Open Class
The highest level within the competition, intended for participants with extensive competition experience.
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Werkman Spring Games 2027 / International Farrier 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.
Choose your competition ticket →Explore competition ↓Save the date15–17 April 2027
The meeting placeTolbert, The Netherlands
Made for our communityMeet. Learn. Compete.
Questions? Start here.
Ask the team?
Ask about tickets, competition, lectures, travel, hotels, food or the programme.
What would you like to know?
What’s included in my ticket? What does my ticket cost in total? Which competition class should I enter? Where can I find the competition rules? What do the lectures cost? What happens on each day? Where can I stay? Which hotels are the preferred hotels? Is there a hotel shuttle? How do I travel from Schiphol? Can I reclaim Dutch VAT? What food and music is there? What happens on Thursday evening? Who is playing on Friday night? Who is playing on Saturday night? Is there live music during the day? Which brands will be at the tradeshow? How do I contact the team?
Smart search through the 2027 event information. Suggested questions are curated by the team; anonymous usage statistics help us improve their order. Your free-text question is not stored.
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.
OVER 100 SPRING GAMES TICKETS ALREADY SOLD.
Participants already registered from: USA · France · Germany · Netherlands · Venezuela · Sweden · UK · Denmark · Italy
More than a ticket — here’s what’s included:
Full-event ticket: 9 drink tokens, 1 dinner & 1 lunchEvening parties with live music included
✓ Competition entry covers your selected class; lectures are not included. Legends 55+: Saturday lectures included.
2027 UPDATECompetition information is being completed.
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 Legends 55+ judges are Joop Wijnen and Philip Tijdink. We are finalising the competition information, official rules and regulations, and the specimen shoes for 2027. Further details are expected around December 2026 and will be shared on our website and social media once finalised.
Choosing your class
Which competition class
should I enter?
Choose the class that best matches your competition experience and current level.
Intermediate Class
A strong fit for regular competitors. The right choice depends on your experience and competition background.
Novice Class
Intended for students and apprentices who are still in training.
Legend Class · 55+
For competitors aged 55 and over. The class will take place with a minimum of 10 confirmed entries.
Legends 55+ · 2027
THE LEGENDS 55+ — Experience Meets Craftsmanship
One generation. A lifetime of craftsmanship. One unforgettable gathering.
This division celebrates craftsmanship, friendship and a generation that has given so much to our trade. A friendly, rewarding challenge gives experienced farriers the chance to share their skills with the public and the next generation. The programme is designed to be enjoyable, with time to meet old friends, exchange experiences and visit lectures and demonstrations — without an exhausting competition day.
Age: 55+New for 2027Regular: €549 excl. VATMinimum: 10 competitorsFriday 16 April 2027 onlyTwo models in 60 minutesSaturday lectures included
Judges: Joop Wijnen & Philip Tijdink. Photos and biographies will follow.
Important: the Legend Class will only go ahead with a minimum of 10 confirmed participants. If fewer than 10 competitors register, this class will not be held.
Because true craftsmanship never gets old.
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.
Why Werkman believes in competition
Competition sharpens the craft.
For Werkman Hoofcare, competition is not about putting a brand centre stage. It is where technique is tested, standards rise and farriers learn from one another. That is why competition has always been at the heart of the Spring Games.
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
United Kingdom
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.
Italy
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
Denmark
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.
Germany
Christoph Schweppe
German Master Farrier and teacher from Dortmund, with his own farrier school and international competition experience.
Legends 55+
Judges
Netherlands
Joop Wijnen
The first Dutchman nominated for the EFFA Hall of Fame, Joop has made a significant contribution to the Dutch and Finnish farrier communities. With decades of experience, he trains the next generation of farriers, driven by craftsmanship and a commitment to quality.
Netherlands
Philip Tijdink
An experienced farrier and educator, Philip equips the next generation with the skills and knowledge to succeed. His work is driven by passion, craftsmanship and the highest standards of quality.
Prepare your visit
Competition information,
in one place.
Which competition class should I enter?
The Open Class is the highest level within the competition and is intended for participants with extensive competition experience. The Intermediate Class may be a better fit for regular competitors, depending on your experience and competition background. The Novice Class is intended for students and apprentices who are still in training. The Legend Class is for competitors aged 55+ and will take place with a minimum of 10 confirmed entries. If you are unsure which class best suits you, contact our team.
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 Legends 55+ judges are Joop Wijnen and Philip Tijdink. 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.
How the checkout total is calculated
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.
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.
Payment-method fees: The prices shown do not include any additional fees that may be charged for certain payment methods or cards, including where applicable PayPal, Klarna or American Express. Any such charge is shown in the checkout before payment.
What’s included
More than a ticket.
Your event experience is included.
Complete / full-event ticket
9 drink tokens1 dinner1 lunch
Day ticket
3 drinks1 lunch
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.
Choose your competition ticket →
Full-event ticket: 9 drink tokens, 1 dinner & 1 lunch. Evening parties with live music included.
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.
Tickets & access
Competition and lectures:
know your access.
Does a competition or lecture ticket give access to both programmes?
No. A competition ticket gives access to the competition programme stated on that ticket, but not to the lectures. A lecture ticket gives access to the lecture programme and does not include competition registration or participation. Lecture ticket holders are, however, welcome to watch the competition as spectators in the riding arena, for example during a break in the lecture programme. The lectures take place in the venue directly next to the riding arena. The competition and lecture programmes run at the same time, so it is not possible to follow both programmes in full.
Legends 55+: Friday 16 April 2027 only. Saturday lectures included.
COMPETITION · STAY UPDATED
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