Novice, Intermediate and Open, plus the new Legend Class for farriers aged 55+, introduced by special request. The Legend Class requires at least 10 confirmed participants to go ahead.
Judges 2027
Experience at the anvil.
Eyes on every detail.
The first judges for Spring Games 2027 are confirmed. The judging team combines competition experience, teaching, international judging and a deep understanding of the craft.
Open Class
Confirmed
Daniel Bennett AWCF
Farrier, competitor and international judge with decades of experience. British Army trained, a lecturer at the Hereford School of Farriery and long involved in major farriery competitions.
Andrea Ridolfo
Italian farrier, international competitor and experienced toolmaker. Andrea has competed across Europe and has a long connection with the Werkman Spring Games.
Intermediate & Novice / Student Class
Confirmed
Tobias Villsen
Danish farrier active since 1998 and competing since 1999. Tobias has won classes and international championships, judged internationally, taught clinics and worked as an examiner and farriery educator.
Christoph Schweppe
German Master Farrier and teacher from Dortmund, with his own farrier school and international competition experience. A fuller personal profile will follow.
Legend Class · 55+
To be announcedThe judge or judges for the new Legend Class will be announced later. The class itself is confirmed for 2027, subject to the minimum of 10 confirmed competitors.
Prepare your visit
Competition information,
in one place.
Classes & entry
For 2027, entries include Open, Intermediate, Novice and the new Legend Class for competitors aged 55+. Legend has the same regular price structure as Open/Intermediate. It requires at least 10 confirmed participants to go ahead. Check the ticketshop for current availability and final entry requirements. Questions about the right class? Contact our team.
Specimens, rules & equipment
Specimens, equipment requirements and the official 2027 competition documents will be published here once confirmed.
Judges, rounds & scoring
The 2027 judges for Open and Intermediate/Novice are confirmed and shown above. The Legend Class judging team, detailed timetable and scoring information will follow.
Where should competitors stay?
For 2027, the planned preferred hotels are Van der Valk Groningen–Hoogkerk and Flonk Hotel Groningen Zuid. A special Spring Games rate is expected, with the booking code to follow. Hotel-to-event transport is also expected to run only from these two preferred hotels. View accommodation details →
What is included in a complete competition ticket?
A complete ticket includes 9 drink tokens, 1 dinner and 1 lunch, plus the competition access stated in the booking description.
How is the competition checkout total calculated?
Competition prices are shown excluding VAT, including 21% Dutch VAT and as an expected checkout total. The checkout total is calculated as: base price + 21% VAT + €1.00 service fee, followed by the 1.8% booking fee.
Competition prices 2027
Pick your class.
Know the full cost.
Regular public-sale prices for the 2027 competition. We show the base price, Dutch VAT and the expected final checkout total separately.
| Competition class | Excl. VAT | Incl. 21% VAT | Checkout total* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Class | €549.00 | €664.29 | €677.27 |
| Intermediate Class | €549.00 | €664.29 | €677.27 |
| Legend Class — NEW · 55+ | €549.00 | €664.29 | €677.27 |
| Novice Class | €349.00 | €422.29 | €430.91 |
Partner ticket
| Ticket | Excl. VAT | Incl. 21% VAT | Checkout total* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partner ticket | €149.00 | €180.29 | €184.55 |
For accompanying guests. Not intended as a professional competition or lecture ticket.
Base price excluding VAT → +21% Dutch VAT → +€1.00 service fee → +1.8% booking fee. The total shown in the final column is the expected checkout amount, rounded to two decimals.
What’s included
More than a ticket.
Your event experience is included.
Exact inclusions depend on the ticket type selected. The booking flow always shows the current 2027 package details before payment.
International business visitors: Dutch VAT is charged because the event takes place in the Netherlands. Foreign businesses may be eligible to reclaim Dutch VAT under the applicable VAT-refund rules. EU businesses normally submit the refund request through the tax authority in their country of establishment. Eligibility depends on your business and tax situation; please check with your own tax authority or adviser.
Competition essentials
Serious competition.
Clear expectations.
The Spring Games competition has grown into one of the major international farrier competitions. For 2027 we keep the proven structure: clear classes, timed rounds, professional judging and a strong focus on craftsmanship under pressure.
Open · Intermediate · Novice · Legend 55+.
The 2027 competition offers clear class options for experienced competitors, developing farriers and the new Legend Class for competitors aged 55+.
Know the details before the first heat.
Scoring, specimens, surprise elements, equipment requirements and practical competition rules will be confirmed in the official 2027 competitor briefing.
Every detail counts.
Time limits, finish, nail fit and technical execution matter. The official 2027 regulations and specimen sheets will be published here as soon as they are final.
The definitive 2027 equipment list will be published together with the official competition regulations.
